CHRISTIAN BASED BIBLICAL PHONE COUNSELING
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

Jean LeStourgeon, MA, Licensed Mental Health Counselor 730 Emerson Dr NE, Palm Bay, FL 32907 email me by clicking here.

Why Telephone Counseling?
Telephone counseling may be appropriate for people who are looking for a counselor with a specific expertise that they cannot find in their area. Additionally some areas of the country are very limited in Christian counselors and by providing telephone counseling as a service this makes Christian counseling more accessible.

To participate in telephone Christian Counseling you will be asked to complete the necessary paperwork, as all clients are required to do and to mail or fax them to me. This will aid me in getting to know you better and what your needs are.

How Long Will the Counseling Last?
Most people who enter into a counseling relationship wonder "How long will I have to be in counseling?" First of all counseling is voluntary and you have the right to terminate at any time. However the pace and duration of counseling largely is determined by you and what you want to accomplish and how much effort you are willing to put into accomplishing your goals.

Typically, I meet with clients on a weekly basis at first and then graduate to bi weekly and then to a monthly time of maintenance and support. Depending on the individual/couples goals and objectives this process can take from a few months to a year or more. The average length of time is around 6 months. Again, your progress largely depends on you and the effort you are willing to put into accomplishing your goals.

Advantages and Limitations of Phone Counseling?
Because entering into a counseling relationship is often a very courageous step for people telephone counseling can make it easier to take that step.

Some of the following may also be benefits for you:

• Save money because the fees are less than a traditional office visit.
• Convenient because you don't have to travel or take time off from work.
• Comfortable because you are in the privacy and convenience of your own home, office or car
• Anonymity, therefore it may be easier for you to open up and trust more which may aid in accomplishing more in a shorter period of time.

The following may be limitations for you:

• You may be more comfortable, trusting etc with a counselor who is physically present.
• Communication may be more difficult because your counselor cannot see your facial expressions and body language, which makes it more difficult for her to understand what you are feeling.
• Phone counseling is not appropriate for clients who are suicidal/homicidal, in crisis or struggling with serious emotional problems.
• Phone counseling is generally not reimbursable by your insurance.

Because of the limitations of phone counseling it is imperative that the client and counselor communicate clearly and that the client take responsibility for communicating as much as possible about their thoughts and feelings.

Phone and Internet Confidentiality:
Your counselor will do everything she can to provide you with 100% confidentiality. However if cordless phones, cell phones, and Internet transmissions are used, though the risk is very small, it is not possible to guarantee 100% confidentiality.

For more information about Jean and her personal testimony click here.

When Telephone Counseling is not Appropriate
Jean does not offer crisis counseling over the phone. However, if you are in crisis or you know someone else who is it is very important that you get help immediately!

If the crisis involves harm to you or to another person, phone 911 for immediate assistance.

If talking to someone right now would be helpful and you live in the United States, phone 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).

If you live in another country, log onto www.suicide-helplines.org.

More Information about Christian Counseling
Click here for more information about Jean's approach to counseling and to help you decide whether Christian phone counseling is for you.

Also, please visit Jean's Christian Counseling web site at:
www.Christian-Counseling-Online.com