ASSOCIATES IN CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
...helping you thrive in your life journey
What is Christian counseling and how is it different from other types of counseling?
Christian Counseling simply communicates that we respect and value the beliefs of those we are privileged to work with, regardless of their religion, race, age and gender. Christian counseling is holistic in nature, taking into account the spiritual component of a client's life. This process can include the counselor using the tools of the mental health profession, the truths of scripture, and the wisdom of life experience to help those seeking this type of counseling. Like other theories of counseling a person's faith is regarded and respected.
Do I have to be a Christian to come to AICC?
AICC's services are available to everyone. Although we are a faith-based organization, our approach is to meet people wherever they are in all areas of life. Your religious/spiritual background will be respected.
How does counseling help?
Counseling can help in a number of different situations and ways. It provides a safe, trusted place. It provides a person with tools to make needed changes in their life. It challenges faulty thinking and perspectives. It increases quality of life. It helps a person reach their goals.
What do I have to do to get started?
If you decide to try therapy at our office, call us at 309-681-9432 and the support staff will obtain your information & get you scheduled with one of our therapists.
How long do I have to wait to see someone?
Generally your appointment will be scheduled within a week or two of your initial call. In some instances, appointment times are available the same day. Emergencies will be given priority and generally are seen within 48 hours.
Is counseling confidential?
As a general rule, everything disclosed in a counseling session is confidential. However, there are some exceptions to this. For example, confidentiality is limited in the following situations: 1) if you express that you may harm yourself or someone else; 2) if you disclose abuse or neglect of a child, elderly, or disabled person; 3) if treatment records are requested by subpoena; 4) in order to obtain payment for services rendered; 5) if evidence of treatment is requested by third party payers (insurance companies). Please note that this listing may not be exhaustive. If you have further questions, please see our clients rights or contact us for further information.
Do you accept insurance?
Yes. Please see our "" fee" page. AICC offers precertification as a courtesy. You can call our office and the support staff will be happy to precertify you with your insurance company. We are a preferred provider for several major insurance companies.
What if my spouse doesn't want to come to marriage counseling?
It is not unusual for one spouse to seek help for their marriage and the other spouse not be willing to go to counseling. Although this is disappointing it should not hinder the willing spouse to seek counseling. Many times changes that take place from individual counseling affect the marriage in a positive manner. Sometimes the other spouse will decide later to join or be asked to join.
What is play therapy?
Play therapy is a special process that focuses on children's need to express themselves through the use of play and toys. Children are encouraged to play as they wish with a trained play therapist who provides a safe and understanding environment. In this process a wide variety of toys are made available to children to encourage the expression of emotional concerns. Children are given the opportunity to express themselves through a variety of styles including art, play, sand play, dramatic play and fantasy play.
Why play therapy for children?
Children like to play. Children are not emotionally mature to understand and talk about their feelings the same way adults do. This makes adult therapies inappropriate in meeting children's special needs. Play becomes therapeutic to children as they give expression to their experiences and emotions. Children can recreate, in play, the experiences that are part of their anger, fears, sadness or frustrations currently influencing their behavior. A benefit of play therapy is that children can create therapeutic play at their developmental level. The relationship with the therapist allows children a sense of security when recreating emotionally stressful experiences.
What happens in play therapy?
Through the play therapy process, children create play that resembles the emotional experiences that they are struggling with internally. These experiences usually cannot be expressed verbally. Children will select special toys to include in their play and use those toys to recreate issues that represent emotional conflicts that are important to the child. Beginning with this expression, the child's play evolves until the child gains a sense of understanding and comfort over this situation.
How can play therapy help my child?
Through the play therapy process, children can change their personal view of events in the world and begin to better enjoy their interactions with others. Children can recreate their frustrations or disappointments with a skilled play therapist and then change the experience of that situation in their play. Then they begin to enjoy more of their play experiences and therefore, more of life's interactions. This leads to higher self-esteem and more enjoyment of activities with family, friends, and peers. This also makes parenting a more enjoyable process.
How long will play therapy take?
Play therapy is a process that depends upon several factors in the child's past and present experiences. The two most important factors are the developmental stage of the child and secondly, the age of the child at the onset of the issue. Usually the more recent the events, the shorter the length of therapy. The further back in the child's development that the issue occurred, the longer the play process will take.
Is play different in play therapy than when my child plays at home?
The basic function of play remains the same in both situations. Play, to children, is a natural way to rehearse for life's interactions. Play basically has three purposes. The first and second purpose is for cognitive and motor development. The third purpose is for emotional resolutions. When facilitated by a trained play therapist, the play becomes focused on emotional purposes. This leads to understanding and re-establishment of balance inthe child's sense of well-being.
How will I be involved as a parent?
Parent involvement is important in the play therapy process. Parents will be asked to meet with the therapist on a regular basis. A parent may become involved in play therapy by joining the play process, if recommended by the therapist. Parents also will be asked to contribute to their child's progress by following recommendations of the therapist which may include activities outside the play therapy room to support the therapy process.
