FAQs

Here is a list of commonly asked questions. Please read these prior to your first appointment. Record any questions you may have and bring them to your first session. We will help clarify at our session. Or call the CCC office (678.413.4646) and ask your questions.

- Why is Christ Community Church doing this?
- What are the primary goals of this kind of counseling?
- Can I trust you with my problems and counseling goals?
- Do I have to be a Christian to participate in or benefit from this counseling?
- Who is a good candidate for this kind of counseling?
- Who is NOT a good candidate for this kind of counseling?
- Will you preach at me or urge me to change my beliefs?
- What should I expect from the counselor in our sessions?
- Will we be meeting alone, one-on-one?
- Why are the sessions recorded?
- Why do you only offer two free sessions?
- Why do you ask for a donation after the two free sessions?
- What is the suggested donation?
- How can I pay?

> Why is Christ Community Church doing this?

Our primary goal is to reveal the compassion and transforming grace of God to people in our community of this kind. It is our conviction that many major needs in our community can be significantly helped by sound counseling. We consider this a community service ministry. While we are happy to invite and welcome people into the life and ministry of Christ Community Church, this is not a primary goal. We offer this to help people like you - not to help us.

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> What are the primary goals of this kind of counseling?

* Joy. Rest. Peace. Security. Hope.

* We want to assist and equip people to enjoy radical and lasting personal change from the inside out.

* We will design our sessions to effectively equip people to work through their current struggles as well as the struggles they will face in the future.

* Our hope is nothing less than helping people grow into authentic humans who are deeply whole and healthy.

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> Since your counselors are not certified or licensed professionals, are they competent and qualified? Can I trust them with my problems and counseling goals?

The state of Georgia recognizes by law (GA Code 43-10A-7,b,11) the unique contribution of appropriately trained and experienced clergy in helping people grow through life's difficulties. Over and above the Georgia Statue, each counselor of this ministry will have a master's degree, a good working knowledge of secular psychological perspectives and methods, some formal training in Christian Counseling, in addition to years of experience and a proven track record of helping people navigate problems and find better lives.

Remember, you are always in the driver's seat of your counseling. Our job is to coach and offer you ideas. You may accept ideas that you feel are helpful while rejecting others. And you can stop whenever you want.

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> Do I have to be a Christian to participate in or benefit from this counseling?

No. In fact we have designed this program to be helpful to people of any religious or cultural background. Rest assured, we will respect you and your beliefs. We will make every effort to help you reach your counseling goals using your personal values and worldview.

When we offer our own personal insights or advice, our ideas will be based upon the truths of the Bible. The Bible is a wonderful textbook that helps people understand the root causes of our problems as well as offering a very practical model for human growth and change. After all, many secular recovery or self-help programs use the ideas found in the Bible to form their theoretical foundation and methods. But remember, you are invited to accept ideas that you think are sound and reject ideas you think are not valid.

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> Who is a good candidate for this kind of counseling?

- Men, women, teenagers, couples, parents, grandparents, and more.

- Individuals struggling with Depression, Anxiety , a Guilty Conscience, Self-esteem/self-image/identity issues, Grief, Anger, Sexual Struggles, help after a divorce, non-chemical addictions (pornography, shopping, gambling, etc), Life Coaching, and more.

- Couples wanting help with pre-marital counseling, divorce prevention, or help after an affair.

- People who are weary of the current situation and deeply want to change.

- People willing to spend time and energy thinking deeply about their lives.

- Courageous people willing to face hard truths and, in hope, walk towards change and growth.



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> Who is NOT a good candidate for this kind of counseling?

We are happy to come alongside people struggling with almost any situation, however we are unable to be the primary source of help for the following … people seeking to overcome psychosis or similar mental illnesses or disorders. people wanting to overcome chemical additions. young children

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> Will you preach at me or urge me to change my beliefs?

In most situations, a person's current set of ideas are not working for them. A counselor must seek to help the person identify the thoughts that need to be improved. Most counselors, regardless of the setting, will try to help you think more clearly and will urge you, at times, to change erroneous or dangerous thoughts related to the situation you are seeking to change. So at times we will offer a different perspective and alternate ways of thinking about your situation. However, we will not pressure you to change your beliefs. If you ever feel pressured, please stop the conversation and let your counselor know how you feel.

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> What should I expect from the counselor in our sessions?

