A path to freedom
The Christian pastoral care programme «12 Steps»
If you are tired of living in anxiety, guilt, constant control or dependent relationships -there is a way out.
About the programme
This is a spiritual and psychological recovery programme built on biblical principles, the experience of thousands of people and current knowledge about codependency.
It is a realistic path to healing and change, precisely because it offers no quick fixes.
The programme draws on the international 12 Steps movement, which has been helping people with a wide range of struggles for 80 years.
Who this is for
- You live with anxiety, fear or guilt
- You are in a relationship with someone who has an addiction
- You have survived physical, sexual or emotional abuse
- You are going through a life crisis or struggle to connect with people
- You want to understand yourself better and grow closer to God
How a group works
- Weekly online meetings
- Prayer
- Studying the topic
- Discussion
- Practical assignments
- Support
- Mentoring
The programme suits anyone, is fully God-centred and confidential. The result depends on the participant: on the willingness to look inside the problem and give it to the Lord, on attending regularly and doing the assignments.
Schedule
Upcoming online meetings. You can join from any session.
August 2026
Tap a meeting date to add it to your calendar
Times are shown in your time zone: Europe/Istanbul
What changes after the programme
- Constant anxiety fades
- Inner peace appears
- Guilt and shame lose their grip
- Relationships are restored
- Healthy boundaries appear
- Trust in God grows
- The ability to enjoy life comes back
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
Yes, the programme is completely free for you.
Do I need to be a believer or attend church?
No. The programme is Christian, but anyone can take part.
What do I need to take part?
The Zoom app to join the meeting. A notebook and a pen will also be useful.
Can I join in the middle of the course?
Yes. The programme runs in cycles all year round, so you can join at any point.
How long does the programme last?
Weekly two-hour meetings; the whole journey takes about 8-10 months.
Who leads the programme?
Groups are led by ministers of local churches trained in pastoral care.
Can I miss meetings?
Attendance is the participant's responsibility. For results we recommend attending every meeting and telling your leader in advance about a planned absence. After more than three unannounced absences the leader may remove a participant from the group.
Participants' stories
Published only with the authors' consent.
During the programme I became much calmer, I stopped panicking and learned to cope with triggers. I stopped running away from problems and started solving them. I used to be afraid of being alone with myself. Now I have learned to live through my emotions, to bring them to God and, most importantly, to look at myself honestly. I can express my thoughts without destroying other people. I have become far steadier emotionally, life has become easier and, above all, I have come to accept myself.
Woman, 52
At some point I closed off from many people, stopped understanding and feeling myself, began to lose myself, and realised that I could no longer manage on my own - I did not even understand what was happening to me or what to do about it. In that despair I turned to God for help. At the very first meeting I understood that I was in the right place and would go all the way through. After every meeting there is at least one discovery. I certainly feel and see the changes in my soul. The atmosphere in our space is very trusting, warm and safe.
Woman, 41
I came to this programme wanting to understand myself and to help myself out of a crisis. Having reached the eighth step, I can see deep work and real change. My endless need for control has noticeably eased. There were outbursts at my child, flashes of anger - now they happen less often. I have seen and admitted many qualities and feelings in myself that had been hidden away. I understand other people better. I saw how much dishonesty there was in my life: I could lie automatically, to others and to myself - I am learning to be honest, and it is working. I used to pray rarely and barely felt God; now prayer is one of the ways I talk with God, whom I feel in every day.
Woman, 42
During the programme I became much calmer, I stopped panicking and learned to cope with triggers. I stopped running away from problems and started solving them. I used to be afraid of being alone with myself. Now I have learned to live through my emotions, to bring them to God and, most importantly, to look at myself honestly. I can express my thoughts without destroying other people. I have become far steadier emotionally, life has become easier and, above all, I have come to accept myself.
Woman, 52
At some point I closed off from many people, stopped understanding and feeling myself, began to lose myself, and realised that I could no longer manage on my own - I did not even understand what was happening to me or what to do about it. In that despair I turned to God for help. At the very first meeting I understood that I was in the right place and would go all the way through. After every meeting there is at least one discovery. I certainly feel and see the changes in my soul. The atmosphere in our space is very trusting, warm and safe.
Woman, 41
I came to this programme wanting to understand myself and to help myself out of a crisis. Having reached the eighth step, I can see deep work and real change. My endless need for control has noticeably eased. There were outbursts at my child, flashes of anger - now they happen less often. I have seen and admitted many qualities and feelings in myself that had been hidden away. I understand other people better. I saw how much dishonesty there was in my life: I could lie automatically, to others and to myself - I am learning to be honest, and it is working. I used to pray rarely and barely felt God; now prayer is one of the ways I talk with God, whom I feel in every day.
Woman, 42
Leaders
Groups are led by ministers of local churches trained in pastoral care.
Котова Екатерина
Ведущая
Душепопечитель, ведущая
Душепопечитель, закончила московскую семинарию по специальности «Душепопечение» Ведущая групп «12 шагов» Служитель Церкви «Святая Троица» Екатеринбург Координатор служения
Svetlana Shubina
Supervisor
Christian counsellor, supervisor, teacher, psychologist, coach
Christian counsellor, supervisor and teacher on the training programme for leaders of counselling groups at the Seminary of Evangelical Christians; psychologist; Master of Social Work in coaching and counselling; head of the counselling ministry at the Word of Life church in Moscow, which includes the healing ministry, counselling and the «12 Steps to Life» groups
Darya Lobkova
Group leader
Psychologist, supervisor
Psychologist working from Christian values in CBT and schema therapy; volunteer psychologist at an international centre for Christian counselling; curator of training programmes for Christian counsellors
Панасюк Лия
Соведущая группы
Ksenia Bezborodova
Group co-leader
Contacts
Call or message us - we will answer and explain how to join.
Ekaterina Kotova
Christian counsellor, graduate of a Moscow seminary in pastoral counselling
Leader of the «12 Steps» groups
Minister at the Holy Trinity church, Yekaterinburg
Ministry coordinator
Join the next group
We will contact you the way you prefer and explain when and how to join.
Confidentiality
Whatever is said in the group stays in the group. Your request is seen only by the leaders and the site administrator. We ask for your name and a way to reach you: no diagnoses, no history, no documents. You may use any name you like and ask us to delete your data at any time.
This is not a substitute for treatment
The programme is not medical or psychotherapeutic care and does not replace treatment by a doctor.
If there is a threat to life right now, thoughts of suicide or an acute condition - call emergency services or a crisis line in your country. That is faster and safer than waiting for a group meeting.