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.
September 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.
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
Для меня стало огромной неожиданностью и радостью, когда через два месяца две черты моего характера (зависть и обида), которые были очень понятны, но никак не поддавались изменениям, стали исчезать. Благодаря программе, исчезали корни, на которых ранее вырастали зависть и обида. Сейчас через два года стали происходить более глубинные сдвиги моего характера. Программа помогла мне лучше понимать себя, Бога и других людей. Обучение личным границам было тем моментом, благодаря чему я смог не только начать понимать свои границы, но и лучше уважать границы чужих людей. В целом программа дала мне возможность сместить фокус с религиозности, которой местами был сильно пропитан, на жизнь в вере, то, как я полагаю, и было задумано Богом.
Мужчина, 46 лет
When I came to the group I was in a prolonged depression - an anxiety and depressive disorder, to be precise. I was seeing a neurologist and taking the medication I needed. I understood that I also had to do some work on the way I saw the world. Almost four months into the programme I can say that I see real changes in my life, and even my family sees them. The programme taught me to take responsibility only for my own life and my own actions, and to let go of control over situations and people. Today I feel more safety and less anxiety.
Woman, 38
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
Для меня стало огромной неожиданностью и радостью, когда через два месяца две черты моего характера (зависть и обида), которые были очень понятны, но никак не поддавались изменениям, стали исчезать. Благодаря программе, исчезали корни, на которых ранее вырастали зависть и обида. Сейчас через два года стали происходить более глубинные сдвиги моего характера. Программа помогла мне лучше понимать себя, Бога и других людей. Обучение личным границам было тем моментом, благодаря чему я смог не только начать понимать свои границы, но и лучше уважать границы чужих людей. В целом программа дала мне возможность сместить фокус с религиозности, которой местами был сильно пропитан, на жизнь в вере, то, как я полагаю, и было задумано Богом.
Мужчина, 46 лет
When I came to the group I was in a prolonged depression - an anxiety and depressive disorder, to be precise. I was seeing a neurologist and taking the medication I needed. I understood that I also had to do some work on the way I saw the world. Almost four months into the programme I can say that I see real changes in my life, and even my family sees them. The programme taught me to take responsibility only for my own life and my own actions, and to let go of control over situations and people. Today I feel more safety and less anxiety.
Woman, 38
Leaders
Groups are led by ministers of local churches trained in pastoral care.
Ekaterina Kotova
Group leader
Christian counsellor, group leader
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
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
Liya Panasyuk
Group co-leader
Ksenia Bezborodova
Group co-leader
Contacts
Call or message us - we will answer and explain how to join.
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.