Frequently Asked Questions:

Q:What kind of counseling problems do you address at Compassionate Counselors, Inc.?

A: We address any problem of living.  We do both marriage counseling and family counseling.  We counsel children, but also counsel single adults.  Some of the specific areas that we have counseled include:  Marital problems, Depression, Bi-Polar Disorder, Suicide, Anger/Bitterness/ Forgiveness, Anxiety and Fears, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), Panic Attacks, Abortion, Mental Health, Parenting, ADHD, Sexual Immorality, Homosexuality, Self-injury/”cutting,” God’s Sovereignty/Man’s Trials, Addictions, Role of Husband and Wife, and others. Our conviction is that the Scriptures are able to address any of the problems of life that you encounter (2 Pet 1:3-4: 1 Cor. 6:9-11).  For more information, see our brochure, What is Nouthetic Counseling [PDF] 

Q: How do I schedule an appointment?

A: You can call us direct at (602) 384-4417 or email us at CompassionateCounselors@cox.net and we will set up a meeting as soon as possible.  Please download the introductory sheet Stating the Problem [DOC], fill this out and then email it back to us as an attachment.  This will significantly expedite us being able to help you.  You also should read our introductory brochure Biblical Counseling Always Works if… [PDF] so that you know more of our convictions about biblical counseling.

Q: What are the fees for counseling?

A: Each counseling session lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours and the fee is $100 per session. We endorse the biblical principles of Galatians 6:6; Romans 15:27 and 1 Corinthians 9:11 in receiving these fees.

Q: How long are the counseling sessions?

A: Plan on between 1 and 1.5 hours per session. 

Q:  What if I miss an appointment?
 
A: Please call us at least 24 hours in advance if you cannot keep an appointment.  We ask you to do this both as a courtesy to our ministry, and also to others who could be receiving counsel in your time slot.
 
At the time of our first meeting, we will ask you for a separate $50 check that we will keep (uncashed) in your file as an “escrow” account.  In the event that you do not contact us at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule your appointment, we will deposit this check. The only exception is for absolute emergencies.  If you wish to begin counseling again, after this check has been deposited, you will need to give us another $50 check to hold as before.
 
If there are no cancellations or reschedules outside of the 24-hour window during the duration of your counseling meetings with us, we will return your uncashed check to you. Upon completion of your final counseling session with us, your uncashed check will be returned to you.

Q: What if I cannot afford the counseling fees?

A: Please remember that Compassionate Counselors, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  We are not a private practice.  We keep our fees as low as possible so that we can serve as many people as possible.  We are dependent upon the income from our fees as well as donors who contribute to the financial support of CCI. 

For those who cannot afford our fees, we urge you to contact family, friends, your church, and even your employer.  We have had people utilize each of these resources to pay for their counseling.  If people know you are serious about getting help, they will usually help you financially.  If, however, you have exhausted all of these avenues, please contact us about how you can make payment arrangements.

Q: Do you offer a sliding scale for counseling fees?

A: If you find it to be a financial burden to pay for this help, we would ask you to consider spreading out your payments so it will not put a strain on your current situation.  We believe in good stewardship, both for us at CCI, and for you as well.  With that in mind, we believe it is responsible to follow the principles of Scripture: Gal. 6:6 (“The one who is taught the Word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.”) and also Rom. 15:27 (“if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things”) and 1 Cor. 9:11 (“If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you”).  If you wish to work out a financial payment plan, please contact us directly. 

Q: Will my health insurance cover counseling fees?

A: Since Compassionate Counselors, Inc. is not a private practice, we are not funded by insurance providers.  We are a non-profit ministry sustained by gifts from friends like you.
We do not deal directly with any insurance company nor are we on any provider list for any company. We can give you a form to submit to your insurance provider, which lists the visit date, the diagnosis code and the cost, as well as the credentials of your counselor.
If you want to check in advance whether or not your provider will cover these visits, call them and ask what their requirements are for covering "out of network" counseling. Then contact us to see if we answer this requirement.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept? 

A: We accept cash, check or money orders.

Q: What times during the day do you counsel people?

A: Our first appointment time is 9 AM and the latest 4 PM.  Plan to meet with us for between 1.5 and 2 hours.  We are available at these times Monday through Friday.  Please call to find out what days we will be at a particular office (Phoenix or Scottsdale).  If you require hours outside of that time period, please contact us via our Contact Page or by phone at (602) 384-4417.

Q: Where are the offices of CCI?

A: We have three valley locations; our main office is in Phoenix and we also have satellite offices in Scottsdale and the West Valley.  Contact us for exact locations and schedule times.

Q: I do not live in the Metro Phoenix area.  Where can I get counseling help?

A: We heartily recommend our brothers and sisters who are with the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (www.nanc.org) and also the Internation Association of Biblical Counselors (www.iabc.net).  If you contact one of these organizations, they will put you in contact with a solid, biblical counselor.

Q: Can you come to our church to speak?

A: Absolutely.  We would be honored to minister in your fellowship. We can do men’s retreats, or men’s breakfasts. We would love to speak to your group about issues related to biblical counseling and possibly “jump start” some ministry in your church. We also do training for biblical counseling.

Q: Does CCI do training for biblical counseling?

A: It would be our joy. We can do special seminars on particular topics (i.e. “Depression” or “Anxiety” or “Parenting,” but also we can do extensive training for laymen in the church over a Friday evening and Saturday morning. We have done 14 week training in a College , and can do workshops on Saturday mornings.   We can even customize our seminars to particular issues for your congregation. We would love to minister the Word of God to you. Contact us and we will discuss the options together. We also are available for other various speaking venues.

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