The Good Tree

At The Good Tree, our soul care services are dedicated to nurturing and tending to the deepest and most vital parts of the human person. Throughout the history of Christian spirituality, a timeless question has been asked: “How are things with your soul?” Take a moment to reflect on this question yourself.

Throughout the journey of life, our souls experience different seasons. There are times when we thrive with excitement, growth, and a profound sense of connection with God. And there are moments when we find ourselves in dark and lonely places, feeling distant from the comforts and presence of God. No matter the state of your soul, The Good Tree provides a diverse range of soul care services aimed at helping you nurture and care for your soul.

Dr. Walsh has had the privilege of being a part of various church traditions, including Reformed, Baptist, Presbyterian, and non-denominational Christian institutions. He holds a master’s degree in Christian Formation and Soul Care from Denver Seminary, where he had the opportunity to meet Dallas Willard. Dallas Willard’s teachings have deeply influenced Dr. Walsh’s approach to Christian discipleship and character transformation.

Note: Soul Care services at The Good Tree are NOT medical treatment and are NOT medical advice. For mental health services, please visit the Mental Health page.  

 

Spiritual Direction

Are you longing for a deeper connection with the divine? Do you desire guidance on your spiritual journey? Dr. Walsh offers personalized one-on-one spiritual direction sessions, journeying with you on your unique path. We recognize that spirituality is a deeply personal and transformative aspect of life. In spiritual direction, Dr. Walsh will attentively listen with you to your experiences, questions, and yearnings. Through prayer and reflective practices, you will be supported in discerning the whispers of your soul, listening to God’s voice, and aligning your life with God’s will. This transformative process will position you to discover a deep sense of purpose and profound meaning in your life.

Contact The Good Tree today to schedule your personal spiritual direction session. Regardless of your location, nationally or globally, our user-friendly and confidential video conferencing platform allows for seamless and secure virtual sessions.

Please note that spiritual direction services are not covered by health insurance. The fee for each spiritual direction session is $150, and payment is required on the day of your appointment.

 

Discipleship Courses

The Good Tree provides comprehensive discipleship courses designed to offer clear and accessible instructions on how to follow the teachings of Jesus. These courses are presented in everyday language and emphasize practical application in daily life.

The Good Tree’s current discipleship course offering is: “How to Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” Contact The Good Tree for next available course dates.

We take on the character of Jesus by living as his disciples or students, learning from the teacher how to do the things he commanded. And the Greatest Commandment is to love God with our entire being and love our neighbors as we love ourselves. But this begs the question: is anyone teaching you how to do it? After taking this 8-week course, you can no longer say you do not know how to love your neighbor as yourself, as you are presented with knowledge on how to do it with practical application for real life. 

Rather than a long list of things to do for your neighbor, this interactive course walks you through a complete and coherent process of inner character change, culminating in a transformed life that makes you a loving person. The participant is given practical exercises to personalize the material, including determining who your neighbors are and creating a plan for your own personal spiritual growth.

To be notified when discipleship courses become available online, please join the email list below. 

 

Intensive Retreats

Dr. Walsh is a uniquely positioned psychiatrist with seminary training in soul care, offering a truly distinctive combination of training and skills to provide comprehensive care for pastors and leaders. Not only does Dr. Walsh bring a unique ability to navigate mental health and soul care from a Christian perspective, but a 4-day intensive retreat is a rare opportunity to allow for intensive, focused time on your individual needs.

No stranger to the demands of high-level professional work and leadership, Dr. Walsh has over a decade of experience working in various medical environments, from the emergency department, to inpatient psychiatric units, to a local doctor’s office. Additionally, Dr. Walsh has served on pastoral staff at a large church and currently holds the position of president in an organization.

During your 4-day retreat at The Good Tree, you will be Dr. Walsh’s sole client and the center of attention. Considering the limitations of the current fragmented mental health and soul care system, you could potentially wait several months for an evaluation with a psychiatrist. Furthermore, attending weekly or bi-weekly counseling sessions may leave you feeling rushed, with only 45 minutes per session, and unsure of where to find a competent spiritual director, with similar time constraints.

Throughout your Intensive 4-day retreat, you will receive the following (tailored to your specific needs and situation):

1. Psychiatry: Dr. Walsh will conduct a completely confidential psychiatric evaluation, the results of which only you will see. Dr. Walsh will provide recommendations for non-medication and/or medication treatment options as applicable. This unique opportunity allows for an unhurried discussion of medication options with a Christian psychiatrist, addressing a common barrier for Christian leaders.

2. Counseling: You will have ample time to delve into counseling issues in-depth within a completely confidential environment. An intensive 3-4-hour counseling session often yields more meaningful results compared to the fragmented setup of several 45-minute sessions in the typical model. And having opportunity for multiple intensive sessions in the same week accomplishes a significant amount in a comfortable and natural setting.

3. Spiritual Direction: Ample time will be provided for rest, reflection, contemplation, and prayer. Guided practices and discernment will go beyond surface-level symptoms typically addressed in counseling, focusing instead on the current state of your soul—the deepest part of your being—and on what God has specifically for you to hear at this point in your life.

4. Recharge: The retreat offers a chance to disrupt your typical life flow and routine in a peaceful, welcoming, and quaint small-town environment in Dutch small-town Pella, Iowa. You can enjoy the anonymity and explore the local small businesses along a thriving downtown main street, where people still engage in conversations with their neighbors and hurry is an anomaly. Take pleasure in the small delights of a world-class bakery, a local meat market or farmer’s market, and leisurely walks through various parks adorned with flowers and public walkways. You may also experience the town’s vibrant community spirit through events like Thursday night celebrations in Central Park during the summer, a nationally recognized Tulip festival in the Spring, or a Winter Wonderland outdoor market. Additionally, you can appreciate the beautiful scenery of Lake Red Rock and take advantage of the 13-mile bike trail for walking or biking along the lake, connecting all the way to Pella.

Cost for a 4-day intensive retreat is $3500, which does not include travel or lodging expenses. (Note: if planning an intensive retreat around Tulip Time in May, or Winter Market in December, early reservation for local lodging is advised).  

Call to schedule your intensive 4-day retreat today.