Biblical Counselors of Houston

The Leadership Center

Pastor, Dr. Lovenia Williams, M.A., Th.D

Credentialed Biblical Counselor & Chaplain

(281) 789-8852

Biblical Counselors of Houston, The Leadership Center and Pastor, Dr. Lovenia Williams offer a suite of biblically based services provided by experienced licensed and ordained ministers and credentialed, professional Biblical Counselors to help individuals move to personal wholeness, interpersonal competence, mental stability, and spiritual maturity.

Our lead counselor, Lovenia Williams is a licensed and ordained pastor with a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and a Doctor of Theology from Cornerstone University. Our approach is psychotherapeutic with the application of biblical interpretation, scriptural principles and temperament therapy. This method not only focuses on aiding the counselee to understand himself/herself, but it allows individuals to be the best God created by meeting the needs of one's temperament equally and scripturally. Although some secular principles may be used, there is freedom to apply biblical teachings without limitations. Thus, Pastor, Dr. Lovenia Williams is credentialed as a Biblical Counselor and not a state licensed professional counselor.

Counseling is a process in which we collaborate to help you to solve the problems that affect your quality of life or your personal goals. You and I work together to look at the behaviors that cause these problems to occur and talk about alternative ways, including Scriptural ways, that may help you have a better outcome. As we examine and work together, I will bring as many of these problem areas to your attention as I possibly can.

You will participate in the development of your counseling/treatment plan. You and I will review it from time to time. Your plan of counseling/treatment may change as the issues change. Should you have any questions or comments, feel free to discuss them with me.

Although the counseling experience can be tremendously beneficial for most people, there are some potential risks about which you must be aware. Counseling can be an emotionally painful experience for you and some relationships in your life can become unbalanced. There may be tough decisions which you may want to make which may upset your status quo. These experiences are legitimate outcomes of the counseling process. I am available to discuss any of your problems or possible negative side effects of our work together. As a client, you have access to my resources and my willingness to apply them in good faith. Because of the many factors that influence counseling/treatment, no counseling/treatment outcomes are guaranteed.

Our relationship is a unique one. You will share with me many intimate details of your life. Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process, and I will carefully guard the information you entrust to me. Under state law, I am mandated to protect this relationship. That is, without your written permission or by order of the Court, I am forbidden to disclose any information about our sessions or about you except in the following instances:

1) I suspect that you may do harm to yourself or to others;

2) You tell me of abuse to a child or an elderly or disabled person;

3) If I or your records are ordered by a court of law; or

4) You waive your right to confidentiality.

Sometimes medical physicians have to consult other physicians to determine the best healthcare treatment for an individual. In the same manner, on occasions, I may want to consult with another pastor (when a counselee attends another church and it is necessary to talk with his or her pastor), or another provider regarding your counseling/treatment plan. You will be aware of these consultations (see above paragraph) and your confidentiality will be protected. Consultation and supervision are inherent in the standard of care and are supported by the Pastoral/Counseling profession.

On rare occasions, a conflict may develop between the biblical counselor and a counselee. In accordance with the principles set forth in Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, we strive to resolve conflict in a manner that brings glory to God and is a positive witness and influence to those looking on. In light of the above: I agree that any dispute with Lovenia Williams, Biblical Counselors of Houston and/or The Leadership Center, or any staff member, volunteer, or affiliate of Biblical Counselors of Houston or the Leadership Center arising from or related to this agreement shall be settled through Christian mediation and, if necessary, legally binding Christian arbitration.

I, the counselee understand that this shall be the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of this agreement and expressly waive my right to file a lawsuit in any civil court against the above listed for such disputes, except as necessary to enforce an arbitration decision.

Records Release Policy 

I understand that my client file (progress notes, tests and assessments, billing history, diagnosis, treatment plan, etc is confidential and will be maintained by Biblical Counselors of Houston and The Leadership Center. Client files remain the sole property of The Leadership Center and will only be released pursuant to the client's valid, written authorization or a valid subpoena issued by a judge.

 

If you must cancel a session, at least 24 hours' notice is expected. If I (the client) do not cancel an appointment with at least 24 hours notice, I understand that I may be charged for the missed session. If I (the counselor) need to cancel a session with you, I will try to reschedule your session at the earliest convenience. As a Pastor, I am subject to emergency calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I will tell you 24 hours in advance of any sessions I will have to cancel, unless I have been called away by an emergency. In such an event, I will give you as much notice as the emergency allows.

Although each of us has the right to terminate counseling/treatment at any time, it is customary to have a formal termination session when you and I feel that your work is completed. You and I decide together when this is appropriate and, together, we will evaluate your progress in the Counseling experience.

Having clearly stated the principles and policies of the counseling ministry, I 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, please ask before signing below. If these guidelines are acceptable to you, please sign below.

By signing this Informed Consent, I, Lovenia Williams, and Biblical Counselors of Houston and The Leadership Center staff/representatives are agreeing to provide counseling services to you as explained above, and you are agreeing to the above guidelines and to attend your