Counseling Consent Form

Compassionate Care Grounded in Biblical Truth

Thank you for choosing 2:20 Biblical Counseling. Please read this Counseling Consent Form carefully. It explains the nature and purpose of biblical counseling, confidentiality, online counseling, and your responsibilities as a counselee. By signing this form, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to the following.

2:20 Biblical Counseling provides Christ-centered, Scripture-based counsel. The purpose of biblical counseling is to help individuals and couples understand their circumstances from a biblical perspective and pursue hope, wisdom, spiritual growth, and meaningful change through the truth of God's Word. Biblical counseling may include prayer, discussion of Scripture, biblical instruction, encouragement, practical application, and assignments intended to help the counselee apply biblical principles to everyday life. Biblical counseling is not a substitute for medical care, psychiatric care, emergency services, or other professional services that may be appropriate for a person's circumstances.

Counseling provided through 2:20 Biblical Counseling is based upon a Christian worldview and the conviction that the Bible provides authoritative and sufficient truth for knowing God, understanding the human heart, and pursuing godly change. Counselees are not required to agree with every biblical belief presented; however, they understand that the counseling they receive will be approached from this biblical perspective.

Participation in biblical counseling is voluntary. You may ask questions about the counseling process at any time and may choose to discontinue counseling. You are responsible for your own decisions and actions. Biblical counseling provides biblical guidance, encouragement, and instruction but does not guarantee a particular outcome.

2:20 Biblical Counseling seeks to treat information shared during counseling with care and appropriate confidentiality. However, confidentiality is not absolute. Information may need to be disclosed when required by applicable law or when necessary to respond appropriately to serious safety concerns. Examples may include suspected abuse or neglect when reporting is legally required, a serious threat of harm to yourself or another person, a court order or other legal requirement, or another circumstance in which disclosure is required by law. When reasonably possible and appropriate, the counselee will be informed if such a disclosure becomes necessary.

Counseling sessions are normally conducted online through Zoom or another agreed-upon electronic platform. You understand that electronic communication and online meetings involve certain privacy and technology risks, including interruptions, equipment or internet failures, and the possibility of unauthorized access despite reasonable precautions.

You agree to participate from a location that provides reasonable privacy whenever possible and to take reasonable steps to protect your own devices, passwords, and personal information.

2:20 Biblical Counseling is not an emergency or crisis-response service and does not provide 24-hour monitoring. If you are experiencing an immediate emergency or believe that you or another person is in imminent danger, you should seek immediate assistance through appropriate local emergency services.

Biblical counseling does not provide medical diagnoses, prescribe medication, or replace appropriate medical evaluation or treatment. You are encouraged to seek qualified medical or other professional assistance when circumstances warrant it. Decisions regarding medication or medical treatment should be discussed with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, thoughts of harming yourself, or believe you may be in immediate danger, please seek immediate help. In the United States, you may call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 for immediate crisis support. If there is an immediate life-threatening emergency, contact 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Counselees are responsible for the fees associated with the counseling services or packages they select. Current session and package information is provided through 2:20 Biblical Counseling's website and scheduling system. Unless otherwise stated in writing, prepaid counseling packages are non-refundable.

Counseling sessions may not be audio recorded, video recorded, photographed, streamed, or otherwise electronically captured by either party without the prior knowledge and agreement of everyone participating in the session.

Email, scheduling systems, and other electronic communication may be used for scheduling, forms, and routine administrative matters. Because electronic communications may not always be immediately received or reviewed, they should not be relied upon for emergencies or urgent situations.

By signing below, I acknowledge that:

• I have read and understand this Counseling Consent Form.
• I understand that the counseling provided by 2:20 Biblical Counseling is Christ-centered and based upon Scripture.
• I understand the stated limitations of confidentiality.
• I understand the nature and limitations of online counseling.
• I understand that biblical counseling is not emergency, medical, or psychiatric care.
• I voluntarily consent to participate in biblical counseling through 2:20 Biblical Counseling.
• I agree to the terms described in this Counseling Consent Form.

Complete this section when applicable.

By submitting this signed form, I affirm that the information and acknowledgments above are accurate and that my electronic signature is intended to serve as my signature and consent.