|
|
Door
of Hope Counseling Resource Center, Inc.
Counseling Agreement
l We offer individual and relationship counseling on a wide variety of issues.
l We have completed masteral level degree in Counseling and/or Marriage and Family Therapy from an accredited institution. We are in the process of being accredited with the Asian Association of Christian Counselors.
l Our guiding principle is to restore hope to broken and wounded people. We will work with people who struggle with non-organically caused psychological and spiritual problems to move forward toward personal wholeness, relational integrity, and spiritual maturity.
l We will abide by the Code of Ethics of Christian Association of Psychological Studies (CAPS) in how we conduct counseling services.
l We are Christians and function from a Christian view of life and relationships. However, not all of the people we work with are Christians, and how they vary greatly in the degree to which they are comfortable with discussions about spiritual things and prayer.
l Whether you are Christian or not, our goal is to provide a safe place , without expectations of you being something you are not, where you can explore whatever concern you have.
l Everything that you say and do in sessions or on the phone with us will be kept in strict confidence. We will not share information about you with anyone unless we have your specific permission to do so. There are, however, a few exceptions to this:
1. If we suspect that child abuse has occurred.
2. If we assess that your life, or someone else's life, is in immediate danger.
3. If we are subpoenaed to provide testimony at a court case.
l In all of these situations we will attempt to discuss our plans with you before notifying the appropriate persons or authorities.
l In order to maintain professional accountability and to help our work with you to be as effective as possible, we meet with a small group of other professional counselors for supervision. We meet to keep identifying information regarding he people we work with o a minimum. If you are uncomfortable with this, please let us know, and we will agree to not discuss your situation.
l We will not record the sessions without your written permission.
l We will respect your values and choices and will not ask you to do anything that we perceive will be harmful to you. Also, we will not force you in any way to do something against your will or good judgement.
l Attendance at sessions, participating in exercises and homework assignments is always your choice, and you should feel free to participate as you determine your particular need and the kind of help from which you will benefit.
l Although we will encourage you to stay in counseling until you have achieved your goals, quitting counseling, or asking for a referral, is always your right. We ask only that we have one final session with you to allow for closure of our time together (which means, we prefer not to end the relationship on the telephone).
l We have no power or "magic" techniques to change your life or solve your problems. Therefore, it is ultimately your responsibility to work hard, honestly, and consistently to make the changes you desire to become a reality in your life. You control your own growth and change in counseling. But we do acknowledge that the grace of God is at work in persons who are open to His working in their lives.
l You are encouraged to discuss openly and freely with us at any time, any questions or concern you have about the process of counseling, or about an individual counselor and how he/she works with you.
Sessions
l At the beginning of counseling, we typically meet with individuals once a week for 50-minute sessions, and with couples and families for 90 minutes. As counseling continues, sessions may become less frequent, every two weeks or once a month. The number of sessions varies with individuals and the nature of the concern brought to counseling. The issues of frequency and number of sessions, and the evaluation of our progress and future direction, can be raised by either one of us at any time.
Fees
l For more information about counseling fees, please call our administration office.
Cancelling Appointments
l Fees are charged for all scheduled appointments. Unless you cancel within 24 hours notice, or have an emergency (death in the family, sick), you are expected to pay for the session. Please leave a message with the receptionist or on the answering machine if we are not available to take your call.
Referrals
l We are one of many Christian and secular counselors in the area. In addition, there are psychiatrists, ministers and other mental health professionals who can also provide counseling services. If you have any questions regarding other options for helping you, please ask us and we would be pleased to assist you in finding a professional that will be of help to you.