How to Begin Counseling Services at Agape
As a potential or new client, you may have some questions about how to begin counseling services and what to expect. The beginning steps may seem quite intimidating. Sharing personal thoughts, feelings, and beliefs with a stranger would be enough to raise anxiety in anyone. Rest assured, those of us at Agape Christian Counseling Services desire to walk with you through any struggles you may have. The following are questions we hear most often from our newcomers.
What is Counseling?
Counseling is a time and space set aside for an individual, couple, or family to receive professional help for emotional and/ or behavioral difficulties. This time is collaborative between the professional and the client. This means that it is not simply time in which the client receives advice or in which the professional is a silent receiver. The work done in therapy is done as a partnership. The nature of counseling often feels different from the rest of life.
In counseling, you are invited to be honest about your past, your current life, and the way you see your future…
This level of honesty is often unwelcome or unsafe in day-to-day life. However, your safety is of utmost importance in therapy. A safe space is created to be objective, confidential, and stable in order for you to work through life’s challenges. This work is done in the context of individual counseling, group therapy, couples therapy and family counseling. All ages can benefit from professional help. Christian therapy integrates a biblical perspective with psychology in order to provide holistic care for you. Although your counselor at Agape adheres to biblical truths, it is your choice if and how a Christian perspective plays a role in your sessions.
What the first step?
The first step is to complete an intake. We will gather some information from you, about your specific needs and preferences, and our intake coordinators will match you with a counselor who would be the best fit for you. Intakes usually take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete and can be completed online, by clicking on the button below. You can also reach us by phone at 314-994-9344.
What information will I need to complete my intake?
We will ask for some basic information, such as your name and contact info, your preferences for locations and time of day, whether you have a preference of the gender of your counselor, and most importantly, we will ask a little bit about what brings you in for counseling. This will help us to match you with a counselor who can best meet your needs. If you already know what counselor you would like to see, you can request a counselor by name, during your intake. Click here to view our counselor bios.
We will also ask you to provide the name of your insurance company, and your member ID, so that we can match you with a counselor who takes your insurance plan. Typically we can find out your benefits before your first session. If you do not have insurance, we also offer a sliding fee scale option. The sliding fee scale is based on two things: 1) your annual household income 2) the number of people within the household.
Our goal is to match you with a counselor who fits well with your needs, including expertise in the areas of your focus. We also consider scheduling, insurance or sliding fee amount, and even personality. If for any reason, at all, you do not feel that the counselor you were matched with is a good fit for you, please let us know and we will re-match you with someone who is a better fit.
What are your hours?
Counselor Hours:
Our counselors are independent contractors and do all of their own scheduling. Each counselor’s hours and availability are different. Some are available Weekdays only, some have night and weekend availability. All sessions are by appointment only.
Intake / Admin Team Hours:
The Administrative Office is open Monday through Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
What is the initial session going to be like?
Your first session is a time for your counselor to get to know you. There is
usually some paperwork and/or “housekeeping” involved. You will share your story and your reason for coming to counseling. Your counselor will discuss your goals and set an individualized therapy plan with you. The counselor will also answer any questions you may have.
Paperwork and/or Housekeeping Items may include:
- Completing the Client Information Packet
- Presenting your insurance card or discussing your sliding fee scale amount
- Providing proof of income (for use with Sliding Fee Scale only)
- Reviewing the Policies and Procedures and Confidentiality Agreement with your therapist
- Agree upon on session frequency and scheduling your next appointment
We offer online paperwork via our client portal to save time during your initial session. Our Intake Team will send a link to access your client portal and paperwork, upon completion of an intake.
What is a typical session like at Agape Christian Counseling Services?
Counseling sessions at Agape Christian Counseling Services typically last 45 – 55 minutes. During this time, you and your counselor will examine the subject matter that brings you into counseling. Often, this involves looking at current behavior and thought patterns as well as possibly exploring historical areas such as past family or social relationships. Because human behavior is multifactorial, counselors at Agape Christian Counseling Services take a holistic approach to counseling, examining the cognitive, behavioral, relational, emotional, Neuropsychobiological, biophysical, family of origin, environmental, circumstantial, past experiences, and spiritual.
Most clients meet with their counselor on a weekly basis, although arrangements can be made to meet more often, or less often, depending on the situation. The counseling process does involve some commitment, as it often lasts, at minimum, about 6 to 8 weeks.
What do I do as a client?
By addressing and dealing with these areas you are beginning to take steps toward growth and healing. One important aspect of counseling is your level of participation. The common phrase, “You get out what you put in,” definitely applies here. At times, the counseling process may be challenging and may bring up issues and feelings that you would rather avoid. However, by addressing and dealing with these areas you are beginning to take steps toward healing and wholeness.
What else do I need to know?
All counselors at Agape Christian Counseling Services St. Louis adhere to a strict code of ethics, including confidentiality. In order to provide a safe and open place for you to share your struggles, Agape Christian Counseling Services counselors will not share your personal information or anything discussed in session without your permission. (Certain limitations on confidentiality do apply – see your counselor for elaboration on these areas.)
We, here at Agape Christian Counseling Services, are excited about the possibility of working with you. We want this to be a warm and inviting experience for you; as such, if you have any questions about our agency or counselors, don’t hesitate to ask. We would be glad to answer any questions you may have!