Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ page (Frequently Asked Questions) offers answers to questions we frequently encounter. If you have a question that is not addressed below, please don't hesitate to ask us.
Tell me about Discovery Counseling?
Discovery Counseling is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Christian ministry that has provided thousands of hours of counseling services to adolescents, adults, couples, and families since its founding in 2002.
What is Biblical Counseling
Biblical counseling or faith based counseling is a collaborative process between you and your counselor/mentor/life coach. This process begins with identifying your goals, setting objectives, and determining how to measure your progress along the way. This is a guiding activity that helps you objectively look at your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors so you can develop more effective ways of dealing with life struggles.
Click here for more information about Biblical Counseling Services.
When or why should I seek counseling?
People seek counseling for various reasons. Some of the common reasons are:
- Prolonged feelings of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and/or hopelessness
- Marital or family unhappiness
- Concerns about a child's behavior or adjustment
- Distress over personal relationships
- Inability to set or attain goals
- Worry about eating patterns or weight
- Frustrations with employment or co-workers
- Sadness due to death, separation, or divorce
- Struggles with unhealthy habits or patterns
- Disappointment with life
Sessions between you and your counselor will be very personal. The relationship, however, will remain on a professional level. Therefore, contact will be limited to the sessions in the office or over the phone. You and your counselor will not engage in physical contact, socialize, give gifts to each other, nor establish any relationship other than the professional counseling relationship. The only focus of the counseling sessions is on your concerns.
What about a crisis?
If you need emergency services, please call 911 or go to the closest emergency room!
How much does each session cost?
An individual session is $50.
The fee for service covers a 50-minute session. Session fees are paid at the start of each session. If you do not cancel a minimum of 24 hours before any scheduled appointment, you may be held financially responsible for that appointment.
You are expected to pay the prorated session fee for phone calls made by the counselor at your request. The charges for letters, assessments, consultations, copying records, legal research, testimony, etc. need to be arranged with the counselor before these services are provided.
If at any time your financial situation should interfere with your treatment, your counselor will try to work with you to develop an acceptable plan.
How do I get started?
We are happy to schedule an intake appointment for you with a counselor. At the initial intake, the counseling process will be discussed, you will fill out the necessary paperwork, and develop a personal strategy to find the help you are looking for.
When does counseling end?
Stopping treatment is usually mutually agreed upon. You may discontinue services whenever, and for whatever reason you choose. Your counselor may stop treatment for several reasons that may include: not following treatment recommendations; missing appointments; threats to the counselor, the counseling center, or others associated with the counselor or the Center; and/or some problem emerges that is not within the scope of practice or competence of the counselor.
What is confidentiality?
Confidentiality means that information about you is never released to others without your written permission. Everything said in the session is confidential and will not be disclosed, except for the following:
- suspected abuse of a child, developmentally disabled person, or a dependent adult;
- potential suicidal behavior;
- threatened harm to another, which may include knowledge that the client is HIV positive when there is an unwillingness to inform individuals with whom the client is intimately involved; and
- when required by a compulsory process.
Information may also be disclosed if you sign a written authorization. Payment by check allows bank employees to view the names on the checks. If you have caller ID on your phone, the name of Discovery Counseling or your counselor may appear on the monitor. There are times your counselor may seek the help of other professionals, for supervision or consultation; this can include other counselors in the Center. All professionals are bound by the same rules of confidentiality.
Cell phones and e-mails may be used to contact you. Please note that these are NOT a confidential means of communication.
What education do the counselors at Discovery Counseling have?
Each of the counselors at Discovery has obtained at least a Masters Degree in Professional Counseling from an accredited educational institution.