Cognitive Biblical
Therapy Coursework
Counseling Through God’s
Transformative Word
Course 6 Chapter 11
Chapter 11 Counselor - Church Contracts
a. Church - Counselor Agreement Review
b. Agreement Renewal and Annual Report
c. State Licensure
Essay Questions: Answering the section questions (red buttons) is a great way to prepare for the end of the Chapter Quiz. Chapter 11 questions will help you review the text material and apply to your present or future counseling setting. The section questions will provide Dr. Wilkinson’s feedback to your answers.
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Chapter 11
Counselor-Church Contracts
Counselor-Church Agreement Review
Before we step right into the actual counselor-church agreement or contract, let’s back up to consider another form (see Letter to Church Office Proposal) that I have included as a sample was sent out by one of my former students in seeking opportunities to open a counseling office. It is a letter to pastors about his need to find an office to begin his practice. It gives his background, connection to a licensed Biblical counselor, and his desire to establish a Biblically based professional counseling ministry within this area. This particular letter comes from a person who wanted to take over my practice in Illinois. This ministry was first established in Champaign, Illinois about eight years ago under the direction of Daniel Wilkinson. I'm currently finishing a master's degree in counseling at and I'm also studying biblical counseling under direction of Dr Wilkinson. The ministry that I established will initially be an extension of his ministry in St Louis, Missouri. This won’t be applicable to others, but go to the next ones. These paragraphs describe the general idea of a church supported counseling practice with an invitation to speak further about the idea and how it is possible. You can include that your supervisor will be involved in this discussion, if that is appropriate. You're obviously going to leave out the specific needs at this point. But you should mention general things that you need support, such as an office space and no cost for utilities.
So, let’s review, after you send the letters out to churches, you receive a response from a church which leads to writing a proposal (that we have discussed) for them to think and pray about. You have this initial conversation, you've given them a detailed proposal, and now leads you to the bottom line, which is your first contract. I have included a sample contract agreement (see Blank Church Contract in the Course 6 Required Written Documents) for use of church building between the counselor and the church. This is as good a contract as any, yet it is more of a formal description of the counselor-church relationship, less about the practical items needed from the church. If you're going to use this type, there's another sample which deals with students that I supervise who are in churches. This additional contract (see Contract Biblical Counseling Services [student]) is between the student and the church, that includes me as the supervisor that will be discussed in the next section.
Like in the previous section or chapter, you will need to include an addendum to the contract that outlines the specifics from what you and the leaders agreed upon from your proposal. Such as adding an addendum to the Proposed Counselor Church Agreement. On a separate document, write out the specifics you all agreed upon to attach to the agreement, what you, the counselor will provide to the church. Will you provide workshops, seminars, class studies or consultation as giving back to the church. Typically, I propose one workshop or seminar at no cost to the church each year, where the church selects the topic if they want. If not, the counselor can, but the purposes are: 1) build a relationship to the church community so that they have a sense of ownership, and you are their counselor, 2) you endear yourself as the professional, who helps, cares about them, and makes it safe for them to share their problems, 3) you will generate referrals, usually not many, but some will come because of the workshop. Your involvement with the church is up to you, though remember, you are investing in church relationships. Also, given the fact that you're not going to pay rent or utilities, it's a way of paying them back for their support, kindness, trust in you to help them, and being a part of them.
Another contribution could be the counselor will be supportive of any needs for consultation or referral of clients for counseling by the church. That doesn't mean that you give them preference or provide them with free counseling, but you could work with a pastor as needed in order to support the pastor’s work, co-counsel or take referrals. For example, the senior pastor snags you and says, “Hey, I got this couple that came to me, here's what I'm doing. What do you think about it? You have any suggestions?” Your consultation here with the pastor is free, but it builds support for you.
Pastors usually are the first point of contact for people in trouble, and they will run interference for you, and refer clients to you. They approve of your counseling, and that says that you are capable. The student will not alter their schedule to suit the pastor’s needs, but work with them or take referrals. The pastor and leaders will be so glad they have someone to carry this burden for them. They can pass people on when they are not able to help them. If they have a question, they can get professional advice. They really enjoy it quite a bit.
As you review your agreed proposed items with the church leadership, be sure there is a clear description of what is needed now in the contract. Such as reviewing your state’s licensure laws in receiving client fees. As previously discussed, some state licensure laws require a person to be licensed in order to collect fees directly. The idea of being licensed is valid in that you are more broadly equipped to understand psychology, psychiatry, medical illness, medical reasons behind difficulties. I suggest learning the laws of your state for collecting fees and about exemptions for people who want to work as a Biblical counselor in a religious organization and be sure that you conform to their regulations. I made sure that I knew my limits and would refer clients if they needed help beyond what I was qualified to provide.
