Anytime you become aware of how you are hopelessly broken inside, you are ready to experience real hope. Biblical hope is the fertile soil in which joy grows. When you are aware of your neediness, you become capable of hearing Jesus's voice when He comes calling for you. When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”Mark 2:17 NLT Look! I stand at the … [Read more...]
COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
Our offices will remain open for in-person counseling unless the State of Ohio rules that businesses of even a few people gathering together are a threat to public safety. Given everyone's level of stress and anxiety, counseling is needed more than ever. Our standard policy (in existence before the virus) is if you are sick you can cancel your appointment at any time and you won't be charged. During elevated levels of health risk, we won't be greeting anyone by shaking hands and will remain … [Read more...]
Why New Reflections Counseling?
Are you unsure if New Reflections Counseling (NRC) is a good fit for you? Do you want to know how counseling works? Would you like to know what we mean by faith-based Christian counseling? New Reflections Counseling exists to lovingly help people understand and be changed by God’s truth. The best way to answer your questions (without giving us a call or searching this website) is to take our email orientation course. We'll teach you more about NRC and help you determine if counseling is … [Read more...]
Can I Attend Marriage Counseling (by myself)?
Will I benefit from relationship counseling if my spouse isn't interested in attending? I receive this question quite often. The short answer is, "Yes, of course you will." Marriage is a system of three people (husband, wife, and God). If any one of the three change something for the better, then the overall marriage will improve. We know God can't get any better, so that leaves husband and/or wife. If both of you are believers in counseling, then of course this is better. But don't … [Read more...]
How Often Should I Attend Counseling?
Most of my clients ask this question immediately after the first session. Unless a client is in crisis, there is no right or wrong answer. Frequent sessions are necessary to prevent clients from harming themselves or others. If a client is suicidal, I meet with them as often as needed to keep them safe—usually at least 2x/week. But what if you are not in crisis? How often then? I prefer to meet 1x/week or every other week. The answer becomes increasingly specific to you, so I cannot answer … [Read more...]
How do clients pay for professional counseling? Do you accept insurance?
NRC is self-pay and offers a sliding scale fee in place of directly accepting insurance. As a courtesy, NRC is willing to provide you a receipt so you can submit it to your insurance company and be reimbursed. If you are relying on insurance to pay for counseling, we recommend you call your insurance company to learn how much your benefits will pay towards NRC's services. Benefits of Self-Pay Clients who pay directly for their counseling needs gain the following benefits: You gain … [Read more...]
What will happen after the first session?
Completing the initial diagnostic assessment can take one to three sessions depending on how many people are involved and the complexity of the situation presented. After the assessment is completed your counselor should have a clear picture of where you are at and what you want to achieve. In some cases you may want to develop a formal treatment plan that describes how you are going to get where you want to be. Most of the time this is handled from session to session as you give feedback to … [Read more...]
What can I expect on my first session?
Before your first session, expect to arrive about 30 minutes early to complete initial paperwork. The self-report questions provide your counselor with a context for the reason(s) that are bringing you to counseling. One of the primary goals of the first session is to orient you to the counseling process. You can take as much time as needed to make sure you understand the counseling process. Starting with your first session, your counselor will go through with you a fairly structured interview. … [Read more...]
How does counseling work?
Ideally, as a client you will bring issues, thoughts, desires, and emotions out to the open over time. Exactly how this happens varies because everyone is unique and appreciates a different path to greater wholeness. When you are stuck or do not know what to do next, the counselor is there to provide encouragement, insight, feedback, and direction. Sometimes the simple process of sharing is therapeutic for clients. Other clients appreciate more direct feedback and suggestions. Still other … [Read more...]
What are the benefits of professional counseling over other kinds of help?
Counseling is designed to focus exclusively on the client’s concerns and needs. This allows the client to enter into an objective, supportive relationship that is ideally free of the emotional biases typically present in the client’s familiar relationships (with family and friends). For example, a client’s parents might not support the client setting healthy limits because it might mean they will not get to see their grandchildren as often. But, a counselor can give the client appropriate and … [Read more...]