ABOUT US

Hope Counseling Center is a ministry of Liberty Heights Church. We are dedicated to offering quality biblical counseling to individuals, couples and families as well as providing training opportunities for individuals who desire to become counselors. We exist and desire to help all come to know Jesus Christ and grow in their personal faith.


We currently offer both in-person and virtual sessions, based on your personal needs. All individuals who desire counseling, must start by filling out the Personal Data Inventory available on the Meet With A Counselor page.

WHAT IS BIBLICAL COUNSELING?

Biblical counseling is committed to the position that the Bible provides the only authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17). The Biblical Counselor is trained in the use of Scripture and the principles of biblical counseling. He/she does not base his/her counsel on man’s wisdom, opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior, (Isaiah 55:8-11) but seeks to bring the full range of Biblical truth to focus on the counselee’s need (Hebrews 4:12).

THE SCOPE

Biblical counseling deals with the entire range of problems confronting mankind including: broken marriages, parent child relationships, fear, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, anxiety, worry and any other problems that may result in mental and/or physical immobility. In short the Biblical Counselor is equipped to deal with any problem dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God or our fellow man (2 Peter 1:3).

MEDICAL NEEDS

Biblical counselors believe in the total health needs of the counselee. Your counselor may recommend that you have a full or specified medical examination. If medical assistance is required, counseling will continue in conjunction with medical advice.

TEAM COUNSELING

Counseling is, at times, done in teams. When team counseling is pursued, sessions are conducted with a lead counselor and one or two assistant counselors in attendance (Proverbs 11:14; 15:22; 18:17; 20:18; 24:6; Matthew 18:16).

ELEMENTS OF BIBLICAL COUNSELING

Your counselor will use all of his/her skill in applying Biblical principles to enable you to glorify God in your life and to enable you to gain victory over the problems that are depriving you of the peace and joy that God has promised to you in His Word. Your counselor will concentrate in three areas that are necessary for Biblical change to take place.

  • HOPE

    In Jesus Christ we have a great High Priest who has suffered and been tempted in all things, yet He never sinned. Because of Christ, even though you may be facing every sin common to man, you can have victory. God has promised that He will not let you be tempted beyond your endurance and that He will provide a way for you to have victory in the midst of your temptation. (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:14-16).

  • CHANGE

    In Christ we can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can learn to please God in every area of our lives. We can learn to live a godly life and to live in such a way that we will be increasing in our knowledge of God and our ability to relate to others. Biblical counseling will enable you to make practical changes. (Eph. 4:20-24; Col.1:10).

  • PRACTICE

    God is pleased when we not only hear His Word, but put it into practice. Insight is the beginning of change, not the end. God’s blessing comes through the actual practice of the Scriptures. (James 1:22-25; Proverbs 28:13).

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Length of Counseling: The length of counseling can vary by situation, but the goal of the counseling process is to thoroughly and adequately address your concerns in a timely manner, without unnecessary waste of resources. Regardless, a counselor/counseling team may find it necessary to end a counseling relationship in certain situations. These situations include, but are not limited to, a failure to attend scheduled sessions, excessive cancellations, prolonged periods without meeting, incomplete assignments or a general unwillingness to practice and heed counsel given.


Appointments: Your appointments will be scheduled with your counselor/counseling team. If you are unable to attend a counseling session, please notify the counseling office at least 24 hours before the session.


Waiting Period: If a counselor/counseling team is not immediately available, you will be counseled as soon as possible on a one-time basis. During this session, the counselor/counseling team will provide a plan for you to follow while you are waiting for the regularly scheduled sessions. You may be asked to listen to a message or to read a book or other materials related to your problems. This way you can begin to work on solutions to your problems immediately.


Local Church Involvement: In order to achieve lasting victory over the problems of life, it is vital that each person become established in a consistent Christian walk. The Lord has provided the local church as the discipleship center (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Therefore, it is important that counseling sessions be accompanied by church attendance and participation in a local church.


Materials Needed and Expectations: You will need a notebook and your Bible at all sessions, including the first session. Be sure to bring them each time. Come with high expectations. You will find hope and encouragement even during your first session. We are absolutely confident that the Word of God has solutions to all of life's problems (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3) and that includes an answer to the difficulty that prompted you to come.


Cost: Hope Counseling Center operates on a contribution basis, according to what each person is able to give. We ask that those who come for counseling (and are not current members of LHC) invest in their own growth by making a $50 donation at the start of each session. However, we desire for gospel-centered counseling to be accessible to everyone and will assist with the fee if you are unable to meet this financial request.


Canceling Your Appointment: Please provide a minimum 24 hour cancellation notice.


Consent to Counsel: We ask all individuals to read and sign our Consent to Counsel form. This form must be returned before you begin your counseling sessions. This form enables the counselee to affirm that he/she understands that all of our counseling is based on the Bible.