PLEASE READ CAREFULLY   

  Required Waiver and Release of Liability must be read and acknowledged at time of initial Crisis Hotline Correspondence.

     You as the user agree that using any or every part of this service is entirely at your own risk. Pastoral Counseling Services are provided "as is", without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including without limitation any warranty for information services, counseling, uninterrupted access, or products and services provided through or in connection with the service. This service is requested at the user’s own choice and with inherent singular responsibility.

      The user agrees that the use of all, or part, of the service is entirely at the user’s own risk. Any actions or lack of actions, taken by the recipient of such advice is done so solely by choice and responsibility of the recipient and is neither the responsibility nor liability of the Pastor. 

            This service is not meant to be a substitute for counseling or treatment for suicidal ideation, or severe psychiatric problems. This service is an excellent way to gather individualized information by which decisions can be made. When asking for Biblical based counseling assistance, advice, or coaching on a personal problem, it’s important the user understand the limitations of discussions when using this service. Because of the nature of this type of counseling, the user may not provide all information to us. This prevents us from providing the user with maximum effectiveness.

No assumption of responsibility is made, or given, and the party requesting such advice agrees not to hold the pastor responsible or liable in any form or fashion, for such actions taken of their own accord. The method and process by which this advice and direction are given in no way would constitute an agreement or liability on the part of the provider and is acknowledged to be different in many ways than a one-on-one clinical or psychological counseling process.  

Confidentiality

We are very sensitive to the issue of confidentiality. Confidentiality is crucial to an effective and trusting counseling relationship. The Bible repeatedly warns against gossip and indicates that trustworthy persons keep a confidence. To release counseling information without your consent would violate both commonly accepted codes of counseling ethics and biblical standards.

There are three situations, however, where it may be necessary for us to share certain information with others.

By signing this agreement you authorize the counselor to share information with others in the following circumstances:

1. When there is clear indication that someone may be harmed.

 Adult and Domestic Abuse: If we have reasonable cause to believe that an adult is in need of protective services (regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment), we may report such to the local agency which provides protective services

2. Serious threat to Health or Safety: If you express a serious threat, or intent to kill or seriously injure an identified or readily identifiable person or group of people, and we determine that you are likely to carry out the threat. We must take reasonable measures to prevent harm. Reasonable measures may include directly advising the potential victim of the threat or intent.

3. When a child is being sexually or physically victimized

Child Abuse: If we have reasonable cause, on the basis of my professional judgment, to suspect abuse of children with whom I come into contact in my professional capacity, we are required by law to report this to the DHS.

I understand and agree with the following statements:

1.                Pastor Teddy Awad, counselor, is neither psychological nor a medical professionals. It is a policy for us to not charge for the counseling time and after-hour crisis calls. Many at times we have received donations from clients for the Ministry work to help others that are less fortunate.  This Counseling Ministry is strictly a voluntary counseling ministry only. Please think of those who are less fortunate and are not covered by insurance who take advantage of our services. The greatest gift you could give us is your prayers and support. 

2.                The stated Confidentiality agreement will be maintained that has been submitted to you in writing. Biblical Ethic’s will be practiced and honored.    

3.                Your initial counseling session will be for evaluation purposes giving opportunity for you and for the counselor(s) to evaluate whether or not continued counseling will be the best course of action to meet your needs and achieve the goals of spiritual growth and healing.

4.                Counseling offered by Pastor Teddy Awad is based upon biblical perspectives derived from the Holy Bible and how to apply the Word of God to your daily life in a practical, as well as spiritual, manner. The goal of all the counseling will be to create new paths of rational thinking.

5.                The goal of this counseling ministry is not to create a dependency upon Christian counseling, but to help you grow spiritually and become free through the power of the Blood of Jesus Christ and to have life more abundantly according John 10:10.