Golden City Pastoral Counseling
Robert I. Burns, MDiv, IBCC BCPC
(415) 819-0627

~ About Counseling ~

As a pastor, I counseled couples and individuals for decades, often in cross-cultural settings. Today I am continuing to do this in my private practice.

Professional Pastoral Counseling combines proven reparative approaches with spiritual insights and intercessory prayer. During counseling the emphasis will be on discovering your strengths and empowering you to live your life as God intended.

I am a certified Facilitator in both “Prepare-Enrich” and and “SYMBIS” (Save Your Marriage Before it Starts) inventories. Both Prepare-Enrich and SYMBIS programs are used for relationship counseling, marriage preparation, marriage counseling and marriage enrichment. Both programs include a comprehensive couple assessment along with feedback using skills-building exercises. After initially assessing the clients' needs, I will recommend one or the other program.

I am a trained Gottman “Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work” Educator. Gottman’s seven principles are proven, research-based tools for making marriage work. I have also received training from Susan Johnson in Emotionally-Focused Therapy. This approach sees relationships as an attachment bond to help shape more loving relationships, and to lead couples into a new understanding of romantic love.

I am equipped for helping with spiritual issues and helping churches through church conflicts to resolution.

I have a working knowledge of the Gallup organization's “Clifton StrengthsFinder” Assessment tool, and can apply that in our sessions when helpful.

In the counseling relationship, I practice complete confidentiality, just as one might expect from their priest, doctor or lawyer. Please call me for a free introductory conversation to determine if my services will be a good fit for you.


“Then shall your light
break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall
spring up speedily”
                          ~ Isaiah 58:8













































Christian Professional Counselor Bay Area ~ Christian Professional Counseling Bay Area ~ Christian Professional Counselor San Francisco ~ Christian Professional Counseling San Francisco
Depression & Anxiety Issues ~ Divorce Recovery ~ Grief & Loss Issues ~ Life-Change Transitions ~ Personal Decision-Making ~ Pornography Addiction
Premarital & Marital Counseling ~ Relationships Counseling ~ Spiritual Concerns & Growth
Prepare-Enrich Certified Practioner San Francisco ~ Prepare-Enrich Certified Practioner Bay Area ~ Prepare-Enrich Couselor ~ Prepare-Enrich Couseling
Love life together! ~ Heal your relationships! ~ Renew your mind! ~ Celebrate Your New Life! ~ Your New Life Begins Now!
Christian Marriage Counseling ~ Christian Marriage Counselor ~ Christian Premarital Counseling ~ Christian Premarital Counselor
Gottman Seven Principles Educatior San Francisco ~ Gottman Seven Principles Educatior Bay Area