(Ellen is available only for those who attend her local church or who participate in one of its ministries.)
She is not offering licensed professional counseling services. Ellen offers care as a trained and experienced lay-counselor. She focuses on spiritual support and guidance. If you are looking for a licensed mental health professional, she is unable to provide that.
Ellen offers care virtually, via phone or text, and through emails (with some exceptions). You will need access to Zoom on your device if meeting online. Please be sure that you are in a quiet, private location. These requirements are essential.
If you would like care, please read this Informed Consent carefully, ask Ellen any questions you may have, and sign and date it before your first meeting (you may do so electronically by simply typing your name).
There are several conditions upon which care will be initiated. They are listed as follows:
Sometimes, care is scheduled as weekly meetings (virtual, phone, email, text, or sometimes in person), and others do well with an occasional meeting or even on an as-needed or on-call basis. This will be determined together, depending on your situation.
Ellen is a trained lay-counselor. Because she is not medically trained or licensed, she considers her care to be “mentoring” or in-depth discipleship. The advice and care she gives will come from her understanding of the gospel, God’s Word, and the approach and methods from her training and experience in biblical counseling. She does not seek to replace medical care, proper diagnosis, or offer any form of medical advice. You are urged to be under the care of your physician with regular checkups, and she will refer you to your physician for medical concerns.
All care is conducted in accordance with Ellen's understanding of Scripture. Your mentoring will be biblical in which the Scriptures are the authority. This does not negate the need for some to also be under proper medical care for their struggles. Ellen is willing to work along with your medical team when appropriate.
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Information disclosed in meetings will be held confidential only as Ellen believes the Bible or the State requires. Because this is considered discipleship, not professional licensed counseling, church-based disciplers are not bound by the same privacy laws. In certain circumstances, the Bible requires that facts be disclosed to selected others (Matt. 18:15- 20), typically a pastor, elder, or other appropriate support (such as family members.) Ellen holds a high view of the local church, and her relationship with you is one way that she serves your church.
By signing this consent, you are entrusting Ellen with the decision to disclose information. However, Ellen will not disclose without your knowledge and you will be offered the opportunity to participate in that disclosure (with exceptions stated below):
If you are experiencing domestic violence, your safety is the #1 priority. Therefore, a safe plan will be developed together, considering your unique circumstances.
Exceptions: Ellen is able to disclose without your consent if she believes that you are in danger to self or others. She will notify appropriate authorities and any other individuals that need to be informed. If she suspects child abuse or elder abuse, or current criminal behavior committed by you or against you, she is obligated to report to proper authorities. Your safety will always be the first consideration.
If Ellen is mentoring a minor, an adult parent or guardian must consent by signing below. She will use her best judgment about disclosing session information to parents/guardians, sharing whatever is deemed important and necessary for their role as the authority and primary discipler of that minor. She considers herself a partner, in a sense, in caring for the minor, not a replacement for parenting. Parents should not portray mentoring as punitive in any way, and must agree to trust Ellen's discretion and judgement while at the same time having full freedom to ask questions, participate in sessions when deemed helpful, and openly discussing the general progress being made.
IMPORTANT: Parents/guardians or another agreed upon adult are to be nearby at all times while we are meeting with a minor. We will do that in such a way that the minor has privacy in conversations. Ellen will go over those logistics with you prior to seeing the minor.
LENGTH OF CARE:
There is no required number of meetings. This varies case by case. Ellen will discuss this with you as you progress.
The length of our meetings will be as needed, but rarely more than 1.5 hours in length.
At any time during our time together, for reasons sufficient to himself/herself, Ellen, and also the person receiving care, shall have the option of terminating meetings.
COST:
There is no cost, care is provided for free. (If you wish to assist in the costs of this ministry, please ask Ellen about a way to do this. That is a welcome blessing!)
CANCELLATIONS:
Too many no-shows can result in losing your spot so that Ellen can give it to someone on her wait list.
Please give a 24 hour notice whenever possible if you must cancel. After several cancellations in a row, you might be placed on a wait list for future appointments (or you may terminate care) to make room for others.
HOMEWORK:
Ellen will often provide homework assignments that will assist you in your spiritual growth. Some homework will be given during your meetings, and some may be emailed to you at a later time. (Be sure to watch for emails or messages from Ellen throughout the week.) Some assignments will be practical in nature, others will be bible study on topics that pertain to your situation.
If you are unwilling to do the homework assigned, your meetings will be terminated. If you need accomodations (such as for learning disabilities or other needs) please let Ellen know and assignments can easily be adjusted.
Many of the resources are free, but you may be asked to purchase a notebook or study books or other resources for your homework. Please be prepared to do so.
CONSENT:
I agree to adhere to the above requirements, and I give my consent for care with Ellen Castillo.