FAQ

• What is counseling?
• Who needs counseling?
• Is counseling confidential?
• What should I expect when I call Twelve Stones?
• What should I expect in the first session?
• What happens in a counseling session?
• How long does counseling take?
• What is the goal of counseling?
• How often does counseling occur?
• How much will it cost?
• What about insurance?
• What role does spirituality play in counseling?
• What about counseling groups?
• Where does the name Twelve Stones come from?

What is counseling?

Counseling is the process of one person giving certain kinds of help to another who is in need. This can include help in dealing with emotional, spiritual, or relational issues, or guidance in making important life decisions.

Though we usually think of a counselor as someone who counsels professionally, all of us act as counselors from time to time. We are all sometimes in a position to offer needed care or support to someone else.

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Who needs counseling?

Our society often gives the impression that only people who are "really messed up" need counseling. You are more likely to hear people make jokes about people needing counseling than you are to hear people talk about their own need for counseling! Many people who consider coming to counseling feel ashamed of their need.

In actuality though, everyone needs counseling on some level. Being aware of that need is a sign of maturity. We all have times when we are struggling in life. We all have times when we are unsure of how to proceed, or how to deal with the emotions we feel. The next time you're in a public place, look around you: Every person that you see needs other people! It's not a sign of being "really messed up"; it's a sign of being human!

Does this mean that everyone needs professional counseling? Not exactly. Of course, who couldn't benefit from having a little bit of time set aside every week to be listened to and cared for? Ideally, we would all have people in our lives - friends, family, spiritual directors or other trusted caregivers - who meet our needs for support and guidance. Some of us, however, have not been blessed with a support system, or don't know how to develop one. Some people have even been betrayed by those who should have cared for them.

Even with a support system, there are times when we get "stuck" in life. We come across issues that we simply don't know how to handle. It is normal from time to time to get overwhelmed and confused with what life throws at you!

At other times, people are dealing with private issues that they don't feel comfortable sharing with anyone else. Talking with a professional counselor ensures that they won't have to worry about who will find out about their struggles.

Finally, some of us have special needs that require the help of someone with experience working through those issues. Those who are working through deep past wounds, addiction, depression, marital struggles, grief and loss, sexual struggles, and a variety of other issues may want to talk to a counselor.

All of these are examples of times when someone might choose to seek out professional counseling. In the end, however, only you can decide if professional counseling is what you need. No one else can make this decision for you, but if you are unsure what to do, the counselors at Twelve Stones would be glad to talk through it with you.

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Is counseling confidential?

Yes. All professional counselors are bound by strict legal and ethical confidentiality guidelines. There are a limited number of situations in which counselors are required by law to report certain pieces of information - such as child abuse, or intention to harm oneself or someone else. In the vast majority of cases, however, confidentiality guidelines ensure that your counseling session is a safe place for you to share absolutely anything that you need to share to get the care you need.

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What should I expect when I call Twelve Stones?

When you call Twelve Stones, a trained counselor will answer the phone. He or she will spend a few minutes talking with you to determine which of our counselors would be best for you. (This will depend on a number of factors: counselor specialty, the particular issues you are dealing with, as well as your own preference.)

If you have any questions about Twelve Stones or the counseling process, these may be discussed as well. (Keep in mind, however, that more in-depth questions will need to be discussed in the context of a counseling appointment.)

If you call and reach our voice mail system, feel free to leave a message. Our voice mail is confidential, and we will do our best to return your call within 24 hours.

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What should I expect in the first session?

When you arrive at Twelve Stones, we will first ask you to spend some time filling out a few forms. The main purpose of this is to provide your counselor with background information to help him or her care for you better. (If possible, we encourage you to arrive 15 minutes prior to your first session so that the paperwork will not cut into your session time or you can download the forms here and bring the completed forms with you to the first session.) Your counselor will spend a few minutes discussing fees, confidentiality and how we handle scheduling appointments. You can also feel free at this time to ask your counselor any questions you have about the process.

In the first couple sessions, your counselor will likely spend more time asking you for background information to get an idea about who you are. This will help your counselor to better care for you in later sessions. If you have pressing issues that require immediate attention, feel free to bring them up right away.

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What happens in a counseling session?

In a session, you will be able to express ideas, feelings, thoughts, and concerns. You can ask questions, complain, and think out loud. Your counselor will respond to you with the care, empathy, respect, and dignity you deserve as a human being, a child of God. Your counselor will seek to get to know you on a heart level, and provide you with a safe environment to work through your struggles at your own pace.

