Yes! I would be happy to have a 15-20 minute phone consultation with you so we can decide if I am the right counselor for you. Choosing a counselor is a very personal choice, and it is vital to the success of your therapy that you feel comfortable with whomever you see. This phone consultation will give you a chance to talk about your needs, ask questions, and get a sense of what it would be like to work together. If we decide to move forward, we can schedule our first session. If we determine that there may be a better fit for your needs, I can help refer you to another therapist.  

The first time we meet – the intake session – is typically 1 ½ hours. This additional time allows for you to fill out the necessary contact information form and to ask any questions you may have. We will then discuss any pertinent history you would like to share, as well as details regarding your present situation, and we will discuss the specific goals you may want to achieve through counseling or life coaching.

Each subsequent session is a full one-hour session. I have found this time allotment is preferred by clients over the typical 50-minute session, as the additional time allows them to feel more relaxed as they share their story and talk through their present challenges.

I work with a great deal of depth, energy and passion with my clients, while utilizing my training, intellect, heart, and personal experience. I invest time in clients between sessions to carefully plan the next steps and partner with you to bring them to life. I pray daily for each client’s situation and specific needs. This quality of careful, focused attention can be intense and consuming to truly help clients experience the kind of transformation and lasting growth they seek. I limit the number of clients I see so that I can be at my best for each and every client.

Each client’s experiences, life perspectives and story are unique, so each client’s counseling is personalized to focus on their unique situation and challenges.

Biblical counseling is simply counseling through a Christian perspective rather than a secular perspective. I believe the Bible was given to us by God as a guide for building and sustaining an intimate and personal relationship with Him, and to provide us with answers to life’s most difficult questions. Scriptures guide us through challenging situations and remind us how much we are loved. Biblical counseling provides insights and direction based on a Christian worldview.

We are all in need of God’s grace and mercy, so biblical counseling should never be preachy or judgmental, but should instead be loving Christian care that is honoring to Christ. I understand and respect that faith is very personal for each of us, and therefore will always show the utmost respect for you wherever you are in your faith.

This varies widely depending on each individual’s situation, history, motivation and personality. Sometimes a concern can be resolved in one consultation, while other times it takes considerably more. Sessions are typically scheduled weekly, or every other week, and include you and I working together to address what brought you in, and/or other concerns that may surface along the way. I do not adhere to session limits but will work with you in deciding the frequency to meet and in determining when your counseling goals are met. We will work together to assure these goals are being met in a way that is best for you and we will discontinue counseling when you are comfortable doing so.

Gracepoint Counseling, LLC is built on a foundation of strict confidentiality and follows the mandates imposed by the State of Minnesota. I will not disclose whether you are in counseling or make any disclosures about your counseling without your consent.

In certain instances, and only with your permission, it may be clinically appropriate for me to speak with your former or future providers, primary care physician, or another person you specify regarding your care and counseling. In these instances, I will not do so without your signed Release of Information.

There are four circumstances that would require me to breach confidentiality:

1) Your request (by means of a signed Release of Information) that I reveal information to specific individuals or agencies of your choice.

2) In instances where there is imminent danger of serious harm to yourself or others.

3)  In cases involving physical and/or sexual abuse of children or endangered adults.

4) Where otherwise requested by subpoena or mandated by court order or state/federal law.

Please note: In order to help protect your identity and preserve confidentiality, if I see you in public, I will not acknowledge you or initiate contact. You may, however, approach me and initiate conversation if you would like. This gives you control over any public interaction, thus protecting your identity and confidentiality.

Counseling can help in a wide variety of situations. Sometimes all an individual might need is a safe person to talk to in a safe place. Some people don’t understand the reasons behind those things they say and do. Others continually make wrong choices in spite of having the best of intentions. Still others are just dealing with difficulties we all face in life; relationship issues, illness, grief, loss, marital problems, self-esteem issues, or spiritual problems to name a few. 

Through counseling I can help draw out the reasons you respond as you do, and help you find new options and choices that can be sustained over time. I can help process the situations, feelings, thoughts, and goals associated with a decision to bring clarity, develop new ways of thinking, and growth.  

These questions may help you clarify your need for counseling: Is there a persistent problem, circumstance, emotion, or way of feeling that has been bothering you for a while? Is there something you want to change in you or your life? Do you feel stuck, lost or alone? Do you have problems in your life but no one to talk to about them? Do you need support and encouragement? Does an issue feel too big to tackle by yourself? Are you tired of feeling the way you are feeling? If the answer is yes to one or more of these, it may be time to seek counseling.

This is an appropriate question. Not everyone needs counseling for every situation. Many people can and do achieve their goals for change without any outside intervention. Others have tried dealing with situations on their own but continue to make bad choices and to experience pain. If you continue to use the same strategies in life and relationships and these are not working for you, counseling might be helpful.  

Sometimes life circumstances are just hard, and if you are having trouble dealing with your painful situation on your own, it may help to have someone to talk to and help you process what you are going through. You don’t have to go through it alone. We’re here to help.

The most important part of the counseling process is for you to be actively engaged to your fullest potential. Counseling takes work – on your part and on the part of your counselor. If you don’t put consistent and honest effort into your counseling, it won’t be nearly as effective.  The very things you are trying to change may have been present in your life for a long time. For sustainable change and growth to truly happen, your commitment to do the work outside of sessions is vital to your success.

The initial phone consultation is free.

Your initial appointment (the intake session) is an hour and a half in length and is $125.  

My standard rate is $85 per one-hour session.  

If you are a member or regular attender of a church and cannot afford to pay for counseling, check with your Pastor to see if your church is able to help financially with your counseling fees. Most churches have funds available to help their attendees pay for counseling.

I also offer a sliding scale for those who are in financial need.  

Gracepoint Counseling is private pay only, and we cannot take insurance.

I am unable to give you a formal mental health diagnosis or medication. If you have a known mental health diagnosis, please call me for a phone consultation before making your first appointment so I can discern the best level of care for you. If necessary, I will be happy to refer you to a qualified mental health professional for evaluation and diagnosis. If medication is needed, please see your primary care physician or psychiatrist. If you prefer a Christian psychiatrist, I will be happy to refer you.

Please contact me. You will find my contact information, office hours and location listed at the bottom of my website. If you already know you want to get started, let’s schedule your first session. You may set up your appointment by contacting me directly, or by utilizing my electronic calendar on this website. Simply select the date and time you prefer, schedule your appointment, and it will immediately be reserved for you on my personal calendar.

If you’d like a free 15-20 minute phone consultation before scheduling, please contact me. This will give us a chance to talk, ask questions, and get a sense of what it would be like to work together.  I look forward to talking with you.