Agreement for Participation in Non-Professional Christian Counseling
I understand this Agreement is a legally binding document controlling the terms and conditions of my participation in Door of Hope’s support groups, trauma recovery counseling, or prayer ministry (hereafter referred to as Christian Counseling). I understand that Door of Hope’s counseling ministry is non-psychotherapeutic, non-licensed, non-professional Christian counseling based on the Christian Bible and offered by fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (“Christian Counseling”). My participation in Door of Hope’s programming is entirely voluntary, and I understand it is not a substitute for psychiatric, psychological or other professional therapeutic services. I accept complete responsibility for my own psychological, emotional and spiritual well-being, and I agree that I am solely responsible to ascertain my need for professional services and to obtain such services as needed. To the extent any Door of Hope staff, intern, or volunteer holds license or certificate in a professional field, including without limitation, psychology, psychiatry, counseling, medicine or law, I understand they are not acting in their professional capacity while participating in this Christian Counseling, and I will not attempt to hold them to any standards required by their licensure or certification. I understand that Door of Hope makes no guarantee that it will “fix” me or free me of unwanted symptoms, and I understand that all EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES ARE SPECIFICALLY DENIED.
Door of Hope values privacy and will endeavor to carefully guard my confidential information. I understand, however, that there are circumstances such as those listed below which may necessitate Door of Hope sharing my confidential information.
- To consult with colleagues and supervisors, who will also endeavor to keep my private information confidential, to collaborate on how to best serve me, or for supervision and training of Christian counselors;
- To endeavor to protect me from breaking the law, or harming myself or another person;
- To protect me from harm by another;
- To comply with a legal duty to report or other legal order, or;
- To seek legal or other professional advice.
- If you are currently seeing a therapist, we will need a signed release so that we may speak to him/her as needed.
For participants who are minors, Door of Hope will also report suspected abuse and neglect to the proper authorities. Door of Hope may also share confidential information with authorities and the minors’ parents or guardians if, during the minor’s participation in the Christian Counseling, the minor breaks the law, has sexual contact with another, or engages in any other activity that Door of Hope believes, in its sole discretion, is harmful to the minor’s well-being. Minors will participate in small groups and/or accountability groups which are exclusively for minors and will be closely supervised. All volunteers working with our clients are background checked.
To cover basic costs of its Christian Counseling program, Door of Hope charges a $100 fee for each approximately individualized prayer ministry/counseling session (approximately 90 min to 2 hours). Fees for group sessions are $95 per 9-week session.
In additional consideration for my, or my minor child’s participation in the Christian Counseling, I agree, on behalf of myself and my minor child if he or she is participating in the Christian Counseling, and my and my child’s heirs, executors, guardians and other legal representative, to release Door of Hope, including its officers, directors, employees, volunteers and other agents and those of any successor or affiliate of Door of Hope, from all liability for injuries, damages or losses arising out of my or my child’s participation in the Christian Counseling, and I agree to hold the same harmless from any claim of liability asserted against any of them by me or on my behalf, or by my minor child or on his or her behalf.*
By registering for this support group, I acknowledge that I have thoroughly read and understood this agreement, and unreservedly accept its terms. This Agreement will remain in effect as long as I or my minor child participates in the Christian Counseling, and the waiver and release of liability terms shall survive the termination of this Agreement.
DOOR OF HOPE POLICIES FOR VIRTUAL/ZOOM SUPPORT GROUPS
Door of Hope Ministries is committed to providing a safe and healthy environments for all our support groups and ministry appointments. To ensure that each ministry time and support groups feels safe for all participants, we have developed the following policies for Zoom Support Groups and prayer ministry appointments. Our goal is to protect your privacy and the privacy of other participants in Door of Hope support groups or ministry times via Zoom or other online options.
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When participating in a Zoom group, our desire is for everyone to have a great experience and make it as personal and interactive as possible.
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No one else, adults or children of any age, can be in the room or the area that you are in. It is very important that no one can hear what you are sharing and what others are sharing.
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Please stay attuned to the group and focus on the person who is teaching or sharing.
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When you are not speaking, it is usually a good idea to mute yourself, just in case there is background noise at your location.
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It also helps people to attune to you if they can see your face. Please make sure your device is adjusted so that people can see your face and that there is sufficient lighting.
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Please avoid multi-tasking during support group time, move from room to room, or do household chores, etc.
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Leaders will log in 10 minutes before start time. We encourage participants to try to log in 5-10 minutes early also to make sure your connection is working. This will help us to start on time with everyone present.
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Note: There is an option at the top of the screen to choose “speaker view” or “gallery view” if you are on a computer or tablet. Sometimes speaker view will make it easier for you to focus on the person talking. We encourage you to try both options and see what works best for you.
