COUNSELING MODEL
Please read the following before becoming a participant in counseling. If you agree with the Counseling Model, please complete this packet and submit it to the Counseling Ministry. You may drop it off or mail it to:
Attention: Counseling Ministry
4385 Franklin Turnpike
Danville, VA 24540
It may also be e-mailed to: counseling@mhbchurch.com
Our Goal: Our goal in providing Christian counseling is to help you meet the challenges of life in a way that will please and honor the Lord Jesus Christ and enable you to enjoy fully His love for you and His plans for your life.
Biblical Basis: We believe that the Bible provides thorough guidance and instruction for faith and life. Therefore, our counseling is based on scriptural principles rather than those of secular psychology or psychiatry. Neither the pastoral nor the lay counselors of this church are trained or licensed as psychotherapists or mental health professionals, nor should they be expected to follow the methods of such specialists.
Not Professional Advice: Some of our counselors work in professional fields outside the church. When serving as counselors within this church, however, they do not provide the same kind of professional advice and services that they do in their professional capacities. Therefore, if you have significant legal, financial, medical, or other technical questions, you should seek advice from an independent professional. Our pastoral and lay counselors will be happy to cooperate with such advisors and help you to consider their counsel in the light of relevant scriptural principles.
Resolution of Conflicts: 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 or with this church as a result of counseling will be settled by mediation.
Agreement: By signing this consent, you agree that you will not attempt to subpoena or require any counselor to appear in any legal proceeding related to any matters discussed during counseling; nor will you attempt to subpoena any notes or records related to this counseling.
When an individual participates in this model of counseling, it is expected that his or her desire is to mature in Christ and to know Him more intimately. Our policy further maintains that the participant must request counseling themselves and must be committed to pursuing counseling without outside influences upon doing so.
A specific process is involved in this model of counseling for individuals and couples. It begins with: clarifying the problem, establishing goals for counseling, and getting a personal history, as well as a history of the problem. This information is utilized to identify false beliefs and defeat behaviors that have been brought into adult relationships. These patterns will be charted out for each individual. Homework will be an integral part of the counseling process.
Homework will include but not be limited to: reading, writing, listening, and viewing assignments. By attending your appointment, you are signifying you have completed such work in its entirety.
Those who decide to come for marriage counseling must understand that one spouse is not to participate as a result of an ultimatum given by the other spouse. Both must agree to our stated perspective. It must be understood that in marriage counseling, the solution will not include giving hope that the other spouse will change.
We do not accept court mandated counseling clients. Regarding children/family counseling, we will not participate in child custody issues or any issues that involve us as participants in court proceedings or may result in court proceedings in the future. In these circumstances, referrals will be given.
Those who participate in counseling are required to:
- Attend all sessions.
- Be punctual for appointments or notify the office in ample time for cancellations.
- Know Christ and be willing to grow to maturity in Him. Our counseling model is based on this and does not involve teaching behavior changes, but rather, by being transformed by the renewing of one’s mind through God’s word.
- Understand that behavioral changes such as communication skills, problem-solving techniques, and anger management strategies will not be considered the solutions to problems. Personal transformation in Christ is the only answer and hope for relational andpersonal issues.
- Not expect personal healing and peace to depend on the circumstance, spouse or another person changing. Fulfillment and freedom from emotional pain is to be in relationship with Christ.
- Participants with a substance abuse addiction are to be referred to a treatment program before counseling can begin. Once the participant has completed the treatment program, the counselor may proceed with counseling,assuming that the participant is faithful to his or her aftercare program.
- Complete weekly homework. This may involve an hour + per week. Homework may include reading, writing, listening and/or viewing assignments, doing relational exercises, or all of the above.
- Do not come to a session unless homework is completed as assigned. This is because in the counseling process, each session builds upon the previous session and upon the homework.
- Agree to refrain from discussing with anyone else, outside of counseling sessions, problematic relationships and what takes place in counseling.
- Do not participate in counseling because a spouse or another person is expecting it, but because the participant has a desire for personal change through knowing Christ.
- Realize that the purpose of counseling will not be to change another person with whom there is a relationship.
- Electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops must be turned off during counseling sessions. In addition, the use of these devices is not permitted in the Counseling Ministry Reception Area. To respect the privacy and confidentiality of others, please use the area outside of the Counseling Ministry Office for these purposes.
I understand the conditions of participating in counseling, and I agree to the expectations listed above: