Fellowship Bible Church does not recommend any specific counselor or mental health professional, and the referrals identified in this resource list do not necessarily imply a complete endorsement by Fellowship Bible Church. Although we do try to avoid recommending counselors and organizations whose views and practices are not in accord with Fellowship Bible Church's Statement of Faith, values and philosophy of ministry, it is not always possible to ensure complete agreement.

It is important that the core values of you and your therapist match, therefore, if you are seeking a counselor or mental health professional, you are urged to carefully screen two or three prospective counselors that can meet your needs to your own satisfaction. You may wish to schedule a 10-minute phone conversation to interview the potential counselor prior to scheduling an office appointment. If there are insurance concerns, it is important to know what the options are with your mental health provider and if there are any restrictions.

A suggested list of important questions to ask the provider includes:

• Specific views and integration of Christianity: Be sure to ask the counselor how they integrate their Christian faith and beliefs into their counseling practice. You may want to find out specifics such as: How do they utilize the Bible and prayer in counseling? What is their view of Scripture? What do they believe about humanity, sin, sanctification, the Holy Spirit and the role of the church? How do they approach certain issues pertaining to your situation (abuse, divorce, etc.)?
• Licensing and education: A counselor's licensing credentials and education do not always guarantee a professional's competence or suitability of your situation but they can be indicators of their qualifications. Many times there are skilled, unlicensed providers who may be in the licensure process and who are under the supervision of a licensed professional or are in the final stages of completing their studies. In addition, in most cases, insurance reimbursement for mental healthcare is a possibility only if the provider is licensed and a certain level of education has been completed.
• Professional experience and specialization: Ask if the counselor has experience helping people with your specific area of need. How many years have they been in practice? Is this an area of their specialty?
• Fees and insurance eligibility: Ask about their fees and insurance reimbursement (if applicable). Some counselors/counseling centers operate using a sliding scale or a minimum fee agreement. Be sure that you know what you will be paying before beginning your counseling.
• Scheduling availability: Some providers may not be taking new clients. Some may have a waiting list, while others may have openings in a month. Some appointments may be scheduled within a week or two. Whatever the case, ask about their availability and if you will be able to get an appointment in a timely manner, both to get started and for any follow-up sessions you may need.