Another item to review and provide clarity to your host church is the coverage of liability insurance for the counselor and church, as identified in the contract. It is important in the contract to identify the counselor’s need to have an established business name (fictitious, assumed or Doing Business As) registered through the state or county clerk’s office. The counselor will establish a relationship with his/her local bank for a business account, assigned to the business name registration.
Then, terms of the contract are generally through a mutual agreement for a period of one year and at the renewal time, the commitment will be revised by both parties. If either party is required to terminate the arrangement prior to that time, a 30 day or 60-day notice (number of days can vary) will be given.
Fully answer the following question from the content you just read and submit your answer to find your score and Dr. Dan's answer to the question.
What are potential topics identified in an addendum attached to a Counselor-Church Agreement or contract?
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Dr. Dan's Answer:
The topics are what has been agreed upon in discussions with the church leadership. These items may include office remodeling, waiting area setup, curtains, bookshelves, desk, chairs, WiFi, telephone line, access to the building when needed, and other similar concerns.
Agreement Renewal and Annual Report
In recent years, I renewed my contract with the church who hosts my counseling practice. We made a few changes to it because I had paid back the loan, I was state licensed, and formed a corporation, so that the counseling fees no longer needed to be turned over to the church. The rest of the contract remained the same.
Hopefully, this review will help you see what a good contract looks like. Once you form your contract, and begin counseling, you will need to keep records to show the church the results of their investment in you and your counseling practice. They want to know your statistics; how many counseling sessions you had. How many people accepted the Lord as their Savior. How many divorces were averted. How many suicides were averted. How many children were kept in the home, or stayed with both parents because divorce was averted. They are looking for the results of your using the facility. Another one is the number of clients you saw that year, and from what churches they attend.
In your report write a summary of what's happened, and thank them for their support and even share an anonymous story of who got help. You thank them, explain what your proposal is for the year. If you are in a meeting be sure to open it up for questions. Usually, they are so wowed by the fact that all that ministry went on that they're sort of stunned, and they're very glad to have you come back.
If there are some misunderstandings or questions, now is the time to address them. Maybe a client complained or doesn’t think you are Biblical, you can clarify your side of the situation. Nothing is absolutely the same forever and ever. So, you need the awareness of that potential option of moving on to another place. It may just be that you need a bigger office, or more counselors want to join you to form a clinic, or you're moving out of state.
In your own words, answer the following question and submit to record your response. This question is for your personal reflection -- no score is given.
Describe any concerns, even worries, about setting up a counselor-church agreement, including the renewing of the agreement each year.
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State Licensure
All states have requirements for professional counselors. I am most familiar with my state which is called Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). Most states have some kind of a religious exemption to their counseling laws. If you check that out and you feel it is too limited, you will need to learn the requirements and process for becoming licensed. States, at this time, do not have reciprocal agreements with other states to accept the licensed professional from another state. This can be problematic for moving to different states, or using virtual or tele counseling across state lines.
Consider your license options on a state or national level, including smaller religious based licenses, even if you are counseling under a religious exemption. Practicing with a license or certification from an organization that is outside of the state’s legal requirements can also be an option. Organizational licenses are available through religious entities such as:
1. Federal Association of Christian Counselors and Therapists at (FACCT93)
2. Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
These are legitimate organizations, with standards of practices, training programs and licensure requirements. Some insurances will reimburse for professional services provided by approved counselors.
Make an effort to learn about licensure in your state and pray about the plan God has for you. In consideration of serving your clients from a licensed capacity show professionalism, integrity, credible knowledge base and government accountability. Being licensed is the best way to go, because you will be more accepted by other medical and mental health professionals. The education at the graduate level will bring you more knowledge on helping people and more credibility, because the requirements involving graduate work will help you work better with other professionals such as doctors, lawyers, the courts, psychologists, psychiatrists, school assessors, and the Division of Family Services. If children are abused, the courts will require counseling. If you are the counselor they want to use, then you would have the right to counsel the family if you are licensed.
