Counseling Agreement for Joel and Krista McCutcheon

About Biblical Counseling

The biblical counselor is committed to the position that Scripture provides the only authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live.

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 whenever possible.

Your counselor will use all of his skill in applying biblical principles to help you in whatever problem deprives you of the peace and joy that God has promised to you in His Word. Your counselor will concentrate on three basic foundations from God's Word:

Hope — (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 4:14-16)

Change — (Eph. 4:20-24; Col. 1:10)

Practice — (James 1:22-25)

If you are unable to come to any of the counseling sessions, please notify us at least 24 hours before the session.

Please bring a notebook and your Bible to each session.

Consent to Biblical Counseling

Biblical Basis — The counselors of this ministry are neither licensed as psychotherapists or mental health professionals. It should be understood that biblical counseling consists of walking with each individual by the giving of scriptural counsel, encouragement, and the practical application of the Bible. Yet, the counselee is held fully responsible for how he implements that counsel.

We are confident that the Bible has all of the information necessary for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). There are no problems between people that the Bible fails to address either in general or specific principles. As counselors, we are not infallible, nor do we pretend to know all there is to know about biblical teaching and its applications to life, but we are well equipped and competent to help people change and find hope. We will make a point to differentiate between God's commands and our suggestions.

Professional Advice — In the process of biblical counseling there are often times when there is a need for significant advice with regards to legal, medical, financial or other technical areas. In those cases you will be encouraged by your counselor to seek independent professional advice. We are happy to cooperate with such advisors and help you to consider their advice in the light of relevant scriptural principles.

Confidentiality — Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process and we will carefully guard the information you entrust to us. However, absolute confidentiality is not biblical; in certain circumstances the Bible requires that facts be disclosed to selected others (Matt. 18:15ff). To provide the best care possible, we may, on occasion, consult with each other as members of the team, or discuss certain aspects of specific situations with other professionals (e.g., medical doctor, dietician, etc.; Prov. 15:22). In rare cases, the counselee's well-being (or that of his/her family) may be so adversely affected that communication with his local church, and/or sending agency, and/or law enforcement becomes necessary. In such cases, the counselee will be encouraged to communicate directly with the appropriate party. Please be assured that our counselors strongly prefer not to disclose personal information to others, and they will make every effort to help you find ways to resolve a problem as privately as possible. In case of refusal, it may become necessary for the counselors to interact with one or all of these parties.

Resolution of Conflicts — On rare occasions a conflict may develop between a counselor and a counselee. In order to make sure that any such conflicts will be resolved in a biblically faithful manner, we require all of our counselees to agree that any dispute that arises with a counselor as a result of counseling, will be settled by mediation and, if necessary, legally binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Institute for Christian Conciliation; judgment upon arbitration award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. (We will be happy to provide you with resources that explain the Christian conciliation process and describe its benefits and procedures.)

Termination of Counseling — It is our desire that the counseling arrangement will conclude with a resumption of healthy participation into your local church and life contexts. However, at any time during the counseling process, the counselor or counselee has the option to terminate the counseling arrangement.

As missionaries, we raise our support from individual donors to make it possible to offer counseling services. If you would like to contribute to the counseling ministry, you may give directly to your counselor or send a U.S. tax-deductible donation to:


Shepherds Staff Mission Facilitators
6739 Academy Road NE, Suite 320
Albuquerque, NM 87109

Please indicate that it is for the ministry of Joel and Krista McCutcheon, Account #4211.

Or you can donate online:
https://ssmfi.org/missionary/joel-and-krista-mccutcheon

I, ______________________, have carefully read the conditions for counseling set forth in this document and agree to enter into counseling in accordance with them.

Signature: _______________________   Date: _____________________

I am filling out this PDI form on behalf of the counselee:

My name: ___________________________ Relationship: _______________________