Introduction

Welcome to Anchored Hope! We have prepared this description of our background, approach, and other information that is important for our clients. Please read carefully so you can make informed decisions about your counseling. If you have questions or concerns, at any time, feel free to discuss them directly with your counselor. Thank you for choosing Anchored Hope and we look forward to the opportunity to serve you.

Description of Counseling

Our approach to counseling is best described as biblical counseling. You do not have to be a Christian to receive biblical counseling, however we will be using biblical principles as a guide. While some of our counselors are licensed, not all of them are professional counselors or professional therapists as described by the state you reside in. If you require a Licensed Professional Counselor, please see if you live in a state where our LPCs reside. Regardless of license, Anchored Hope counselors are trained in using the Bible in all counseling situations and are committed to providing biblical counsel with the Bible as the authoritative standard. Besides clinically informed biblical counseling, Anchored Hope does not provide professional clinical counseling or mental health services.

Fees

A Traditional Individual Counseling session is $90 per 50-minute session, $120 per 75- minute session, and $160 per 100-minute session. Your first introduction session will be a 90-minute counseling session at $90. A Marriage Counseling session is $125 per 50-minute session. Your first introduction session will be a 90-minute counseling session at $125.

Payment is due in full at the time of each session. We do not accept insurance.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process, and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us. To release confidential counseling information without your consent or understanding would violate both biblical standards and commonly accepted counseling ethics. There are rare situations, however, where it may be necessary for your counselor to share certain information with others such as suspected abuse, potential self-harm, litigation, criminal proceedings, the safety or welfare of a minor or the elderly, or shared information with another counselor or physician with your written permission. Your situation may be discussed with the AH counseling team and counseling supervisor but without sharing your name. This will add significant wisdom to help address your needs.

We may use or disclose certain personal information while providing you with information about treatment alternatives, training opportunities, or fundraising. You may contact us to request that these materials not be sent to you. Other uses and disclosures of your information or counseling notes will be made only with your written authorization, unless otherwise permitted or required by law as described above. You may revoke your authorization, at any time, in writing.

Dual relationships

“Dual relationships” in counseling refer to any situation in which counselors and counselees have another relationship or association in addition to that of counselor- counselee, such as knowing one another from church or in the community. Not all dual relationships are avoidable or unethical. However, counseling NEVER involves sexual contact or any other dual relationship that is harmful in nature to the counselee or impairs your counselor’s judgment. Your counselor will thoughtfully consider each situation before entering dual relationships. Dual relationships can improve counseling but also have the capability to detract from it. Often it is impossible to know this ahead of time. It is your responsibility to communicate to your counselor if a dual relationship becomes uncomfortable for you in any way. Your counselor will always listen carefully and respond accordingly to your feedback and will discontinue the dual relationship if he/she finds it interfering with your counseling or your wellbeing. In this case, another counselor may be recommended for continued care.

Late Cancellations/Missed Appointments

All scheduling, rescheduling, or cancellation requests must be made through the online calendar using our online platform at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. If you fail to give notice of cancellation 24 hours before your scheduled appointment, your credit or debit card will be charged for the full amount of the missed session you reserved. When we hold an appointment slot, we turn other people away. It’s not fair to the people we must turn away or to the counselor if you do not pay for the time held for you. Canceling or rescheduling your appointment 24 hours before the appointment time, allows us to offer your appointment time to those on a waiting list and those in crisis. We apply the cancellation policy without favoritism and with uniformity to all clients to whom it applies.

Help Between Sessions

In emergencies we cannot guarantee that your counselor will be available. If you face an emergency, please dial 911.

Resolving Conflicts and Disputes

If you have any dispute with (or claim against) Anchored Hope, you agree to participate in a process of conciliation which involves a commitment to settling this dispute or claim by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration. Each of these steps shall be carried out in accordance with the Rules of Procedure for Christian Conciliation of the Institute for Christian Conciliation, a division of Peacemaker® Ministries. (A complete text of the Rules is available at http://www.peacemaker.net.) Judgment upon an arbitration decision may be entered in any court otherwise having jurisdiction. The parties understand that these methods shall be the sole remedy for any controversy or claim arising out of this agreement and expressly waive their right to file a lawsuit in any civil court against one another for such disputes, except to enforce an arbitration decision.