In some situations, being affiliated with the Christian principles will cause doubts upon your credibility. State licensure removes that bias for the most part. States with licensure will want to have counselors who have been educated at an accredited college or university. Be sure you know that when you look for educational institutions. If the educational institution is not accredited by the certain accepted accrediting agency, your courses mean nothing to the licensure board. Each state has requirements that must be met for courses, internships, and practicum hours. Once you meet the eight areas of counseling coursework, and they're accredited, the next step is a practicum. Requirements change frequently, so you don’t want to work toward a goal that will change over time. Most programs will not change requirements on you as long as you are consistently enrolled in their program. Keep in mind, the practicum is usually part of your academic coursework, but it's actually working in a counseling center, usually the one at the university or community clinic that usually lasts three months.
Once you have completed your academic course work and begin to counsel, you will be supervised for two years by a licensed, and approved supervisor, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Clinical Psychologist, or someone who is an adequate mental health care professional.
Generally, the state is open to who supervises you, as long as the professional is licensed as a professional counselor or psychologist. Only thing, you become basically, a sort of the bond servant of that person for those two years, because that person holds complete and total clinical supervision over you. And they also have a right to a percentage of your income. There's no state control, no fixed percentage, no guidance, and no supervision to speak of over what happens to you during those two years. I have seen supervisors ask for 25% - 50% of the residents’ income for the privilege of being supervised.
For some states, after your supervision, the next step is to pass the state licensure exam, which gives you the stamp of approval so that you can be a Licensed Professional Counselor. Other states allow or expect the supervised counselor to pass the state or national exam, giving them a provisional license or associate level. The exam is usually given three or four times each year, with a 70% is a minimum passing score. The latest test requirement in Missouri is the national exam called National Counselor Examination (NCE) which costs at this time $275.00. For students still in graduate school, they can take the NCE and become NCC Certified for between $325-75. Every state will have their requirements and process available on the state website. Such as additional tests for state license like a Jurisprudence Exam. The cost of biannual renewal in Missouri is $50 and other states are $100. Expect continued education hours (CEUs) to be acquired before license renewal, like 40 hours (split CEUs & self-study) in the two-year period. Most states expect several CEUs in ethics and suicide prevention.
Copyright 1987, 1990, 1993 by Daniel D. Wilkinson. All rights reserved. For more information concerning this material, write to:
The Biblical Christian Counseling Ministries, Inc., 2730 Radcliffe Dr., Florissant, MO 63031.
Any reproduction of this material without the express written consent of the author is prohibited. Printed in the U.S.A..
Fully answer the following question from the content you just read and submit your answer to find your score and Dr. Dan's answer to the question.
If your state has a licensure law, there will be some form of an exemption for "Christian counseling." Discuss this exemption and what your thoughts are about functioning under this portion of the licensure law.
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Dr. Dan's Answer:
The exemption is usually for what is called "religious counseling." This involves a church staff person -- usually a pastor -- who provides counseling at no cost for a limited number of sessions, typically two or three. This is often defined this way because religious counseling is seen to deal only with religious issues, not daily practical issues such as sexual abuse or eating disorders.
In most cases, providing more than a limited number of sessions is inappropriate because the client's needs may not be properly met. If the staff counselor has a professional referral source or is in training, some additional steps can be taken to address the need for training, income, and ethical and licensure issues.
Fully answer the following question from the content you just read and submit your answer to find your score and Dr. Dan's answer to the question.
The whole issue of licensure as a counselor is a difficult one for many people but is one that you will be forced to face and to make a personal decision about. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of seeking licensure as a professional counselor.
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Dr. Dan's Answer:
The key issues in licensure are credibility and providing the client with professional, competent counseling so that the counseling experience brings about healing and health. The counselor will do a better job of counseling if he or she can interface with psychologists, psychiatrists, medical doctors, lawyers, certified public accountants, and other professionals -- whether through a referral or by being referred to the other professional.
Fully answer the following question from the content you just read and submit your answer to find your score and Dr. Dan's answer to the question.
List the requirements that exist within your state in regard to becoming a licensed professional counselor. Also, discuss your perceptions of these requirements as to their impact upon yourself if you had to meet these criteria in order to become a counselor.
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Dr. Dan's Answer:
In Missouri, the requirements are that the person receive a master's in counseling within eight different areas of knowledge, be supervised for two years by a licensed professional counselor, fulfill a practicum while in the master's program, pass a 200-question exam, and renew the license for a fee each year.
The impact upon the potential counselor can be tremendous, requiring significant effort and financial investment. The counselor's call must be clear in order to work toward this goal for a prolonged period. The training is worth the effort, and anyone wanting to start a full-time professional counseling practice would potentially need to be licensed.
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