Christian Counseling Services
In response to the love of Jesus Christ for all people, this agency provides Christian human care for individuals, families, and congregations in accordance with God's Word.
You are loved & worthy of help
The search for a counselor who will support and encourage you throughout your counseling process can be exhausting. This resource helps you work through the questions to ask to find a counselor and also lists several Minnesotan Christian counselors who are in agreement with the LCMS.
Concordia Plan Services – Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Included in your Concordia Plan, you may receive six free counseling sessions per event through the Cigna Employee Assistance Program. Sessions should be scheduled through the CPS website link below.
Regardless of whether you are a CPS member or enrolled in the CHP, everyone has access to mental health resources as members of the LCMS community.
https://www.concordiaplans.org/members/my-wellness-benefits/mental-health.
Helpful Questions to Ask When Choosing a Counselor
When appropriate, and applicable, advice of your local pastor should be sought. Finding the right counselor can be an overwhelming task. This is the person you are inviting into your life, and you will be sharing your hurt, pain, frustration, shame, mistakes, hopes and joys. You want to feel both comfortable with your counselor and confident in their ability to help you.
The following questions are provided to help you in the process of finding a counselor who might be a good fit for you. Pick a few questions from the list to get started.
As you’re listening to the counselor’s responses, consider if you’re comfortable with what they say. Also, don’t hesitate to ask any other questions you need to in order to figure out if this counselor is right for you.
Questions about the counselor
What license, certification, or training qualifies you as a counselor?
What counseling issues do you feel you are best trained to handle?
What is your experience in working with _ (your issue) __?
What are your religious beliefs, and how are they practiced?
Questions about the therapy process
What do you think is the goal of therapy?
Can you tell me a bit about your approach to therapy? (How does this counselor approach problems and help the client towards healing?)
What methods do you employ?
What’s the number of sessions you think we’ll need?
What’s expected from me? (For instance, are there homework assignments?)
Questions about their accessibility
Where is your office located?
What days and times do you see people for therapy?
Questions about cost
How much do you charge for therapy sessions?
Do you accept insurance payments? Are you a provider on my network?
Do you offer a sliding scale or discounts? If so, what are the requirements?
Consider asking yourself these questions during and after your first session:
Did you feel comfortable with the counselor?
Did you feel heard by the counselor?
Does this seem like a safe place to express your thoughts, concerns and feelings?
Did the counselor seem like a real person or were they playing a role?
Was the counselor passive or active in the session? What do you like better?
Are you comfortable with the counselor’s worldview and beliefs?
Did you feel better or worse after the session?