Most people never think about counseling or selecting a counselor until they are already in crisis. Unfortunately, this is not an ideal time to be trying to make good decisions about something as important as a counselor. So, to make the process a little easier, here are some questions to help make an informed decision.
What should you expect to pay? One of the first things to come up in the selection of a counselor for many people is cost. Some medical insurance policies will either pay for counseling services or at least reimburse the insured. It's important to know what the terms and restrictions are. But pushing the question of insurance aside, let's consider the cost of counseling. Common rates are anywhere from $80 to $120 per session. Number of people in the session and testing done may affect the cost. Of course there are those that charge more or less. However the old adage, you get what you pay for does not necessarily apply here. Especially with faith based counselors, they may be offering their services because they feel that to be their calling not their job. Free counseling is however the exception not the rule. Don't give up hope just because your wallet is empty! If you are ready to seek counseling but the cost is a deal breaker, there might be some hope. A number of counselors and counseling offices have what is called a sliding scale. What this means is that they have a base rate that they may even advertise. But, they will reduce that rate according to the income of the client. To take advantage of a sliding scale system, you will probably need to fill out a form and provide some sort of income verification. Who should you trust? There are a variety of counseling strategies and tools out there. But just like doctors and lawyers, counselors have oversight. To legally charge for counseling services, a counselor must either be licensed through their state or be a minister. State Licensing We won't talk much about state licensing here as each state has their own rules and guidelines. Suffice it to say that you can certainly ask to see a counselor's license if you have any questions. Faith Based Counseling Ministers may also offer counseling services, either as part of another ministry, like a church, or as a separate ministry. But what is a minister? To be a minister, one must be sanctioned through a faith body. Words like ordained, commissioned, or licensed minister all can be used. Like the state licensing, there should be some sort of official certificate from the faith body that you can ask to see. Beyond being a minister, many faith based counselors also pursue some additional sort of licensing. This extra licensing would typically indicate that the counselor has met the approval of the licensing body and the license would be renewed periodically. This extra licensing should tell you that the counselor has specialized training and that they meet the approval of a licensing board. What is the methodology? This question has a much more complicated answer. There are many different methodologies or schools of thought out there. The average counseling client isn't going to learn about them all. But there are some things you can ask. What's the expected duration of counseling? Admittedly this is a loaded question. Every individual is different and the course of counseling will vary according to the problems of the client and compliance with the counselor's suggestions among other things. But you want to know if the counselor expects most people to complete counseling in a matter of weeks or a matter of years. What's the success rate? A success rate is defined by solving the problem in the client's life to a degree that future treatment is not required. Just like the question above, the client, the issues at hand, and the compliance of the client all play a part in this. But the average success rate for a methodology can range anywhere from 50% all the way up to 95%. Do you, the client, have a faith system. Nobody can miss the headlines today about the battles between people of faith and the world. Counseling is no different. Each state has their own rules about what a counselor can and can not say or do. In some states, a state licensed counselor can not pray with the client or make moral statements even if the counselor and client share a common faith. So, for example, you can have a counselor who is also a Christian, or you can have a Christian counselor. For many clients, this does matter. Even if you are not a person of faith, it might be good to know that the counselor is. If you are considering a faith based counselor but are not a person of faith, you can ask the counselor how they handle that. Many will respect your stand even if their counsel comes from a faith background. How does GIFT answer these questions? At GIFT, our goal and purpose is to help people. Because of that, we want to make counseling as affordable as possible. So, we have a reasonable base rate AND a sliding scale. To find out your rate, we need to know your income. Please talk to us if you are concerned about an ability to pay and let us see if we can't work something out. Reverend Matthew Hogan is a Licensed Pastoral Counselor and member of the National Christian Counselors Association. At GIFT, because our goal is to help, we don't want to keep you coming to counseling any longer than YOU need. Typically, our first review is at or around six weeks, meeting once weekly. In studies, our methodology had a 95% success rate. Rev. Hogan is a Christian Counselor. This means that all his advice and counsel is based on Biblical teachings. However, he will discuss with you any concerns you might have regarding your personal beliefs. Please use the "Contact Us" link to start a discussion.
2 Comments
5/24/2023 04:18:51 am
To find the right counselor for you:
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8/25/2023 12:17:32 am
Finding the right counselor involves research, self-reflection, and seeking recommendations. Assess your needs, preferred therapy style, and compatibility with potential therapists. Conduct interviews, ask questions, and consider their expertise. A trusting and comfortable therapeutic relationship is essential for effective counseling, so take time to find the best fit for your unique situation.
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AuthorRev. Matthew Hogan is a Certified Temperament Pastoral Counselor, Licensed Pastoral Counselor and is a Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association Archives
March 2021
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