The deep problems that we struggle with rarely have simple solutions. Your counselor won't be like a medical doctor who searches for a simple diagnosis and prescribes a simple solution. Your counselor will be a lot more like a guide who walks with you through a difficult journey.

In life's journey, we encounter all kinds of obstacles: mountains, deserts, impassable rivers, and dark forests. Even the wisest counselor can't usually make these obstacles go away. But a good counselor can help you to find wise and healthy ways of dealing with the obstacles you are facing. He or she can also help you to see unhealthy coping mechanisms of which you may not be aware, and additionally, helps you to know that you are not alone in the midst of your struggle.

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How long does counseling take?

The number of sessions depends on the issues, the level of support you have, and how long the issues have existed. Although some people will see noticeable changes after just a few sessions, three to four months is usually considered brief therapy.

Therapy usually progresses quicker when a person has a strong support system outside of counseling. Those who are more willing to do whatever work is required to get better (including possible "homework" assignments) are also more likely to see results.

Ultimately, only you can decide when you are done with counseling. This happens when you reach a point of confidence that you are no longer "stuck" or that your needs can be sufficiently met without counseling.

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What is the goal of counseling?

The specific goal of counseling will vary from person to person, depending on the issues.

Some people come to counseling hoping for a "quick fix" to their problems, hoping that someone can make them feel better without them having to change anything. Though simple solutions do sometimes present themselves, the process of becoming emotionally healthy usually requires us to make some difficult changes.

We should always be wary of counselors, books, magazine articles, etc. that offer us the hope of a pain-free existence. Sadly, pain and difficulty are a part of life. However, we believe that it is possible to live abundantly in the midst of difficulty.

What do you think it means for a person to live abundantly - to be fully alive? Imagine a man who engages with whatever life brings him each day with fervor and confidence, even when he knows there is a possibility he will fail. Imagine a woman who is able to embrace whatever the future may bring her even though she knows she will sometimes encounter pain that will bring her to tears. Imagine what it would be like for you to live your life passionately, dreaming of the possibilities and courageously embracing the risks.

If you entrust us to help you, our hope is that we can help you come a step or two closer to this reality.

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How often does counseling occur?

For the majority of clients, therapy occurs once a week. However, in some cases, your counselor may recommend more frequent sessions. If you feel a need for more frequent sessions, you may discuss this with your counselor.

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How much will it cost?

$115 per session.

Reduced fee sessions are available to those who qualify. Please do not let cost deter you from beginning therapy.

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What about insurance?

We believe the counselor and client should determine the appropriate course of counseling and should not be decided by a third party in another location. Therefore, we do not file any type of medical insurance. We do, however, provide a form which contains all the necessary information required by insurance groups for those clients who choose to use out of network coverage.

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What role does spirituality play in counseling?

The counselors at Twelve Stones are all Christians. Our belief in God motivates us to love people and care for them, and this belief naturally influences everything that we do.

At the same time, we believe in "client-directed" therapy. What this means is that a good counselor won't force ideas on you, tell you what to do or believe, or tell you how to live your life. A good counselor will help you walk along your own path, to make your own decisions and become a more responsible, emotionally healthy person.

We believe that all personal growth is the result of God working in our lives - whether we realize it or not. So, in one sense, we believe that spirituality plays an essential role in all counseling, even if God is never talked about. However, it is absolutely up to you how much you want to talk about spirituality in your counseling.

If you have any questions or concerns about how your personal beliefs might affect your counseling, don't hesitate to ask.

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What about counseling groups?

Counseling groups are a wonderful way to get help by interacting with other people with similar struggles. Groups offer a unique experience that many have found to be invaluable to their personal growth.

Counselors at Twelve Stones offer groups from time to time on a variety of topics. If you are interested in joining a group or want to find out what groups are available, please call us!

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Where does the name Twelve Stones come from?

Our name comes from a story from the Old Testament, in the book of Joshua. The story tells us that when the Israelites were entering into the land that God had promised to give them, God miraculously caused the Jordan River to dry up so that the Israelites could cross over into the land. After forty years of struggling and wandering in the desert, the Israelites would finally have a home! To remember what God had done, the Israelites took twelve stones from the place where the river had been and set them up as a memorial.

Maybe you have spent many years struggling and wandering through a desert in your life. Our hope is that Twelve Stones Counseling Center will become a place where you find help. We hope that the time you spend in counseling will be like crossing over a river into a new place of healing and relief. We believe that your time at Twelve Stones can become like a memorial that reminds you of the healing you have received, giving you hope and joy in any struggles that you face in your future.

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If you have more questions, feel free to e-mail us at info@twelvestonescounseling.com.