Patient Resources

HeartLife clinicians are licensed professionals. While we have been trained in the psychological sciences, we fully ascribe and attest to a biblical worldview. HeartLife’s approach is to view soul-problems from a biblical anthropology – not a philosophy developed by man. We view the term psychology as the Bible does – the study of the soul.

Some Christian or Biblical Counselors reject all aspects of medical or psychological science. That is not our position. It is our contention that good science will reveal and support the truths in the Holy Scriptures. We work closely with Christian Physicians when medical issues may cause or contribute to psychospiritual problems.

It is our mission to support the local church as the authoritative institution for the cure and care of souls. Thank you for allowing us to introduce ourselves to you.

What to expect.

Whether you have been to counseling before or you are coming to counseling the first time, you are probably wondering what to expect when you enter a counseling relationship. As Christian counselors, we at HeartLife use the term relationship and soul-care from a distinctively Biblical perspective. We enter a professional, caring role with you defined in our registration form.

God created individuals to be in relationship with Him and with each other. Christ met individuals where they were, and we seek to do the same. It is not our position to judge; instead we desire to extend truth in love, grace, and enter your journey of healing with you. We understand that, “all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God.” Christ said, “the Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” It is our mission to join Him in this ministry of redemption and reconciliation.

If you are burdened by experiences of the past, present struggles, relationship difficulties, depression or anxiety, HeartLife professionals are here to help. We recognize that if you are viewing this site, you or someone you know may be seeking guidance or help. We are prepared to help and offer a wide range of services.

What if I am not a Christian?

We have a professional and ethical obligation to inform all seeking services of our therapeutic orientation. We are Christians and obligated to follow Christ’s example – extend His love and grace to all people. All therapy explores a participant’s belief system and evaluates its role in health, happiness, or distress. Everyone is welcome at HeartLife and all professional relationships are clearly defined up front. Should you determine another therapeutic orientation is what you desire, we will explore that with you; and if necessary, make appropriate referrals.

Insurance and Managed Care

We are often asked why we don’t have relationships with insurance or Managed Care Companies (MCO’s). Christians seeking professional counseling or psychological services may have benefits under their health plan that may cover a portion of professional counseling/psychological services. We completely understand the necessity for some to use their benefits; however we have chosen not to pursue contracts with MCO’s for a number of reasons. I will start with the philosophical reasons first.

Current diagnostic and treatment protocols do not include sin, redemption, or anything Christian. The major personality theorists and secular psychologies vary in their view on the nature of humankind. Secular and humanistic theories conflict with the nature of man according to the Bible. Therefore, a Christian therapist is going to view problems, their cure and causation, from a different perspective. We view outward problems as the manifestation of a “heart” issue. God’s approach to healing is from the “inside out,” not from the “outside in.” We cannot heal the deeper issues of the heart using modern case management protocols for symptom reduction. When the prophet Jeremiah spoke for God, he addressed superficial “cures,” They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, Saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ But there is no peace (Jeremiah 6:14 NASB). Healing is a difficult process that requires truth, trust, authenticity, and grace within the context of the professional relationship.

There are some very practical reasons we have chosen to not contract with MCO’s. If a clinician has a contract with an MCO, a dual authority is in play – one to the client/patient and another to the MCO. The clinician must report to the MCO regarding progress and details of counseling. Based on these criteria, a case manager (never having seen the client/patient), may determine that no further counseling will be covered under the client’s/patient’s plan. This can create a conflict when the counselor, and counselee, desire to continue the counseling process.

If a counselor is a provider for your MCO, they have a fiduciary responsibility (power entrusted for the benefit of another) to the MCO. There is an ethical, moral, and legal obligation to the client. Since the MCO (or insurance company) is paying the clinician, they will influence treatment and outcomes. Our responsibility is to the Lord and to you. We know this decision may place a financial burden on some who need counseling and that is why we have a benevolence process in place. We will provide you with all the necessary documentation should you decide to file your insurance, however many do not want these claims on their records. Your MCO can place diagnostic information on the National Medical Data Base that others may be able to access.

I hope this answers your questions. If not, feel free to ask your counselor. Our commitment is to you and not a third party, and this decision ensures your privacy.

Un-Hooked

Un-Hooked: A group for single men dealing with pornography.

Internet statistic tracking service comScore Media Metrix reports that more than 70 percent of men ages 18 to 34 visit a pornographic Web site every month. By the time they reach early adulthood, many young men are already hooked.

Here are some stages to consider:

• EARLY EXPOSURE at a young age where porn gets its foot in the door.
• ADDICTION develops and you’re hooked; you try everything you know to stop and can’t seem to quit.
• ESCALATION; spending hours hunting for more explicit pornography. Porn you previously found disgusting, now excites you.
• DESENSITIZATION – where you build up a tolerance to the images you see; you become numb to the ‘old stuff…the thrill is gone.” You become desperate to feel the same thrill again, but you can’t find it.
• ACTING OUT – moving from the paper and plastic images of porn into the real world, with real people, in destructive ways.

Single guys must deal with the questions and issues that are seldom discussed in church:

• Am I an addict?
• Am I alone in this?
• What are the consequences?
• “I’ll fix it when I get married.”
• How do I deal with guilt and shame?

For men hooked on pornography, this group offers a chance to tackle the norms from our culture that say pornography is OK. It will give men the opportunity to open up about topics that are not often faced in the church setting.

Un-hooked provides a safe environment for single men to share their pain, shame and struggles with others who understand and share similar Christian values. There is freedom from this devastating problem and our specialists can help.

Sexual Integrity Group

At no other time in the church has sexual sin been such a pervasive issue. These statistics by famous Christian pollster George Barna show how adults in our country struggle with sexual integrity:

• 59% have enjoyed sexual thoughts or fantasies about someone other than wife.
• 60 % of people are living with someone of the opposite sex before marriage. Also known as co-habitation.
• 42% of people have been engaged in a sexual relationship prior to marriage.
• 38% of people have viewed pornographic images.
• 30% of people are engaged in a sexual relationship with someone of the same gender.

Because the effects of pornography and sexual addiction are more prevalent in today’s church, pastors and church leaders need to address this critical issue with consistency. When addressing sexual addiction, it is essential to understand that there are many complex issues that contribute. We believe that our ability to walk in purity of heart and mind comes from God’s wisdom and the direction toward sexual freedom that He calls us to take in our lives.

The Sexual Integrity Group will focus on understanding the origins of this sensitive issue. Healing from a relationally destructive problem must take place within the context of healthy relationships. This group will provide a safe place for understanding, healing and freedom.

A few topics addressed in our sexual integrity group include:

• Why is my wife so angry at me? The impact of sexual addiction on marriage.
• Sexual addiction defined.
• I’ve been caught. What do I do now?
• Understanding the root causes of sexual addiction.
• The guilt and shame associated with sexual addiction.
• The sexual addiction cycle.
• The road to recovery and healing.
• The need for healthy relationships.

For men hooked on pornography, this group offers a chance to tackle the norms from our culture that say pornography is OK. It will give men the opportunity to open up about topics that are not often faced in the church setting.

Un-hooked provides a safe environment for single men to share their pain, shame and struggles with others who understand and share similar Christian values. There is freedom from this devastating problem and our specialists can help.