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Informed Consent Agreement

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Effective Date: June 21, 2026

PASTORAL COUNSELING AGREEMENT

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In order to be fully informed about the pastoral counseling you will be receiving, please read through the following guidelines. You are required to acknowledge that you have read and consent to these Informed Consent Guidelines before participating in counseling services. (Note to couples: Your consent applies to all participants receiving services.)

DESCRIPTION OF PASTORAL COUNSELING

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The goal of pastoral counseling is to help individuals think biblically about their current struggles within the context of a confidential, caring, and Christ-centered environment. A pastoral counselor relies upon the Holy Scriptures as the final authority for faith and conduct and recognizes that lasting change is accomplished through the power of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Guided by biblical principles, the counselor's role is to provide compassionate support, guided questioning, biblical instruction, prayer, encouragement, accountability, and practical application of God's Word. Counseling may include Scripture reading, prayer, spiritual disciplines, discipleship assignments, and recommended reading.

Pastoral counseling is not a professional mental health service, and Matthew Bowers is not a licensed mental health counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, social worker, or therapist. No psychological evaluations, diagnoses, or treatment plans will be provided.

QUALIFICATIONS

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Matthew Bowers holds a Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Evangelism and Church Planting and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Pastoral Counseling from Liberty University. He served honorably in the United States Navy for twenty-two years and has extensive experience in leadership, ministry, discipleship, counseling, teaching, and pastoral care.

Matthew currently serves as the Founder and President of Navigation Ministries, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to helping people navigate life through the truth of God's Word by providing biblical counseling, discipleship, leadership development, and ministry training.

REFERRAL POLICY / DISCLAIMER

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Following an initial consultation, it will be determined whether Navigation Ministries can appropriately meet your counseling needs.

Referrals may be made to licensed counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, medical professionals, legal professionals, or other qualified service providers when it is determined that the care required exceeds the scope of pastoral counseling services offered through Navigation Ministries.

PASTORAL COUNSELING FEES

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Counseling sessions are generally 90 minutes in length unless otherwise arranged.

Sessions may be conducted in person, by telephone, or through secure online video conferencing platforms.

Any counseling fees, suggested donations, cancellation policies, or payment arrangements will be communicated prior to the first counseling session.

Please note that Navigation Ministries does not accept insurance and is not a participating provider with any insurance company.

CLIENT EXPECTATIONS

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Please arrive on time for your scheduled appointment.

As part of the counseling process, you may be asked to:

  • Complete reading assignments

  • Participate in prayer

  • Study and apply Scripture

  • Complete reflection exercises

  • Memorize Scripture

  • Practice spiritual disciplines

Your willingness to engage in the counseling process will significantly impact the effectiveness of your counseling experience.

CONFIDENTIALITY

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Your pastoral counselor will adhere to commonly accepted standards of privacy and confidentiality in pastoral counseling.

Information shared during counseling sessions will remain confidential except in situations where disclosure is required by law or necessary to protect the safety of others.

Confidentiality may be broken under the following circumstances:

  • If there is reason to believe you may be a danger to yourself.

  • If there is reason to believe you may be a danger to another person.

  • If there is suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child, elderly person, or vulnerable adult.

  • If disclosure is required by court order or applicable law.

  • If emergency intervention is necessary to prevent serious harm.

There may also be occasions when consultation with ministry leadership or another trusted pastoral counselor would be beneficial to your care. If such consultation is deemed appropriate, every reasonable effort will be made to discuss this with you beforehand.

RIGHTS AS A CLIENT

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You are entitled to:

  • Information regarding counseling methods and procedures.

  • Ask questions regarding the counseling process.

  • End counseling at any time without moral, legal, or financial obligations beyond those already accrued.

  • Expect confidentiality within the limitations described herein.

  • Request referrals to other counseling professionals when appropriate.

  • Receive respectful, Christ-centered care.

MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION

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Any dispute arising out of or relating to counseling services provided by Navigation Ministries shall first be submitted to mediation before any legal action is initiated.

The mediator shall be a mutually agreed-upon neutral third party. Any costs associated with mediation shall be shared equally unless otherwise agreed.

CANCELLATION POLICY

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If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please provide at least 24 hours notice whenever possible.

Failure to provide adequate notice may result in a cancellation fee or forfeiture of any prepaid counseling fee or donation, except in cases of illness, emergency, or circumstances beyond your control.

NON-VOLUNTARY DISCHARGE FROM COUNSELING

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A client may be discharged from counseling services if:

  • The client becomes verbally abusive or physically threatening.

  • The client engages in illegal activity during counseling sessions.

  • The client repeatedly fails to attend scheduled appointments.

  • The client refuses to cooperate with the counseling process.

  • The counselor determines that continued counseling is not beneficial.

  • The client's needs exceed the scope of services offered by Navigation Ministries.

If counseling services are terminated, referrals may be provided when appropriate.

CONTACTING TO SCHEDULE

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Appointments may be scheduled through the Navigation Ministries website at:

www.navigationministry.org

For questions regarding counseling services, please contact:

Navigation Ministries
Email: navigation ministries.info@gmail.com
Phone: (904) 679-1013

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, mental health crisis, or have thoughts of harming yourself or others, call 911 immediately.

For suicide prevention assistance, call or text 988.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

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My acknowledgment below indicates my informed consent to the above guidelines.

Additionally, by accepting this Informed Consent Agreement, I voluntarily authorize Navigation Ministries and Matthew Bowers to provide biblical pastoral counseling services to me.

I understand that Matthew Bowers is not a licensed mental health professional and that pastoral counseling services are faith-based in nature.

I understand that I will not receive a psychological diagnosis, mental health treatment, psychiatric care, medical treatment, or legal advice.

I acknowledge that no guarantees or assurances have been made regarding the results of counseling.

I understand that I am responsible for my own decisions and actions and release Navigation Ministries, its directors, officers, volunteers, and representatives from liability arising from my participation in counseling services, except as prohibited by law.

I understand that my consent may be withdrawn at any time, either verbally or in writing.

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