How to Get Christian Family Counseling

It takes a smart person to admit she needs help. Many people prefer to seek Christian family counseling because it deals with the body, mind and spirit. This type of counseling may be a little hard to find, and your health care plan may be resistant, but the benefits are worth the persistence. Follow the steps below to get the help your family needs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Call your church or churches in your area and ask for recommended counselors. Look in the Yellow Pages of the phone book under Counselors-Licensed. The ads usually state if the counselor offers Christian based counseling. If not, call and ask. Also ask for churches you can call for references.
2. Go online and do a search for Christian counseling. Visit Focus on the Family's website and look for local Christian family counselors or fill out the online form for a referral to a counselor in your area (see Resources below).
3. Check with your job's human resources department. If you have an employee assistance plan or health insurance that covers family counseling, look for a provider that offers Christian family counseling. Before scheduling an appointment, call the insurance provider and get pre-approval. Many health insurance plans require patients to see a licensed counselor.
4. Set up appointments with several counselors for an initial consultation to see if they can help your family. These are usually free or low-cost.
5. Seek counseling online. Free Christian family counseling is now offered over the Internet. Visit the website Help in Christ for more information (see Resources below).
6. Ensure all family members and your health care provider agree on the counselor and format chosen. You must trust the counselor you choose or the therapy won't be effective.

Tips & Warnings

• Some clinics offer a sliding fee scale, which means you are charged for counseling according to your ability to pay.
• Ask the counselor about his college degrees and certifications and how many clients he has successfully treated with similar problems.
• Ensure you have approval from your health insurance carrier or employee assistance plan before you proceed with counseling if you want it to cover the cost.