No matter where you are coming from, you will be treated with empathy and dignity from a fellow life struggler. Your counselor will not present himself as an expert, but rather as one who has very similar struggles but has found practical help and hope.

Our Core Commitments

* All people need support, encouragement and guidance while journeying through life. Pain, discouragement and confusion are common to the human experience, prompting requests for assistance in our spiritual journey from time to time. At these tender times we all need a comfortable and safe place - we want to offer one. We are committed to creating an emotionally safe and supportive place for you to work on your delicate struggles.

* Respect - We do not believe the common myth that only weak people seek counseling. It is our belief that at various times in our lives, every one of us needs another person to help us see clearly and grow. Interdependence is not a sign of weakness - it is our normal condition.

We are committed to showing you the respect and dignity that is due to every one of God's creations.

* Compassion and Mercy - Jesus offered suffering people heart-felt comfort and very real beneficial solutions. In his name and fueled by his Spirit, we will make every effort to do the same.

* Truth - We live in pluralistic culture filled with competing and contradictory ideas. These conflicting ideas often cause stress within us. In addition to this, we are often surrounded by people who are either too nice or too naive to say hard things when we need to hear them. In this Hope and Help counseling ministry, we are committed to tell you the truth - about you, about your past, about your present situation, about your future - both the positive and negative truths.

Your counselor is committed to tell you the truth about encouragement and hope. There is great hope for you. We are equally committed to tell you the truth about areas where you are mistaken, misinformed, or blind because these situations are harmful to you and prevent progress towards your goals. Sometimes this seems tough and can be uncomfortable - but these words are intended for your good and growth. We are committed to speaking the truth in love.

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> Will we be meeting alone, one-on-one?

While a counseling relationship is often a one-on-one conversation between the client and the counselor, it does not have to be this way. At this time we only have a male counselor. While we understand that some women are uncomfortable talking to a man, we are convinced, based upon experience and counseling methodology, that there are many benefits to be gained when a woman counsels with a caring male counselor. And that is what we offer.

If requested, we can arrange for a caring woman to participate in your sessions. Or, even better, a female client is invited to bring a spouse, friend or family member to the sessions with her. Either of these options have great potential to actually improve the quality and results of your counseling sessions.

When the client is a teenager, a parent must at least remain in the CCC office area during the time of our counseling sessions and may occasionally be asked to join the sessions.

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> Why are the sessions recorded?

Guided by a firm commitment to confidentiality, we will follow practices utilized by many other counseling practices. The counselor may record a few notes during a session as he seeks to understand you and your situation more fully. For added protection and effectiveness, each counseling session will be video or audio recorded. These records are for your therapeutic benefit and/or internal use only.

Please understand that all clinical information will remain strictly confidential. We will act according to the strictest rules of confidentiality intending to guard personal privacy within the limits and boundaries of the law. Your personal information will never be available to anyone, unless mandated by law.

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> Why do you only offer two free sessions?

This is not intended to be a "bait and switch." We offer two free counseling sessions because this is all some people need. Some people just need to "talk it out". Others are not sure what the primary problems really are or what their counseling goals should be. In these cases, people simply need help discovering the primary issue to focus upon.

Another group of people only want a couple of sessions to "check out" the counselor - like a test drive. For all of these situations, two sessions are usually sufficient. If, after two sessions, you decide that your counselor has a good understanding of your situation and is competent to help you reach your counseling goals, you are invited to continue with your counselor, offering a donation as you go.

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> Why do you ask for a donation after the two free sessions?

Practically, Christ Community Church incurs expenses when offering this ministry. It is practically helpful to receive donations to offset some of those expenses. But more importantly, it has been proven in our experience that people who pay for their sessions take their progress more seriously. (Matthew 6:21) If your sessions were totally free, it would seems like the help you were receiving is not very valuable. It sounds strange, but the main reason we ask people to pay is so that they will gain more benefit from their counseling sessions.

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> What is the suggested donation?

This is an awkward question isn't it? It feels like we are telling you what the gift should be. Honestly, we think you should pay what you think this service is worth to you and according to what you can afford.

Here is a guideline that many find helpful: traditional personal counseling usually costs between $75.00 and $150.00. Counseling / support groups usually charge $35.00 per person per session. The suggested donation for the Hope and Help Counseling ministry is somewhere between $30.00 and $75.00 per session.

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> How can I pay?

We prefer that you write a check to Christ Community Church and bring the completed check to each session. You can also give a cash donation.

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