Frequently asked questions

Are you a licensed counseling professional?

I do not hold a state or provincial license in counselling. I want to keep my counsel strictly from the Word of God and be able to speak it without any interference. I do have a Masters of Arts in Biblical Counselling and have over 15 years of pastoral experience, which includes many hours of counselling.

Currently I am working on obtaining my Masters of Divinity from Maranatha Baptist Seminary. I am also currently working through the certification process with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (biblicalcounseling.com).

What is biblical/nouthetic counseling? How is it different from other counseling?

Biblical counseling uses God’s Word as the ultimate guide for addressing life’s problems, in contrast to secular counseling which relies on man's knowledge and ability. Unlike therapy that only gives coping strategies, biblical counseling aims for heart transformation and spiritual growth. Biblical counselling believes that true hope and healing come from God, not from within ourselves​.

Why do you charge the price you do? Why can't it be free?

To put it simply, I charge the hourly rate because I need to provide for my family. To some my hourly rate seems high, while to others my hourly rate seems low. Something to remember is that for every session that takes place, I typically spend another hour or more with those session notes to review, pray over and to study up on relevant topics to meet the counselees needs.

I try to keep the cost as accessible as possible while still being able to provide for my family, which is why I opened the financial aid fund. I want anyone seeking biblical counsel to find it but I also need to be responsible as the provider for my family.

Can your counselors diagnose mental disorders or prescribe medication?

The answer is no. Biblical counselors are not medical doctors, and most are not licensed psychologists, so they do not diagnose clinical conditions formally nor prescribe drugs. If I believe a counselee needs medication or a formal diagnosis, I will refer them to a physician for that aspect of care.

Will my conversations be kept confidential?

Yes, everything discussed is kept with strict confidentiality, but there are a few important exceptions.

1. Threats of harm to self or others (e.g. suicide risk or intention to commit violence) – I will notify the appropriate authorities.

2. Suspected child or elder abuse – It is mandatory for me to report child protection services or police if abuse is revealed​.

3. If required by law or a court (for example, if counseling was court-ordered and the court needs confirmation of attendance).

4. There may be times where I will consult another counselor for professional advice, while protecting your identity as much as possible.

Do I have to be a Christian to receive help?

Anyone is welcome to seek counseling, but biblical truth will be the basis of advice. You don’t have to already subscribe to Christian beliefs to attend, but I will be open about using the Bible and Christian principles. In other words, you are going to hear a lot about God and what the Bible has to say about your circumstances, as that is the basis of true change and soul care.

What if I need to cancel?

Our current policy is requires 24-hour notice for cancellations to proceed with a refund, this allows us to reschedule that slot for someone else​. In case of emergencies, while we don't offer refunds, we will just reschedule your session for the following week.

What should I do before or bring to my session?

There are a few things that are essential to a productive session. First, bring your Bible, a notebook, pen and highlighter. Second, find a comfortable and quiet place for our session to take place.