FAQs - VISIONS OF HOPE* Christian Counseling Center

What is Christian Counseling?

Christian counseling is very much the same as any other type of counseling you might seek from a professional counselor, therapist, or psychotherapist, except that our counselors and therapists also have training in issues of spirituality and faith. What this means is that our counselors and therapists will always respect your beliefs, whatever they may be, and will help you integrate what you believe into how you resolve your current problems.

Will my counselor preach to me?

No. Christian counseling is about respecting a person's spiritual beliefs, whatever they may be. We see persons from all different faith traditions, and persons who espouse no faith tradition. Whether you are Buddhist, Agnostic or Athiest, you are welcome at Visions of Hope* Christian Counseling Center, and your beliefs will be respected. Our mission is to allow people to grow into the fullest people they can be, not to convert anyone to our beliefs.

What does a sliding fee scale mean?

A sliding fee scale, such as the one we use takes into account such issues as your income, and your expenses. At Visions of Hope* Christian Counseling Center, we set fees in a professional and pastoral manner taking into account your income and your family size. You can share with your individual counselor other important information that may affect your ability to pay for your counseling.

How much will counseling cost?

Fees are an individual matter, set by you and your counselor based on your own individual circumstances. Again, your counselor can always take into account your extenuating circumstances and set a fee that is affordable for you.

Do you have evening hours?

Yes. Most of our counselors and therapists are able to see persons in the evening, in the early morning or on Saturdays, depending on which counselor you see. Speak with your particular counselor to set up a schedule that works for you. The more flexibility you are able to have with your own schedule, the easier it will be for you to set up an appointment with your counselor as evening, morning and weekend hours are usually the fastest to fill up.

Will what I say be kept private?

Everything that gets shared in a counseling session with a counselor at Visions of Hope* Christian Counseling Center is Private and Confidential. This means that it will not go outside of that room, and that your counselor or therapist and you will be the only ones who know what gets shared in your counseling session. It is important that you understand that by law there are certain things that any counselor must disclose if you share them. These include:

reports of abuse of a minor or disabled/elderly person
an active plan to harm yourself or someone else (such as a plan to shoot someone, or yourself)
any information that a court of law subpoenas from a counselor, when that counselor is not able to receive an exemption from the subpoena.

Does this mean that if I have ever felt like harming myself, my counselor will tell someone?

No. Only imminent danger or harm is required to be reported. This means that you can safely share any history of feeling suicidal in the past, or abuse in your childhood with your counselor or therapist without fear that it will need to be reported. Only issues that place you in imminent harm must be reported. And even those, your counselor will work with you to find ways of keeping you safe that do not involve breaking your confidentiality.

I am a born-again Christian. Will my counselor suggest alternatives which are against my beliefs?

No. Our counselors and therapists are very respectful of all religious beliefs and will not try to persuade you to take any action that is against your relationship with God.

Is Christian Counseling for You?

Our Counselors and Therapists offer a variety of ways to alleviate mental and emotional problems and to move through life's crises and transitions. Based on psychosocial research, religious principles, and cultural understandings, the counselor or therapist, after careful assessment of the problem, recommends one or more particular ways of helping for example, individual counseling, psychotherapy, group therapy, couples counseling, marriage and family therapy, spiritual guidance, short-term counseling. In some instances the counselor may feel that the help needed can best be provided by some other mental health professional or some other Christian counselor. If that is the case, the counselor will assist the counselee in finding a more appropriate professional. Whether the counselor or therapist provides the needed treatment or makes the referral, the decision is always made in consultation with the counselee and will be based on what seems to be in the counselee's best interest.

Benefits and Risks of Counseling

There are benefits and risks involved in receiving counseling. Counseling can help increase self-awareness and understanding, bolster self-esteem, reduce internal and interpersonal conflict, alter distressing moods, and improve communication.

What you achieve depends primarily on your own honesty , goals and motivation. At the same time, you must know that you may experience unpleasant feelings while discussing matters that trouble you. You may also discover that some situations cannot be changed to your satisfaction; thus leaving you with difficult decisions to make. Nevertheless, your counselor or therapist is committed and qualified to assist you in facing such feelings and circumstances.

You are in full control of what you want to accomplish in counseling. Your success depends largely on your willingness to speak openly and honestly. Because you are sharing important and sensitive information about yourself, our staff dedicates itself to provide a relationship of confidentiality.