Elise Fitzpatrick

Posted on by Greg E. Gifford

Elyse Fitzpatrick

by Julie Carroll

Fitzpatrick

1. Known for

Elyse Fitzpatrick is known for her work in the area of biblical counseling—writing and speaking on the subject.

2. Biography

Fitzpatrick was born in 1950 with the place of her birth is unknown, although she currently resides in Escondido, CA.

A. Parents

Fitzpatrick’s parents are unknown, but Fitzpatrick has stated that she grew up in a ‘marginally Christian home.’

B. Education

She holds a bachelor’s degree in theology, a master’s degree in biblical counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary and was the first person to be certified through the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. She also became a member with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (now the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors) in 1989.

C. Significant life events that impacted person

Elyse Fitzpatrick was raised in a secular home; therefore, she never really heard the Gospel message until right before her 21st birthday. She was befriended by a woman named Julie who is still her friend today. Julie shared the Gospel with Fitzpatrick, and the message was revolutionary since she was saved shortly after hearing it for the first time. After becoming saved in June of 1971, she began bible school in September of that same year. The Gospel revolutionized her life once more just recently as she was realizing that it had become secondary in importance to her counseling work. This took place during the writing of Because He Loves Me.

In her book Home, Fitzpatrick talks about several tragic events that impacted her greatly. A ministry she had involved herself in fell apart. Her home church went through certain issues that brought her great pain. Two acquaintances left their pastoral positions. Then her uncle, who had been a father figure in her life, died.

III. Theological Views

Fitzpatrick’s believes in the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. God is the Creator of the universe; Jesus is the One Who died for our sins and offers us free eternal life; and the Holy Spirit is the One Who empowers us.

Fitzpatrick believes that the Bible is ‘God’s revelation of truth.’ It is ‘the only book that can correctly diagnose our sin problem.’

Fitzpatrick has stated that man is sinful: ‘We sin. Others sin against us. We live in a sin-cursed world.’

IV. Works/Publications

A. Books

Elyse Fitzpatrick’s books can be found at this link:

https://www.christianbook.com/page/christian-authors/elyse-fitzpatrick?event=Christian-Authors|1002162

B. Pamphlets

C. Articles

Elyse Fitzpatrick’s own website is a great resource for her writings:

https://www.elysefitzpatrick.com/blog/

Some of her articles can be found at The Gospel Coalition:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/profile/elyse-fitzpatrick/

Another great resource for finding articles written by Fitzpatrick would be the Revive Our Hearts website:

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/authors/elyse-fitzpatrick/

D. Interviews

Interviews with Elyse Fitzpatrick can be found at this link:

https://ibcd.org/?s=elyse+fitzpatrick

E. Audio

Video references can be found at RightNow Media:

https://www.rightnowmedia.org/Content/Speaker/999693

F. Influence on Biblical Counseling

Fitzpatrick, being the first certified counselor by Christian Counselor’s Educational Foundation, has had a great influence on the area of biblical counseling. From the very start, she has been very influential to the style in which counselors are taught. She is an outspoken supporter of women counseling women; she believes that women should seek degrees and certification in order to counsel solidly.

G. Bibliography

A list of her books are as follows:

Overcoming Fear, Worry, and Anxiety

Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone

Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time

Love to Eat, Hate to Eat: Overcoming the Bondage of Destructive Eating Habits

Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women

Answering Your Kid’s Toughest Questions: Helping Them Understand Loss, Sin, Tragedies, and Other Hard Topics

Good News for Weary Women: Escaping the Bondage of To-Do Lists, Steps and Bad Advice

When Good Kids Make Bad Choices: Help and Hope for Hurting Parents

Finding the Love of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation

Home: How Heaven and the New Earth Satisfy our Deepest Longings

The Afternoon of Life: How to Find Purpose and Joy in Midlife

Helper by Design

A Steadfast Heart: Experiencing God’s Comfort in Life’s Storms

Doubt: Trusting God’s Promises

You Never Stop Being a Parent: Thriving in Relationship with Your Adult Children

Women Counseling Women

Comfort from Romans: Celebrating God’s Word One Day at a Time

Will Medicine Stop the Pain? Finding God’s Healing for Depression, Anxiety, & Other Troubling Emotions

Because He Loves Me

Giving Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus

Found in Him: The Joy of the Incarnation and Our Union with Christ

Exploring Grace Together: 40 Devotionals for the Family