Christian pastoral counseling ministers to the whole person: spirit, soul, and body. This type of counseling uses ethical counseling techniques in combination with biblical principles, and these counselors believe the Bible is the final standard of authority.

They also carry the belief that God is the one who ultimately brings about healing in lives and that a relationship with Jesus is the key to restoration.

Christian pastoral counselors are considered clergy and ministers first and counselors second. A Christian pastoral counselor is in the “ministry of counseling.”

Christian pastoral counselors have a national license from the National Christian Counselors Association (N.C.C.A.) and provide “biblical” counseling whereas licensed professional counselors are licensed by the state.

Most licensed professional counselors provide commercial and secular counseling.

Formally founded in 1983 by Dr. Richard Arno, the N.C.C.A. has three primary goals or purposes:

• To develop a biblically based counseling model or technique that is relatively easy to learn and one that really works!
• To develop a scientifically sound but biblically based profiling system or method that would identify a person’s very natural (inborn) temperament rather than his or her learned behavior (mask).
• To provide a national licensing program for people who are called by God into the ministry of counseling.

Temperament Therapy uses biblically based counseling principles in combination with a profile system that identifies a person’s very natural (inborn) temperament rather than his or her learned behavior (mask). Temperament Therapy was first developed and studied in the early 1980s.

The A.P.S. is a scientifically based temperament assessment that identifies a person’s natural processes and responses related to developing and maintaining social relationships, control within relationships, and deep emotional relationships.

The first research for Temperament Therapy and A.P.S. involved 250 N.C.C.A.-trained counselors and therapists and 7,403 individuals who were counseled using this particular model.

The research provided the following conclusions:

• Out of the 7,403 people tested by 250 licensed therapists, the A.P.S. results were 95.4% accurate.
• Out of the 7,403 persons who were counseled with Temperament Therapy, 250 therapists reported a 95.7% success rate.

Temperament Therapy is only one of the counseling methods our counselors use. Traditional talk therapies blended with various prayer ministry and inner or emotional healing methods are utilized.

Head to Heart counselors rely on the Holy Spirit in conjunction with their clinical education and experience to determine and tailor the best therapy methods to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of the individual.

The standard fee for counseling services is $85.00 per 50-minute session. The cost for similar counseling services in the Central Texas area averages $140.00 to $175.00 per session.

Sliding scale and benevolence assistance is available based on need. Head to Heart Restoration Ministry does not turn anyone away based on finances, but counselor availability and the number of sessions provided may be limited.

Payment for counseling services is not tax deductible.

Donations above the counseling fee of $85.00 per session or undesignated donations are tax deductible. Individuals will be provided with the appropriate tax-deductible receipt.

As a nonprofit ministry, Head to Heart Restoration Ministry depends on the financial gifts of others to cover counseling services for those unable to pay as well as ministry operating expenses.

Most insurance companies do not cover Christian pastoral counseling. It is up to the counselee to contact their insurance company regarding payment for services.

The fees for counseling with Head to Heart Restoration Ministry are often comparable to those of many required insurance copayments. Head to Heart Restoration Ministry will provide receipts upon request.

The number of sessions depends on the specific problems being discussed, the regularity of the sessions, and the amount of work that the counselee puts into the therapy.

Each counselor maintains his or her own schedule and offers daytime and evening appointments. Counseling is provided in our home-like office in Round Rock, Texas, or virtually for individuals who do not live in the area or would prefer the online option.

Head to Heart Restoration Ministry provides counseling services for couples, individual adults, families, teens, and children. In addition, our staff is available for groups, retreats, conferences, and special guest presentations.

Counselees are often asked to complete activities and reading assignments to complement the counseling process.

While counselees are not required to be Christian to receive help through Head to Heart Restoration Ministry, they need to be fully aware that the counseling techniques used are Christian based.

Head to Heart Restoration Ministry is a nondenominational counseling ministry. Counselees do not need to attend a certain church or denomination to receive counseling.

Not every counselor is able to help every person. When necessary, Head to Heart Restoration Ministry will provide information regarding other counselors in the area. Head to Heart Restoration Ministry may also recommend that counselees see their physician, attorney, or other professionals depending on their unique situation or circumstance.

To the greatest extent possible, counseling sessions are confidential. Exceptions to when confidentiality is not guaranteed include reports or suspected reports of abuse of children, the elderly, or people with disabilities; reports of suicidal or homicidal threats or gestures; and court-ordered subpoenas.

Arno, R. Basic Christian Counseling. Sarasota, FL: National Christian Counselors Association.

Dennie, R. Arno Profile System Research Report. Sarasota, FL: National Christian Counselors Association.