ASSIST
A
gift for you from the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin
A
Personal Counseling Service
Being a
pastor, an Associate in Ministry or a Diaconal Minister is a rewarding, valued
calling of the Church. Your
leadership is exciting, challenging, and treasured.
But this calling also sometimes includes times of stress, discouragement,
or pain. Family pressures or
difficulties occasionally become unmanageable.
There are, in short, times when professional input into how we are
managing these stresses or pains becomes helpful.
ASSIST
was instituted by the South-Central Synod of Wisconsin, Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, to enable all rostered leaders and their families to manage
personal matters and solve work and family-related problems.
The service recognizes that all of us may benefit from time to time from
some professional input into how we are doing.
We hope that ASSIST will allow you to obtain professional evaluation and
assistance, and seek professional help at an early stage.
ASSIST
entitles you, your spouse and your dependents to professional evaluation and
brief counseling of up to three sessions, plus two professional referrals if
appropriate. If more than three
sessions are required, you have the option of continuing with the same therapist
if you wish.
Counseling
through ASSIST is private, arranged at your request and only when you feel the
need for help. Your visits are
strictly confidential. Because the
first three sessions are offered at no cost to you, ASSIST helps you over a
potential financial barrier to seeking help.
The synod
council and staff of this synod value the strong leadership of you, its rostered
leaders. ASSIST is offered as a way
of saying “thanks” to you and your family for that leadership.
Please accept it with our gratitude and continuing care for you.
For
an appointment, call (608) 255-9330
The Integral Psychology Center 1619 Monroe Street, Madison.
(Say you are calling through ASSIST.)
Daytime
and evening appointments available.
Appointments
cancelled less than 24 hours in advance will be counted as a full appointment.
ASSIST
can help with….
¨
Work
difficulties
¨
Co-worker
conflicts
¨
Marital problems
¨
Anxieties
¨
Phobias
¨
Depression
¨
Stress
management
¨
Substance abuse
¨
Healing old
wounds
¨
Domestic abuse
¨
Single parenting
¨
Step-family
issues
¨
Anger
¨
Conflict
resolution
¨
Self-acceptance
and others.
Things to know about
ASSIST service…..
Q. How will I know when
I need to call?
A. When ordinary
problems become too overwhelming to handle, or when feelings of depression,
discouragement or unhappiness interfere with your day-to-day living and your
ability to function at home or on your job…it may be time to call and talk
things over with a professional.
Q. Is information about
me confidential?
A. Absolutely!
Those calling ASSIST know that counseling will not come to the attention
of the bishop, the synod office, or the congregation.
(Of course the legal limits of confidentiality will apply, as in cases of
potential harm.)
Q. How much will the
counseling cost?
A. ASSIST helps you
over a financial barrier by offering the first three sessions at no charge to
you. All sessions will be billed to
your health insurance, whether or not they will cover the service.
You will not be billed by ASSIST for the three appointments.
Q. How do I make an
appointment?
A. Simply call
608-255-9330 in Madison and tell the office manager that you are calling to make
an appointment through ASSIST. A
therapist will return your call to briefly discuss your interest over the phone
so you can be assigned to the more appropriate therapist.
Daytime and evening appointments are available.
Q. Who are the
healthcare providers?
A. The Integral
Psychology Center in Madison is a state-certified clinic, located at 1619 Monroe
St. The group has been in existence
for 30 years, and all therapists have Master’s or Doctorate degrees in a
mental health field and are licensed, certified or approved by the State of
Wisconsin.