Bringing hope and healing through

FAITH-INFORmED counseling

652 Jenks Ave Panama City, FL 32401

APPOINTMENT REQUEST

At your first appointment, we’ll take care of a few simple forms and spend time getting to know each other. From there, our work together will focus on evidence-based care that’s grounded in your faith, with a clear path toward your goals.

At The Hope Center, we typically provide short-term counseling, averaging about 5–10 sessions.

Each session is 50 minutes, and we’ll continue meeting as needed until your goals are reached.

Requests to make an appointment will be available soon.

Mission

The Hope Center exists to provide compassionate, faith-informed counseling that integrates biblical truth and clinical excellence, bringing healing, restoration, and lasting hope to individuals, families, and the broader community.

About us

The Hope Center is a ministry of First Baptist Church of Panama City, Florida. Our desire is to walk alongside you as you pursue clarity, healing, and renewed hope. We believe that through God’s grace, you are equipped with the resilience and inner strength needed to navigate even life’s most difficult seasons. Our role is to provide a compassionate, supportive environment where you can access the spiritual and emotional resources necessary for restoration.

During our time together, we will listen carefully to your story, ask thoughtful, purposeful questions, and help you identify patterns that may be limiting your growth. As we discern these together, we will offer insight with honesty, grace, and care.

At The Hope Center, we are a Christian counseling ministry committed to integrating biblical truth with clinically sound therapeutic practices. We believe God provides for our healing through His Word, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the practical tools discovered through effective clinical care.

We recognize that individuals are shaped by spiritual, emotional, and physical influences. Scripture speaks clearly about the presence of spiritual opposition, and we approach these realities with wisdom, discernment, compassion, and truth. Our aim is to provide care that is both spiritually grounded and clinically responsible, helping you move toward lasting healing and wholeness.

Services

The Hope Center provides a range of counseling services tailored to address various mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges for adults, couples, families, and adolescents. Our licensed therapists are trained to offer specialized support for areas including:

  • Depression

  • Anxiety

  • Divorce Recovery

  • Marriage Counseling

  • Affair Recovery

  • Blended Family

  • Sexual Brokenness

  • Trauma

  • PTSD

  • Moral Injury

  • Spiritual Formation

  • Grief/Loss

  • Anger

  • Personal Growth

Director

With more than 25 years of experience in the United States Military, Joel concluded his service with 15 years in the US Army as a Chaplain. He holds a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Temple Baptist Seminary and a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Texas A&M University – Central Texas. He is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Florida and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry in Pastoral Counseling through Liberty University. During his final military assignment in the US Army, Joel served as the Deputy Command Chaplain (Family Life Chaplain) with the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), providing pastoral care, counseling, and training to Soldiers, their families, and staff. Joel has conducted over 10,000 hours of marriage retreats, relationship seminars, and counseling sessions. Joel is dedicated to helping individuals realize their full potential through his pastoral demeanor and clinical expertise, offering hope, healing, and restoration. He approaches his work with compassion, conveying truth and grace through God’s love. Joel is dedicated to creating an environment where clients feel heard, valued, and hopeful. He emphasizes the development of relational and practical skills that facilitate meaningful changes in daily life, beyond mere information and insight. Joel’s passion and skill set enable him to be effective working with couples, trauma, spiritual development, and the Veteran/Military population.

Associate Pastor of Military Ministry and Counseling

Chaplain (MAJ, USA Ret)

Licensed Family and Marriage Therapist

JOEL BRITTON