Confidentiality is an important aspect of the counseling process. We carefully guard the information you entrust to us to the fullest extent possible. As a church-based counseling ministry, we do not offer absolute confidentiality. There are times when it may be necessary for us to share specific information with others. Examples include but are not limited to:

--matters of church discipline (cf. Matthew 18:15 ff.) 

--divorce and separation which may include notifying the pastor of counselee's attending church

--criminal activities

--potential harm to self or others

Additionally, when a counselor is uncertain how to address a particular situation, the counselor may consult with another member of the Christian Life Fellowship Biblical Lay Counseling and Discipleship Ministry team for the purpose of providing the highest level of care within the ministries of the church. To best care for you, we will work together as a ministry team while keeping the circle of confidentiality as tight as possible.

There are times when counseling information may be shared outside the church context. Those exceptions would include, but are not limited to the following;

--known or suspected abuse of any kind

--the intent to take criminal actions or violence against another person

--credible suicidal thoughts or intentions

Throughout the course of your counseling, if you are suicidal, it is crucial that you talk with your counselor about these matters. You agree to share any suicidal thoughts or intentions with your counselor at any time they arise, and by phone if they occur in between sessions, and that you will seek medical care if you become suicidal during the course of your counseling.

In the case of marriage or family counseling, there is limited confidentiality, meaning the confidentiality belongs to the couple and not the individual.

Confidentiality for counseling at Christian Life Fellowship is defined by pastor-parishioner privilege because we are a local church and our counselors operate as agents of the church (pastors/ministers), not agents of the state (licensed counselors). This means counseling conversations are inadmissible in the court of law. All counseling forms and notes taken by the counselor are the property of Christian Life Fellowship Biblical Lay Counseling and Discipleship Ministry. They are protected as confidential and may not be used in court proceedings or in any other way that is not authorized by the Christian Life Fellowship Biblical Lay Counseling and Discipleship Ministry team.

If your counseling needs require professional representations in a court setting by a counselor, Christian Life Fellowship Biblical Lay Counseling and Discipleship Ministry will likely not be the best fit for your needs.