Notice of Privacy Practices - Counseling Records
Learn about your privacy rights under HIPAA and how your counseling records are handled with care, confidentiality, and transparency at The Anchor Biblical Counseling.
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What to Expect
At the Anchor Biblical Counseling.
Why People Seek Counseling
Most people seek counseling because they are in some kind of emotional or mental pain. You may have upsetting emotional-physical symptoms such as anxiety or compulsions, have thoughts about wanting to die, may be struggling with an addiction, have difficulties in your marriage, children that are angry or acting out in some way, or problems at work. Some of us seek counseling because of the loss of a loved one, or a debilitating illness. Others are trying to sort out some of the many difficult questions we face in this life, find direction or meaning in living, or find a deepening relationship with God.
Whatever brings us to decide that counseling might help, the decision to seek help is usually hard. And this involves disclosing information that is often embarrassing, personal and often not something that you have talked about or looked at in-depth before.
What to Expect in Counseling
Counseling is about entering into a professional relationship where you and your counselor work together to address your concerns, find answers to the problems you face and bring about life changes. Therapy often involves discussing unpleasant aspects of your life, and so feelings of sadness, anger, guilt or helplessness may surface or tensions in relationships may temporarily increase. On the other hand, counseling has been shown to have many benefits, such as finding solutions to specific problems, improving relationships and finding peace, meaning and direction in life. Unlike most visits to your medical doctor, counseling is most helpful when you are actively involved in the work of counseling while seeking a deepening relationship with God.
As your counselor I may also discuss with you and make recommendations for consults with or help from other providers when additional treatment may be needed, such as for medical problems which could be a contributing factor.
The Counseling Process
Counseling begins with focusing on the reason(s) you, or both of you, are seeking counseling. In the first several sessions I will be asking questions, gathering information and discussing with you the direction you want to take in counseling, as well as the counselor's recommendations for what will most likely help you, your relationships and/or your children.
If you are seeking counseling for younger children, I will generally want to meet alone with the parents first to get background information and to understand your concerns as parents. It is generally preferable to counsel young children in family counseling with one or both parents present. Teens often want to talk with a counselor without their parents present, but are also sometimes then involved in family counseling.
There is no set length of time you may be in counseling. The length of time you are in counseling depends on a number of factors such as the number and difficulty of issues you are requesting help with and your readiness to address those problems. Counseling normally takes much more than a few sessions, and involves a commitment of time, money and effort. It is helpful to understand that many problems take years to develop, and these same problems will take time to understand, and for changes to be made in our perceptions, beliefs and actions. Remember that at any time you wish to change the direction of counseling, take a break from or end counseling, you may do so.
If at any time you are not comfortable with me or another counselor on staff, as your clinician, you will be referred to another biblical counselor, either from TABC (The Anchor Biblical Counseling) or to an outside practice.
Limits on Confidentiality
Understand the rare situations where your confidential information may be legally disclosed without consent, including safety concerns, abuse reporting, legal proceedings, and insurance claims — all with your protection and privacy in mind.
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