Marriage Counseling Terms & Conditions
Thank you for considering faith-based marriage counseling as a way to strengthen your relationship and seek healing through Christ. This document outlines the nature of our discipleship counseling approach, expectations for participation, and important ethical and legal considerations.
🙏 Our Approach
Marriage counseling is offered as a form of discipleship counseling, rooted in biblical principles and a grace-based view of transformation. We do not provide psychotherapy, mental health diagnosis, or clinical treatment. Rather, we help couples explore emotional, relational, and spiritual dynamics through the lens of Scripture and the healing work of the Holy Spirit.
This process may involve:
- Joint sessions as a couple
- Individual sessions with each spouse
- Practical tools to improve communication, resolve conflict, and reconnect with God and each other
📌 Participation & Commitment
Because marriage dynamics often involve deep patterns and heart-level issues, we ask couples to:
- Commit to attend regularly as agreed upon
- Participate in a spirit of humility, openness, and grace
- Refrain from using counseling as a platform to accuse, control, or shame one another
- Understand that healing is often a process, not a quick fix
We may recommend a rhythm of one couple session per month and two individual sessions per month to address personal and relational issues effectively.
🔐 Confidentiality & Boundaries
We value your trust and take confidentiality seriously. Information shared in sessions will be kept private except in the following situations:
- You give written consent for information to be shared
- There is a legal or ethical obligation to report (e.g., abuse, neglect, or imminent danger to self or others)
- A situation arises where we believe disclosure is necessary to protect life, safety, or integrity
When working with both spouses, we encourage transparency and mutual understanding. However, we may maintain limited confidentiality during individual sessions if doing so is necessary to foster healing or establish safety—while still supporting the marriage as a whole.
👥 Who Is the Client?
In our marriage counseling process, the couple is considered the client, not either spouse individually. While individual sessions may be scheduled to explore personal patterns or struggles, the focus remains on the restoration and strengthening of the marriage.
Information shared in individual sessions may be brought into joint sessions if it is determined to be relevant to the goals of the counseling process. Confidentiality will be honored, but not used to withhold information that may affect the health of the marriage or the integrity of the counseling relationship.
⚠️ Limitations of Care
This service is not appropriate for:
- Ongoing physical or sexual abuse
- Active addiction where one or both spouses are unwilling to seek recovery
- Diagnosed mental health conditions requiring clinical intervention
- Legal custody or divorce proceedings where counselor neutrality is required
In such cases, we will refer you to licensed professionals better equipped to provide the care needed.
📄 Consent & Agreement
By engaging in marriage counseling through our discipleship model, you acknowledge that:
- You understand this is not professional therapy or licensed clinical counseling
- You voluntarily agree to participate in a faith-based, biblical counseling process
- You accept the terms outlined above, including confidentiality boundaries and limitations of care
If you have any questions or concerns, we welcome open communication and will do our best to walk with you in truth and grace.