Unique Assumptions
Christian Counselors have an understanding of the attributes of God, the nature of human beings, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, the forgiveness of God, and hope for the future.
Unique Goals
The Christian Counselor seeks to help clients change behavior, attitudes, values, and/or perceptions. We attempt to teach social skills; to give support in time of need; to teach responsibility; to instill insight; to guide as decisions are made; to help clients mobilize inner and environmental resources in times of crisis; to teach problem solving skills; and to increase client competence.
But the Christian Counselor goes farther. He or she seeks to stimulate spiritual growth in clients; to encourage confession of sin and the experience of divine forgiveness; to model Christian standards, attitudes, values and lifestyles; to present the Gospel message, encouraging clients to commit their lives to Jesus Christ; and to stimulate counselees to develop values and live lives that are based on biblical teaching, instead of living in accordance with relativistic, humanistic standards.
Unique Methods
Our counseling techniques have at least four characteristics: to arouse the belief that help is possible, to correct erroneous beliefs about the world, to develop competencies in social living, and to help clients accept themselves as persons of worth.
Christian Counselors would, with some frequency, pray in the counseling session, read the Scriptures, gently confront with Christian truth, or encourage clients to become involved in a local church.
At the core of all true Christian helping is the influence of the Holy Spirit. His presence and influence make Christian counseling truly unique. It is He Who gives the most effective counselor characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. He is the comforter who teaches “all things,” reminds us of Christ’s sayings, convicts people of sin, and guides us into all truth.
Our Uniqueness
Counseling Solutions at St. Matthew’s Institute is also unique in that our counselors are trained and licensed Temperament Counselors. Temperament Therapy begins with the assumption that each of us is created as unique individuals. This counseling helps you to discover your own uniqueness and, in that discovery, why you do the things you do. Because Temperament Therapy deals with the inner man, not just symptoms, you will receive real answers to your problems. As a result counseling is more thorough and takes less time. Your counselor will use other theories as well, but the backbone of your counseling will be Temperament Therapy, which has been proven to be highly effective.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is as important to us as it is to you. Confidentiality may be broken if you:
- Report child or elder abuse or neglect
- Report that you intend to hurt yourself or someone else
- File a suit against us
- Give permission to us to discuss your case
Health Insurance
We believe that the combination of HMO’s and the Internet jeopardizes confidentiality. A recent newspaper article indicated that HMO’s are beginning to place medical records on Internet servers. Hence, computer hackers could conceivably retrieve private medical information. St. Matthew’s Institute does not file health insurance claims. Therefore, there is no danger of your counseling records being placed at risk in this growing arena.
Additionally, since no insurance claims and reports are filed, you will not have any potentially damaging counseling records following you around in the future. For example, a life insurance company could deny coverage to someone who had told a counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist that they had battled suicidal thoughts.
Again, welcome to Counseling Solutions at St. Matthew’s Institute. We believe that your experience here will be rich and rewarding.
(Parts of this document were excerpted from, Christian Counseling, A Comprehensive Guide, by Gary R. Collins, Phd and, “Understanding Reconciliation Today,” by Lawrence E. Mick.)
