WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
- Truth to help, spoken in a loving way.
- Confidentiality of sessions (Criminal activity should be reported however).
- No cost or financial obligation: We request a donation of $100 per session. Books and materials are given to you, and you are welcome to donate for each item so we can replace them to have available for the next client(s).
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU:
- To accept the help, even if the truth hurts; your commitment is needed.
- To accomplish any assignments given during the sessions, including reading, memorizing, etc.
- To attend weekly services each Sunday at your own church, or with the Wilton Baptist Church (10:00 AM).
INFORMATION:
This information is being provided so that you will understand the conditions for participating in Mountain View Christian Counseling Ministry. Please read this carefully and be prepared to nask questions about anything that seems unclear when you meet with your counselor.
Not Professional Advice - Although our staff and volunteer Lay Counselors may have been trained in professional fields when serving the Mountain View Christian Counseling Ministry, they provide biblically based spiritual insight as it pertains to any issue presented. They do not provide the same type of professional service as when they function professionally outside the church.
Focus of Ministry – This Counseling Ministry provides insight and instruction, based solely on, content of the Bible. Our Ministry's focus and purpose are to address Spiritual and heart issues through short-term, Bible-based counseling (Assessment + 3 sessions minimum). Appointments are designed to be (40) minutes. Additional appointments must be approved through the office of the Mountain View Administrator (Pastor). We request that all counseling contacts with the Biblical Counseling staff or lay counselors be made through the church office.
Children - While the counseling is offered to at a nominal donation fee, we do not provide childcare. You are responsible to secure childcare arrangements prior to the time of your appointment. If childcare arrangements that you have planned fall through, we understand and would be glad to reschedule a time for you.
Appointments (Cancellation and Rescheduling). We believe that your time is important. We also believe that the work done in this ministry is a matter of stewardship. We ask that all participants seeking biblical counseling be seen by appointment only. If you have scheduled an appointment and are unable to attend, please notify us 24 hours in advance so that someone else in crisis may be scheduled for that appointment time.
Confidentiality - Confidentiality is a crucial aspect of the biblical counseling process. The Counseling Ministry will protect information accordingly. The following illustrates if/when it may be necessary for us to share information with others:
1) If a staff/lay is uncertain how to address a problem and needs to seek advice from another staff/minister/ lay counselor in this church;
2) If content shared demands that we must comply with any and all applicable state and/or federal laws, such as those dealing with abuse or “duty to warn”;
3) There is an indication that harm may come to the participant or someone else;
4) It is determined by the Biblical Counseling staff/lay counselor that church authority has a need to know;
5) A person persistently refuses to renounce a sin and it becomes necessary to seek the assistance of others in the church to encourage repentance and reconciliation (see Proverbs 15:22; 24:11; Matthew 18:15-20);
6) A person attends another church, and it is necessary for us to discuss an issue with their pastor or staff that falls under any of the above categories (see Galatians 6:1-2).
Training - The full scope of this ministry includes training others to do counseling. We are diligently seeking opportunities to equip new counselors to serve the Lord. This sometimes includes having a ‘counselor in training’ to observe the lead counselor in live sessions, thereby developing and cultivating healthy practices for the future. (When training is completed, they will counsel with a participant alone.) Each ‘counselor in training’ is bound by all the agreements contained in this document, especially the statements of confidentiality. As has been stated, the counseling you will receive is offered to you free of charge. Your initials here grant your permission for an approved ‘counselor in training’ to observe the lead counselor in your session.
Resolution of Difficulties - On rare occasions, a conflict may develop between an individual and our Biblical Counseling Ministry. To ensure the conflict will be resolved in a Biblically faithful manner, we require all individuals to agree that any dispute will be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration.
Agreement - I am requesting to receive Biblical counseling as it pertains to an issue in my life. I will, under no circumstance, have the Mountain View Christian Counseling, Wilton Baptist Church, a staff or lay counselor providing Biblical counseling to be subpoenaed or require them to appear in court or legal suit regarding any matters disclosed or discussed during the course of my participation in this ministry. I will, under no circumstance, have the Counseling notes subpoenaed for any legal proceedings whatsoever.
Having read ALL information fully and completely, I agree to discuss any questions I may have with the Mountain View Christian Counseling staff/lay counselor.
My signature below indicates that I understand all the material presented and fully agree to comply with all items.
