Our Approach
It is important for those seeking professional counseling to be fully informed regarding the theoretical approach of the counselor. The relationship must be defined and all parties must agree on the counseling approach and expectations of the counseling relationship. This is called Informed Consent.
The approach we take at HeartLife Professional Soul-Care is distinctively Christian and unapologetically biblical. We prefer to use the term soul-care because we believe it is more consistent with a biblical – relational model of supporting and sustaining our brothers and sisters in Christ as they confront psychospiritual and relational problems.
As a Christian organization, we ascribe to a distinctly Christian model of persons and change. We are committed to support the local church in training, congregational inreach, and community outreach. HeartLife Professional Soul-Care is structured to operate with ecclesiastical accountability and theological integrity.
HeartLife utilizes the resources of the local church by recommending that our counselees regularly attend worship, Bible study, topic specific groups, and other discipleship or ministry functions. We are committed to the Body of Christ and the Glory of God.
In addition to our Christian commitment, we are steadfast in our ethical and legal obligations as professionals. We are invested in challenging other Christian professionals and organizations to join us in structuring their practice methodologies similarly.
For a more detailed explanation, click here.
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.
