Skip to main content

Biblical Counseling Agreement/Hold Harmless Agreement

 

Thank you for your interest in Christ-centered biblical counseling. We look forward to working with you. The following information will serve as an agreement between you and the Owen Center, Inc.  Before reading this agreement, please read through our website (www.theowencenter.com) to understand what we mean by Christ-centered, biblical counseling.

 

  1. General Consent:
  • You understand that the Owen Center does not provide, nor claims, the responsibility of 24-hour emergency care. It is your responsibility to contact a physician, a local emergency room, 911 or the local authorities as applicable.
  • You understand that to maintain the biblical integrity of our Christ-centered counseling, Owen Center counselors are not licensed by the state of Alabama. Our practice does not keep medical records or progress notes.
  • You understand that you may ask my counselor to invite a counseling companion to join you for in-session prayer and encouragement.
  • You understand that each counseling session is video recorded (no sound) to ensure the safety and integrity of the counseling process. Video recordings are stored in a secure hard drive with no internet connection and viewed only for security concerns.
  • You understand that your counselor may ask my permission for one or more counselors/students to attend my counseling sessions as part of their training in biblical counseling. Observers will adhere to the same standards of care and confidentiality as your counselor.
  • You understand that your counselor may terminate the counseling relationship if you consistently fail to attend scheduled sessions, have excessive cancellations, have prolonged periods of lack of contact, wear inappropriate/revealing attire, or fail to complete multiple counseling assignments.
  • You understand that either you or your counselor may choose to discontinue counseling at any time.

 

  1. Confidentiality and Legal Concerns:

Confidentiality is critical to a successful counseling relationship. Our counselors strongly prefer not to disclose personal information, and they will make every effort to help you find ways to resolve problems as privately as possible. However, confidentiality is guaranteed only within the limits of biblical principles and civil law. For example:

  1. Your counselor might be required to divulge information to appropriate civil authorities
    1. If there is indication of child or spousal abuse; elder or dependent adult abuse; a serious risk of harm to yourself or another person;
    2. If a disclosure is required by a subpoena or other court order from a federal, state, or local agency or court.
    3. My counselor agrees not to voluntarily divulge information acquired during counseling or testify concerning your counseling in a legal proceeding.
  2. In counseling minor children, your counselor might, as appropriate, share information with parents or legal guardians for the child’s safety and/or progress.
  3. When a counselee has vowed submission to the government and discipline of a church (Matthew 18:15-20, Galatians 6:1) and stubbornly refuses to recognize or to repent of a particular sin, your counselor is required by scripture to seek the assistance of others in that church according to the Biblical pattern of restoration.

Agreement by Counselee(s):

  • I agree not to discuss our conversations with people who do not have a necessary interest in the counseling or conciliation process.
  • In situations that involve legal action, I agree to treat all dealings with your counselor as settlement negotiations, which are inadmissible in a court of law or for legal discovery. Furthermore, I agree not to compel my counselor to divulge information acquired during counseling or to testify concerning my counseling in a legal proceeding.
  • In the unlikely event of a conflict between me and my counselor, I agree to resolve the dispute in a biblical manner, through discussion, and, if necessary, through mediation and arbitration, according to the Rules of Procedure of the Institute for Christian Conciliation, available at Peacemaker Ministries’ website (www.peacemaker.net). For further information about confidentiality, see the Guidelines for Christian Conciliation at the same website.

 

III. Hold Harmless Agreement        PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

In consideration of the offer and provision of biblical counseling, I agree to release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue The Owen Center and/or its affiliates, its officers, servants, agents, and employees, including individual counselors, (hereinafter referred to as “releasees”) from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, and causes of action whatsoever arising out of or relating to any loss, damage or injury, that may be sustained by me, or to any property belonging to me, whether caused by the negligence of the releasees, or otherwise relating to my participation in biblical counseling with The Owen Center. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless the releasees, from any loss, liability, damage, or costs that may incur due to my participation in biblical counseling with The Owen Center, whether caused by the negligence of any or all of the releasees, or otherwise

By completing and signing the counseling profile, the counselee acknowledges and represents that:

  1. It is their express intent that this Release shall bind the members of their family and spouse, and their heirs, assigns, and personal representatives.
  2. They have read the foregoing Biblical Counseling Agreement and Hold Harmless Agreement and sign it voluntarily.
  3. They are at least eighteen (18) years of age and fully competent; and
  4. They execute this Biblical Counseling and Hold Harmless Agreement for adequate and complete consideration, fully intending to be bound by the same.