Q: Does the Center provide counseling to children?
A: The Center does not provide counseling to children under 13 years of age, except in the context of family therapy. Older children may receive services with the permission and participation of their parents or legal guardians. 
Q: Will my counselor be Christian?
A: Most counselors at the Center belong to and/or serve as clergy in a mainline
Christian denomination.
Q: Will my counselor preach at me or try to convert me?
A: No. Counselors use their theological training to provide the most effective care
possible, but your individual faith commitments will be respected. You will
decide if religion and/or spirituality will be talked about during counseling.
Q: What if I can’t afford the lowest fee on the Center’s sliding-fee scale?
A: Those who cannot afford the Center’s lowest fee may apply for a reduced fee or
a fee waiver. The Center strives to make pastoral counseling available to all
who may benefit, regardless of ability to pay.
Q: Will the Center accept my insurance or Medicare/Medicaid?
A: No. The Center does not accept third-party payment of any kind. You may,
however, set a fee equal to your insurance co-payment.
Q: What if I come to the Center for an assessment, but I don’t like my counselor?
A: If, at the conclusion of your first session, you do not feel your counselor can
provide you with effective care, you may discuss the situation with the Center’s
director and asked to be transferred to another counselor.
Q: Why are the Center’s counseling sessions videotaped?
A: Counseling sessions are videotaped for purposes of supervision and consultation
within the Center. The tapes are kept in a locked file and do not leave the
building. At the conclusion of your counseling process, the videotapes will be
erased.
Q: How many sessions of counseling will I need?
A: No one can predict how many sessions will be necessary to address a particular
concern in counseling. Most counseling at the Center, however, is completed in
fewer than 10 sessions.
Q: What are the qualifications of the Center’s staff?
A: Most counselors at the Center have served previously as parish pastors, chaplains,
and pastoral counselors. They are now pursuing advanced training at Brite Divinity School. The Center’s faculty and consultants all hold Ph.D. degrees and
are certified and/or licensed as counselors.
Q: Are there any problems the Center can’t help me with?
A: The Center is not equipped to provide services to people struggling with
substance abuse; people seeking to change violent behavior; people actively
contemplating suicide; children under 13 years of age (except in the context of
family therapy); and people with an impairment that does not allow them to
benefit from psychotherapy.
Q: Will I be able to work with a bilingual counselor?
A: Occasionally, a bilingual counselor works at the Center. This, however, is rare;
you should expect your counseling sessions to be conducted in English.
Q: Does the Center offer group counseling?
A: The Center occasionally offers group counseling opportunities.
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