- What can a person expect when they first
come to counseling?
Most people seeking counseling are experiencing pain, confusion
and helplessness. The counselor will try to discover what the
issues are that the person is dealing with. The first session
is to discover the issues and make an assessment. The counselor
will develop a treatment plan in cooperation with the client.
This plan sets treatment goals, treatment methods and a likely
time schedule. This way the counselor and the client know what
direction they will be going, how to measure progress and when
to finish counseling. Sometimes the counselor will prescribe psychological
tests to help in understanding the client and their needs. The
client will usually be asked to complete a questionnaire to assist
the counselor in making an assessment.
- Why seek professional help?
The professional counselor's experience and training will often
enable the client to see things in a very different way. Clients
often "can't see the forest because of the trees." many
time persons are blinded because they are too close, because they
are sometimes part of the problem. A professional counselor will
have new insights, wisdom, and skills to provide an effective
treatment plan to help the client work through their difficult
situation and issues. A Christian professional counselor can also
give spiritual and Biblical guidance in making changes. The counselor
will often have some special wisdom for you at the time.
- How long is the average length of therapy?
The length of time is related to the seriousness of the problem
and the motivation of the client to see change. The actual length
of time is determined by the recommendations of the counselor
and by the client together. The counselor wants to help the client
be able to handle the problem situation without causing pain to
themselves or to others. The counselor and the client will set
goals so that both will know when it is time to terminate the
counseling. Some persons need only one session, others may need
many more sessions depending upon the severity and complexity
of the issues.
- Can I be sure things will change?
"Things" will sometimes never change. Other people may
never change; however, the client can change. We come to realize
that nobody changes unless they are hurting. Many people are trapped
because they are afraid of change. As a result some decide they
do not want to change. Once a person wants to change however,
the process has begun. So often we want everyone and everything
else to change. However, we have to do the changing for healing
and growth to occur in our lives.
- Why do I need counseling?
You need counseling when the hurts or confusion are too much to
continue the way things are! A person is not spiritually and emotionally
healthy when (1) they are being hurt by someone else, (2) when
they are hurting themselves, or (3) when hey are causing damage
to others. You need counseling when "stuff" causes so
much pain and misery as to negatively affect your life.
- How is Biblical counseling different
from other counseling?
We believe that God is the healer of His children. As counselors,
we are privileged to assist Him in ministering to the needs of
His children. Christian counselors also understand the role of
sin, guilt and shame in a person's life. We appreciate what God
will do to turn lives, marriages, relationships and families around
through His grace and power. We are willing to bring the truth
of Christ to a person's problems and needs. We also practice many
of the good counseling methods and psychological principles that
other competent professionals would use. We consider ourselves
ministers of Christ's love and grace, as well as being professional
counselors. The Holy Spirit is named by Jesus Christ as a "Counselor"
and "Comforter". Without His anointing, counseling is
not truly Christian or Biblical. We are usually set free and healed
with the truth of God's word.
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