Has anyone had bishop send them to the LDS counselling services?

[Peyton2309]

If you had seen my other post (in which I received amazing support) I ended up going to see my bishop and explaining a lot to him about my faults and shortcomings and how I felt in general.

 

This week he asked to meet with me and said "I've been praying so much and Heavenly Father keeps telling me you need counselling". 

I guess God really wants to heal me from the inside. He's been trying but there is something there and I can't get rid of it. It's not big or a sin or anything... probably just  a lot of childhood things. 

Anyway, has anyone ever done this? And how does it work? 

Also does anyone know how much it currently costs when the bishop is referring you?

Much love, brothers and sisters xxx

[Sunday21]

Hi. My bishop asked me if I would go to Lds counselling services. (He felt that a lack of desire to get married was a clear sign of insanity.) It was clear from the conversation that when the bishop refers you, it is free.

My ward is poor so I said that I would pay my own way. I went a few times. I paid a modest fee. $75 per session. While I was there, it seemed to me that when the bishop refers you it is free. So..I would call the lds counselling service say, bishop referred and ask about financial arrangements. They probably get this question all day long. I imagine there is some code that you have to give. By the way, the temple often arranges discounts for members at local hotels using the same code system. Call your temple.

By the way, lots of very very happy prospective adoptive parents with their babies. I have never seen such happy people!

[Guest]

3 hours ago, Peyton2309 said:

1. Anyway, has anyone ever done this?
2. And how does it work? 
3. Also does anyone know how much it currently costs when the bishop is referring you?

1. Yes.
2. I'm not sure what you mean.  You contact the counselor.  Set up an appointment.  Then you check in.  Then you talk to the counselor.  It's just like going to any other doctor's appointment.
3. It is around $150 to $200 per visit.  If you're financially strapped, you can talk to the bishop about financial assisstance.  You have to understand that counselling is not a one time only thing.  It will take time with many visits.

You do not necessarily have to go to an LDS counselor.  It does not necessarily go to LDS social services.  Talk to your bishop about choices.  He will often turn you to LDS social services.  But it is not required.

Edited August 13, 2017 by Guest

[Jane_Doe]

4 hours ago, Peyton2309 said:

Anyway, has anyone ever done this? And how does it work? 

Also does anyone know how much it currently costs when the bishop is referring you?

Much love, brothers and sisters xxx

I have done counseling before- it totally changed me for the better and would 100% recommend it.  Counseling, done properly, is a lot of work because you're the one who fixes everything, while the counselor guides you via their expert training and experience.  If you have more questions, I'd love to answer them.

Talk to the bishop about the cost.  There's good chance he's willing to help cover the cost, in part or in full.

 

 

[NeuroTypical]

2 hours ago, Carborendum said:

1.  
2.  
3. It is around $150 to $200 per visit.  If you're financially strapped, you can talk to the bishop about financial assisstance.  You have to understand that counselling is not a one time only thing.  It will take time with many visits.

Costs will vary.  Here in Colorado Springs, we have a few counselors our Bishop refers folks to, who charge less than half that.  

[Peyton2309]

Thank you very much guys. I appreciate it very much. 

I guess I'm trying to figure out how this helps... does it draw you closer to God, help you overcome hurdles that stop your spirutal growth? 

I feel so at peace with going, it's been a real blessing to know how inspired my bishop was. 

[Jane_Doe]

1 hour ago, Peyton2309 said:

Thank you very much guys. I appreciate it very much. 

I guess I'm trying to figure out how this helps... does it draw you closer to God, help you overcome hurdles that stop your spirutal growth? 

I feel so at peace with going, it's been a real blessing to know how inspired my bishop was. 

Mind, body, and spirit are all connected.  If one is ill, it effects the others too.  For example, depression (a mental illness) can hurt your spirituality and physical health.  

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

5 hours ago, Carborendum said:

1. Yes.
2. I'm not sure what you mean.  You contact the counselor.  Set up an appointment.  Then you check in.  Then you talk to the counselor.  It's just like going to any other doctor's appointment.
3. It is around $150 to $200 per visit.  If you're financially strapped, you can talk to the bishop about financial assisstance.  You have to understand that counselling is not a one time only thing.  It will take time with many visits.

You do not necessarily have to go to an LDS counselor.  It does not necessarily go to LDS social services.  Talk to your bishop about choices.  He will often turn you to LDS social services.  But it is not required.

Carb, your question helped me understand Peyton's question better I think . . .(thanks!)  

Peyton, Yes, I have been to LDS Social Services (it wasn't my Bishop that referred me, but I have been there.  As Carb explained, it is just like going to therapy anywhere else in that you make an appointment, and of and sit and talk.  Yes, if you need help the church will help.  When I went, I planned to pay with my insurance, but they forgot to bill my insurance....they said most people that come there it is paid for by their Bishops.  

Therapy has been so healing for me.  As Jane Doe said it is work, but if you do the work, it can be really powerful.  I've been in therapy for years actually.  It's kind of like this...it only takes a second to break your leg, then it takes months to heal and repair it.  I go to therapy because of years of childhood abuse, so I can't expect to heal overnight.  

I actually think everyone oould benefit from at least short-term therapy!  So this is a great opportunity for you.  

 

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

2 hours ago, Peyton2309 said:

Thank you very much guys. I appreciate it very much. 

I guess I'm trying to figure out how this helps... does it draw you closer to God, help you overcome hurdles that stop your spirutal growth? 

I feel so at peace with going, it's been a real blessing to know how inspired my bishop was. 

OH my stars, I could write an entire book about that (seriously I could and I did!)  Yes, as Jane Doe said it is all connected.  If you want to overcome hurdles that stop your spiritual growth then it is good to see an LDS therapist.  My therapist is atheist, I think.  And while she supports me in my belief, she doesn't understand the things you might want to talk about.  

[Sunday21]

My lds therapist was a nice person but a dope. It was a waste of time for me and actually harmful. Just because someone is lds does not mean that they are good at their job. Or knowledgable. My therapist should not have been a practicing therapist. Other people who have been to the same office here feel the same.

Edited August 13, 2017 by Sunday21

[Jane_Doe]

41 minutes ago, Sunday21 said:

My lds therapist was a nice person but a dope. It was a waste of time for me and actually harmful. Just because someone is lds does not mean that they are good at their job. Or knowledgable. My therapist should not have been a practicing therapist. Other people who have been to the same office here feel the same.

That is true.

It is very important to get a therapist that works with your personality and goals.  They don't need to be your same faith as you, but should respect your faith (most will too). 

[Sunday21]

16 minutes ago, Jane_Doe said:

That is true.

It is very important to get a therapist that works with your personality and goals.  They don't need to be your same faith as you, but should respect your faith (most will too). 

Thank you. I was anticipating abuse! 

Therapists also need to be intelligent. Many people walk into your office with different problems and from different backgrounds. I tried twice going to a psychologist who sees many phd clients. She has quite a practice made up of handling these people. I respect that this group of people have a particular set of problems but I don't see life that way. So the cookie cutter for that set of people does not fit me. I have given up on counsellors and now I just talk to God. But I did try!

[Peyton2309]

Thank you very much guys, as always I'm grateful.