Policies/Forms

Instructions for Policy Review: Please carefully read each policy. If you have questions, please direct them to your counselor before your initial meeting begins. If for any reason you are unable to agree to these policies, we will be unable to serve you.

Your Rights as a Counselee: As a counselee you have the right to discuss possible outcomes and challenges regarding counseling and receive an estimate of the predicted length, goals, and outcomes, as well as alternative options. You have the right to ask about and/or refuse any techniques used. You are encouraged to report to the Vice President of Spiritual Life and Wellness as defined in “The Waiver of Liability,” if you have any grievances regarding counseling. You may conclude counseling at any time, but we encourage you to consult with your counselor as to the best way and time to do so. 

Not Professional Advice: If you have legal, financial, medical, or other technical questions you should seek advice from a professional with expertise in those fields. 

Financial Policy

The counseling ministry of Faith&Recovery is a service to all members of our community. We do charge for the counseling services offered. The graciousness and generosity of our community partners allows us to offer these services on a Sliding Fee Scale. Unless otherwise agreed upon, in writing, all counseling sessions are $125 per hour (one hour minimum), due before each appointment. Additional time, if available, will be added in 15-minute increments, at $35 per increment, due before your next appointment. If you wish to pay a reduced hourly rate (RHR), please submit the necessary financial documentation with your Intake Forms. The RHR available to you will be determined and you will be alerted to this prior to your appointment, and any additional time, if available, will be added in 15-minute increments at approximately 25% of your RHR per increment.

Appointment Cancelation Policy

We want to be a good steward of the time and resources of the counseling ministry. Therefore, we request a 24 hour notice if you wish to cancel or are unable to keep an appointment. If you fail to give us a 24 hour notice you will be expected to pay the full appointment fee ($125 or RHR), due before your next appointment, for any missed or canceled appointments.

Philosophy of Care

We are committed to providing a balanced and biblical approach to counseling. By biblical counseling we mean that your counselor is a Christian with special training and experience in applying the truths of the Bible to life. We believe that the Bible speaks to all of life and to all of its problems, but sometimes it takes careful thought and prayerful wisdom to know how to make those connections. We don't believe that the Bible is simply a how-to book, or a recipe book, or a spell book for happiness. We believe that the Bible ultimately points us to Believing Loyalty to the God of the Bible and to his Gospel. We believe that real change comes when people learn to see themselves and their problems in the context of a living, vital relationship with Jesus the Christ. This does not mean that you must be a Christian to profit from our counseling, although we believe that deep and lasting change is brought about only by God himself. That being said, the Bible is never brought to bear in an artificial or heavy-handed way in any of our counseling. 

Confidentiality Clause

Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process, and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us. However, we do not promise absolute confidentiality. Your counselor reserves the right to consult with other counselors, and his/her supervisor(s), for the purpose of providing you the highest level of care. If material from your counseling experience is shared with other counselors or supervisors, all identifiers will be removed before it is shared.

There are times when counseling information may be shared with outside entities. These may include, but are not limited to the following: 

• known or suspected child or elder abuse of any kind

• the intent to take criminal actions or violence against another person

• active suicidal thoughts or intentions 

If you are suicidal during the course of your counseling, it is crucial that you talk with your counselor about these matters. By seeking counseling with us you are indicating that you agree to share any suicidal thoughts or intentions with your counselor and that you would seek medical care outside of counseling if you actively consider suicide.

In the case of marriage or family counseling, there is limited confidentiality, meaning the confidentiality belongs to the relationship and not to the individual. This means that, if you are not being honest in a particular relationship, while our counselors will not seek to actively incriminate you, they are not obligated to assist you in deceiving others.

Confidentiality for our counseling is defined by pastor-parishioner privilege because we also serve local churches. Therefore, our counselors operate as agents of the Church (pastors/ministers) not agents of the State (licensed counselors). This means counseling conversations are inadmissible in the court of law in the same way as conversations with a priest in a confessional booth. If your counseling subject requires professional representation in a court setting by a counselor, we are likely not the best fit for your needs. 

Waiver of Liability

In seeking counseling from us, you must acknowledge your understanding of the following conditions and further release us, our staff, employees, and all organizational leadership, from any legal liability, claim, or litigation arising from your participation in this voluntary program: 

• Counseling will be provided by seminary-trained counselors, certified counselors, or graduate counseling interns. The counseling staff are not licensed counselors such as an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist), LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker), or LFBPPC (Licensed Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselor) through the State;

• All counseling is provided in accordance with the biblical principles we adhere to and are not necessarily provided in adherence to any local or national psychological or psychiatric association for the evaluation and treatment of mental disorders and other conditions through the use of a combination of clinical mental health and human development principles, methods, diagnostic procedures, treatment plans, and other psychotherapeutic techniques;

• No representation has been made, either expressly or implied, that the biblical counseling, as conducted by the above mentioned counselors, is accepted as customary psychological and/or psychiatric therapy within the definitional terms utilized by those professions; and

• This is a voluntary program in which you are choosing to participate. 

Arbitration

It is understood by participant counselee(s) that all complaints and grievances relating to these policies, or the provision of counseling pursuant to these policies, will be reviewed by other counselors and/or supervisor(s) affiliated with Faith&Recovery. These individuals will work to facilitate reconciliation and/or rectify any determined errors committed. If these goals cannot be achieved between the aforementioned parties, then the participant counselee(s) may elect to involve legal counsel, at their expense, for the purpose of mediation or arbitration. It is specifically agreed that any dispute arising out of or related to the provision of services agreed to shall be subject to final and binding resolution through private mediation.