Thank you for your interest in biblical counseling and for giving us an opportunity to serve you. We look forward to helping you find God’s help and hope for the personal or relational problems you are facing. The following information will help you further understand our ministry and will serve as an agreement between us.
Our Goal – Our goal in providing biblical counseling is to help you meet the challenges of life in a way that will please and honor the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 10:31) and in a way that will bring you the greatest joy and satisfaction (John 15:11).
Biblical Basis – As ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ our counseling stems from our sincerely held religious beliefs based upon the Bible, including our understanding of sexuality. This is part of our practice of religion. We believe that the Bible provides thorough guidance and instruction for faith and life (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). Therefore, our counseling is based upon scriptural principles. We are not trained or licensed as psychotherapists or mental health professionals, nor should we be expected to follow the methods of such specialists.
All counseling will be conducted in accordance with our understanding of the Scriptures. However, we do not know all there is to know about biblical teaching and its application to life. Therefore, when necessary, we will seek help, input, or advice from pastors, mentors, or colleagues.
Biblical Counsel – If you have significant legal, financial, medical or other technical questions you should seek advice from an independent professional. We will cooperate with such advisors and help you to consider their counsel in light of scriptural principles. We have Certificates in Biblical Counseling from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and also pursuing our Master of Biblical Counseling at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Counseling Observers – For counseling benefit, training and supervision, we often “team counsel.” One of us would be your dedicated biblical counselor, who will lead the session, and a co-counselor, trainee, mentors, or supervisor may observe.
Church Friends – We encourage you to bring a close spiritual church friend or someone in spiritual leadership; for man, it would be a man, for women, it would be a woman, and for couples, it would be a couple (husband and wife). This is beneficial for every person involved in the counseling process (Hebrews 13:17; 1 Peter 5:1-2).
Counselee Participation – To increase the effectiveness of the biblical counseling we ask the following of you:
- Be committed to biblical counseling as described in this document and any other accompanying materials we provide or recommend. Come to each session with a humble spirit, seeking to learn how God wants you to handle your life based on his Word.
- Attend each scheduled session. Allow 50-60 minutes for a typical session. If an emergency arises and you cannot attend a session, please contact us as soon as possible at (941) 321-0358 and leave a detailed message including your name and phone number for us to get back to you.
- Be as open and honest as you can. At the same time, we realize that talking about some topics may be very difficult for you and that your trust in us may take time to develop.
- Be patient — your situation did not develop in a day. It may take us several sessions to obtain a good understanding of your situation. It is vital for us to carefully listen and gather needed information and to build understanding and trust with you. You agree to commit to at least six sessions.
- Complete any growth assignments given, and review and pray over the matters discussed during previous sessions. We will give you assignments that fit our counseling aims and will help you make progress between sessions. Failure to complete them may indicate lack of commitment to the process and may result in discontinuation of the process.
- Agree to potential use of digital note taking technology.
Confidentiality – Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process, and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us. There are situations, however, in which we may believe that it is wise or mandated (biblically or legally) for us to share certain information with others. It is not possible to list every possible circumstance, but some examples would include:
- When we are uncertain how to address a problem and needs to seek advice from another pastor or counselor.
- When there is concern that someone may be harmed unless others intervene.
- When abuse or another crime may have occurred.
- When a person refuses to renounce a particular sin and it becomes necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance and reconciliation or to begin the process of church discipline (Proverbs 15:22, 24:11; Matthew 18:15-20).
- When observers sit in on counseling sessions to assist the counselor or for training purposes (including audio & video recordings–only with permission).
- When the counselee’s pastor, staff and/or church leadership is needed to provide pastoral assistance.
- When the counselor is legally required to provide information or testimony in a legal proceeding.
Fees
Materials – You may need to purchase materials for your own use.
Counseling Fee – There are a range of fees for face-to-face and virtual sessions. See the fee chart provided and agreed to when counseling starts.
Parental Involvement – When counselees are under the age of 18, we require parents to be involved in the counseling process; this includes the following: counseling sessions, homework, and/or accountability for their child.
Church Involvement – Because we believe the local church has a vital role in the lives of believers (Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25), counselees are asked to commit to faithfully attending their Sunday School class (or equivalent) and worship services while receiving counseling. Regular participation in a Christ-centered, biblical church provides you with vital complements to our counseling: God-centered worship, solid Bible teaching with practical life application, pastoral care, and meaningful friendships with other people needing—and learning—God’s grace together.
Resolution of Conflicts (Arbitration) – On rare occasions a conflict may develop between a counselor and a counselee. In order to make sure that any such conflicts will be resolved in a biblically faithful manner, we require all of our counselees to agree that any dispute that arises with a counselor, Anima Care and Hope Counseling Center, or our certifying agencies, as a result of counseling will be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Institute for Christian Conciliation (www.aorhope.org/icc-rules); judgment upon an arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. It is expressly understood that by agreeing in advance to arbitrate that the counselee is giving up his right to a trial in the civil courts.
Conclusion & Signature – Having clarified the principles and policies of our counseling ministry, we welcome the opportunity to minister to you in the name of Christ and to be used by Him as He helps you to grow in spiritual maturity and prepares you for usefulness in His body. If you have any questions about these guidelines or conditions, please speak with us.
Having read the foregoing information and conditions fully and completely, my signature below indicates that I understand all the material presented and fully agree to comply with the foregoing, and I consent to the disclosure of certain communications as provided above and waive any legal privileges that may apply.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve Jesus by helping you find and apply his answers to your problems. May God encourage, bless, and empower you in these coming days!
