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About the Episode

In this episode of the Hope + Help Podcast, host Christine Chappell interviews Neal Grogan about the topic of post-traumatic stress care. During the conversation, Neal shares his personal journey through trauma, his ministry work with Mighty Oaks, and a practical biblical counseling framework for walking alongside those who suffer from PTS. Neal also offers suggestions for avoiding common pitfalls in this soul care context, and highlights the importance of fostering hope through biblical principles. This interview serves to introduce IBCD’s newest observation case study series—“Counseling Care for Post-Traumatic Stress”—which is now available exclusively on IBCD Connect.

About the Guest

Neal Grogan is the Aftercare Manager and Chaplain at the Mighty Oaks Foundation. A proud native of Dallas, he married his childhood sweetheart, Britney, in 2010. Neal served as an infantryman in the U.S. Marine Corps, participating in combat operations in Afghanistan. Upon returning home, he faced the challenges of PTSD, which ultimately deepened his faith in the gospel and ignited a passion for sharing the hope of Christ with fellow veterans and active service members. This journey led him to serve as a pastor and church planter near Fort Hood, Texas, where he dedicated himself to supporting active-duty personnel until July 2024. Neal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and an M.Div. in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and Britney are blessed with four children: Michael, Titus, Sarai, and Zion.

 

About “Counseling Care for Post-Traumatic Stress”


In these observation videos, you will meet “Karl Winthorp,” a police officer who was recently in an officer-involved shooting. After two tours with the Marine Corps in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the stressors of being an officer, he is growing increasingly angry and unable to sleep. He tries to keep his work and home life separate, but lately the barrier is breaking down and he finds himself lashing out at both his wife and their 12-year-old son. In an effort to control the situation he has been isolating himself from his family. He fears he is becoming his father, the very thing he determined he would never do. How could a good God allow all the suffering Karl has seen and experienced? Counseling him is Pastor and Mighty Oaks Mentor Matt Statler.

Learn more about this training and subscribe to IBCD Connect here.

About the Host
Christine M. Chappell
Christine is a certified biblical counselor and host of the Hope + Help Podcast for the Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship. She is the author of several books and minibooks, including Lament: Crying Out in Faith, Midnight Mercies: Walking with God through Depression in Motherhood, and Postpartum Depression: Hope for a Hard Season. She currently serves as a council member for the Biblical Counseling Coalition and is a regular speaker at women’s events and conferences. Christine lives in South Carolina with her husband and three children, and is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Easley.
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