What is an advocate?
An advocate is a mature Christian who will walk through the counseling process with you to help you put God’s Word into practice both during and after the conclusion of counseling.
What are the reasons to have an advocate?
- God made the local church as the means of grace in the believer’s life and put your pastor and church leaders as responsible to care for your soul. Our ministry is to help the church care for souls. Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:17
- “The presence of an advocate drastically improves the success of what takes place in counseling and after. Many times, those in crisis have been isolated from the community. Advocates help to bring them back into a healthy, biblical community. They care for you deeply and will be a friend, guide, and encouragement through your toughest days.”—https://twelvestones.org/fees-faqs/ Galatians 6:1-2
- If no one from the church is aware of the counseling, after the counseling is finished, sometimes there is a tendency to fall back into their old habits as there is no longer anyone to keep them accountable. If there is an advocate, the advocate will be able to continue to pray for and encourage the counselee and help keep them accountable.
What are the advocate’s responsibilities?
- Attend each session with you if possible. This is preferred. (Approximately one hour)
- If not able to attend all sessions, attend at least one of the first few sessions with you if possible.
- Each week, if you are unable to attend the session:
o Receive an update from the counselor by email or phone call. (5-30 minutes, normally very brief)
o Debrief after each session with the counselee. (15-30 minutes)
o Check in with the counselor every few weeks to share growth, updates, and concerns. - Follow up during the week with the counselee for prayer, accountability, and encouragement.
(5-15 minutes) - Reach out to the counselor with any concerns.
- Once counseling has finished, regularly follow up for prayer, accountability, and encouragement.
What are the Counselee’s Responsibilities?
- Faithfulness in attendance to the counseling sessions and completing the projects for growth.
- Schedule the debrief (by phone or in person) with your advocate within two days after the meeting if they don’t attend. Share:
o What you learned in the session.
o What projects for growth you were given.
o Any growth or additional problems that you see.
Do I need to have an advocate?
We will let you know before counseling starts if we require an advocate. If we don’t mention it to you, you do not need one. Normally, we request an advocate for those who come for counseling from other like-minded, Gospel-centered, Bible-believing churches.
How do I obtain an advocate?
- Talk to one of your pastors for recommendations. Your pastor would be a good advocate.
- Your pastor must approve the advocate that you use.
- It’s recommended that the person be of the same sex as the counselee.