What to Expect
How to Get Started
Ready to start counseling? You can click the button below to schedule an appointment. We will follow up with you by email to provide the initial paperwork electronically through our secure portal.
See our COVID-19 site for new opportunities for support during the present pandemic.
Don't like paperwork?
We dislike busywork and have worked hard to make the paperwork readable and keep it to what is needed.
We read the answers you give, asking what is needed to help get started and then following up as needed. Your time is valuable. We're not going to ask you to complete something we won't use.
Not Ready to Schedule?
If you'd like to pursue therapy but don't want to schedule an appointment first, contact us and we can start the process with you. You can call at 563.223.8036 or email at heath@arena-counseling.com and we'll walk you through the process.
What if I have questions?
Contact us by phone or email! It's a big choice to pursue counseling and an intimate endeavor. We love to ask questions and so welcome you asking questions, too. You have enough on your mind in seeking counseling. We're happy to work to simplify the process of getting help.
The Initial Meeting
The first session consists of a conversation. You are the expert on your life, we're coming alongside to assist, so your opinion and perspective is imperative. In this first time, we explain the process of counseling and ask questions to help better understand your unique situation. While it obviously cannot be exhaustive, it will provide a solid starting point to make sure your interests in pursuing counseling are heard.
"What if it's not a good fit?"
Sometimes we can tell in the first session. Often we give it a few sessions. If you don't feel it's a good fit, we will help you find a therapist that is. Our goal is your health and growth, not forcing interactions that are less beneficial. Therapists are like a pair of shoes - sometimes they fit and sometimes they don't.
Christian Counseling
We offer the opportunity to have a clearly Christian approach to counseling. An integrationist model is used, meaning the best of modern psychology is used with the Bible as the filter of what is true. Some problems are spiritual. Some are biological. Some are relational. Just as medication is sometimes needed for diabetes, not all problems are exclusively spiritual.
This is more than just lip-service or a marketing point - this is who we are. Our faith and hope in Jesus Christ is at the core of our lives and organization. To integrate faith with counseling is more than just a different model, but something that we find great joy in getting to do.
What if I'm not a Christian?
That's okay, too! Our job is not to be pastors. You will be treated with respect and dignity no matter your beliefs. The biggest difference is that we won't encourage any behaviors that go against what the Bible says (e.g., not encouraging to steal even if you feel good in stealing). You are welcome to have differing opinions and encouraged to ask hard questions. As we've said elsewhere, counseling is a training ground for battle, and in such training you don't need to pull punches.