The mission of Rock of Salvation Christian Ministries, Inc. dba Enduring Hope Church, dba School of Hope ("Rock of Salvation") is to provide emotional and spiritual wholeness to broken and wounded people through the power of Jesus Christ. Rock of Salvation Christian Ministries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit pastoral counseling ministry. Persons receiving group counseling/ministry understand that:

 

• The group counseling provided by Rock of Salvation is faith-based Christian counseling. Counselors are ordained ministers or "Domestic Missionaries" with a counseling focus. Counseling techniques are limited in nature to Biblical and spiritual counseling, which includes the use of scripture, prayer, and the discussion of and application of biblical principles to the counselees' life.

 

• Counselors are not licensed by the State of California as Licensed Professional Counselors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Family or Marriage Therapists, or Social Workers.

 

• Rock of Salvation takes very seriously the counselor’s responsibility to keep confidential any matters learned of during group counseling sessions. Confidentiality, however, is not absolute when legal and/or safety concerns so warrant. The following are examples of circumstances under which confidentiality between the counselor and counselee must be breached. This list is not exhaustive; it is possible that other circumstances may arise wherein confidentiality may not be protected:

 

• Counselor has cause to believe, or counselee actually discloses his or her involvement in physical or sexual abuse or neglect towards children, the elderly, or the disabled.

• Counselee is a danger to self.

• Counselee is a danger to or has threatened to harm others.

• Counselee appears unable to make rational decisions as to his or her need for emergency treatment.

• Counselee appears to be in medical crisis and unable to grant permission for release of information.

• In response to a court subpoena for counselee’s records or information.

• During discussions with other Rock of Salvation counselors regarding counselee issues, although confidentiality will be maintained within the organization/ministry unless a breach of confidentiality is warranted by safety and/or legal concerns.

 

• Counselees will be referred to a Licensed Professional Counselor, Family or Marriage Therapist, Psychologist, Social Worker, or Psychiatrist if and when the lay counselor determines that the counselee needs professional services. This may happen under any of the circumstances described above, or under any circumstance in which the lay counselor believes, in his or her best judgment or in accordance with state law, such a referral is warranted.

 

• Counselors will not testify in court or release counseling notes or documents referring to counselee’s discussions with counselor unless required by at court subpoena. This includes testifying on behalf of counselees for divorce or child custody hearings.

 

• Counselors are not licensed attorneys and/or medical doctors. Information and recommendations provided by counselors is strictly opinion and is not intended to be legal and/or medical counsel or clinical diagnoses. 

 

• Counselees are fully responsible for all decisions they make in regard to counseling recommendations and/or suggestions.

 

• The termination of the counselor/counselee relationship occurs when:

 

• The counselee informs the counselor that they do not believe they need additional counseling

• The counselee does not schedule additional sessions

• The counselee does not call to reschedule or does not show up for a scheduled session

• The counselor recommends that the counselee be referred to another counselor or professional

• The counselee and counselor mutually determine that counseling services be discontinued

 

As a member of this group, the counselee agrees to not disclose to anyone outside the group any information that may help to identify another group member. This includes, but is not limited to, names, physical descriptions, biological information, and specifics to the content of interactions with other group members.

 

BY CHECKING BELOW, I indicate that I have read carefully and understand the Confidentiality Agreement and that I agree to its terms and conditions. I have asked and had answered any questions I have concerning this Confidentiality Agreement and am aware that signing the Agreement is required for admission to the group. I am also aware that my refusal to sign this Agreement will exclude me from participating in the group.