pastoral counseling
Dave Howser, M.Div., LCPC
5244 N. Lakewood Avenue, Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: (773) 450-3395 http://caravancounseling.com/ Areas of Specialty…
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For several decades, North Shore Baptist Church has provided a space for Pastoral Counseling by a licensed, trained professional which is separate from the other programs offered by the church. Clients need not be a member of the church to receive counseling and are often from the larger Chicago community. Client fees are the responsibility of the client and several PPO insurance plans are accepted. To make an appointment, contact the counselor directly through the information provided above.
About Dave Howser…
Dave Howser is a Masters level therapist licensed in Illinois (LCPC stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) with over 25 years of experience providing quality therapy and pastoral care services in various settings ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to community organizations and houses of faith- working with diverse populations including youth, adults and seniors, the HIV/AIDS community, the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) community, secular and interfaith communities. His work often assists those who seek to strengthen their emotional and psychological health and encourages them to identify and integrate their own unique spiritual growth as a complimentary resource.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are some questions frequently asked by clients. Please feel free to call Dave Howser directly at (773) 450-3395 if you have further questions or to set up an appointment. You may also contact him through email at: [email protected]
What type of counseling is offered?
Depending on one’s goals and needs, the following modalities are offered: family, couples (married or partnered), individual and adolescent therapy. Periodically, a group may be offered.
Are there different styles of counseling…what is best for me?
There are a variety of reasons that one seeks counseling. A clear understanding of those issues helps the therapist and client, together, to choose from several different therapeutic approaches. Some therapeutic styles may be directive or behavioral and others might be more process oriented or reflective. An integrative style is one in which the therapist takes into consideration which approach will match with certain personalities or be more effective with certain goals during the counseling process. These factors are also considered when choosing the modality of therapy- individual, couples or family therapy. Pastoral Counseling is also offered (see below).
What is pastoral counseling?
Life events as well as one’s family and cultural background contribute toward the formation of ethical and moral value systems which are in process throughout one’s entire life. Pastoral Counseling is a type of counseling that identifies the faith resources that an individual has formed and employs them as an additional focus for reflection. Examining these factors in depth can help provide insight for growth and direction. Pastoral Counseling is open to those of all faith traditions and is focused on the spiritual path as identified by the individual. This distinguishes it from Christian Counseling, which starts with a particular faith system. Pastoral Counseling is not imposed on anyone, but is an additional approach for those requesting it.
What if I don’t believe in God? What if my faith is different than the therapist’s?
Belief in God or a particular faith system is not required for therapy or Pastoral Counseling. All clients begin with psychotherapy. Pastoral Counseling is only added for those who request that additional layer to the process. The therapy process may still address one’s values and ethics when related to particular goals, but it does not impose a belief system on the individual. It uses the belief system identified by the client and works within that system.
What is the cost?
Every effort is made to provide affordable therapy services to those who want them. For that reason, fees are set at a reasonable rate and raised only as needed. A limited number of reduced-fee sessions are available for short term therapy for clients demonstrating financial need. Payment is expected at each session. If one cannot afford therapy, then referrals can be given to agencies that provide counseling for low-income clients.
Can I use my insurance? What insurance do you accept?
Currently, there are in-network contracts with the following PPO providers: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, Cigna, and United Behavioral Healthcare. Please contact your benefits provider to confirm your eligibility and/or precertification before your intake appointment. If you do not have one of the above listed insurance companies and your health insurance allows for out-of-network providers, contact them to confirm those requirements.
What is the affiliation/relationship with North Shore Baptist Church?
North Shore Baptist Church has a long-standing commitment to hosting counseling services for its members and the wider community. The counseling services and other programs that are offered through Caravan Counseling are independently offered as a resource to NSBC and the larger community. In other words, we work together for certain programs, but counseling is separate and independent of the church. The church does not pay a salary to the therapist and fees do not go to the church.
About Dave Howser…
Dave Howser is a Masters level therapist licensed in Illinois (LCPC stands for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) with over 25 years of experience providing quality therapy and pastoral care services in various settings ranging from hospitals and nursing homes to community organizations and houses of faith- working with diverse populations including youth, adults and seniors, the HIV/AIDS community, the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning) community, secular and interfaith communities. His work often assists those who seek to strengthen their emotional and psychological health and encourages them to identify and integrate their own unique spiritual growth as a complimentary resource.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Below are some questions frequently asked by clients. Please feel free to call Dave Howser directly at (773) 450-3395 if you have further questions or to set up an appointment. You may also contact him through email at: [email protected]
What type of counseling is offered?
Depending on one’s goals and needs, the following modalities are offered: family, couples (married or partnered), individual and adolescent therapy. Periodically, a group may be offered.
Are there different styles of counseling…what is best for me?
There are a variety of reasons that one seeks counseling. A clear understanding of those issues helps the therapist and client, together, to choose from several different therapeutic approaches. Some therapeutic styles may be directive or behavioral and others might be more process oriented or reflective. An integrative style is one in which the therapist takes into consideration which approach will match with certain personalities or be more effective with certain goals during the counseling process. These factors are also considered when choosing the modality of therapy- individual, couples or family therapy. Pastoral Counseling is also offered (see below).
What is pastoral counseling?
Life events as well as one’s family and cultural background contribute toward the formation of ethical and moral value systems which are in process throughout one’s entire life. Pastoral Counseling is a type of counseling that identifies the faith resources that an individual has formed and employs them as an additional focus for reflection. Examining these factors in depth can help provide insight for growth and direction. Pastoral Counseling is open to those of all faith traditions and is focused on the spiritual path as identified by the individual. This distinguishes it from Christian Counseling, which starts with a particular faith system. Pastoral Counseling is not imposed on anyone, but is an additional approach for those requesting it.
What if I don’t believe in God? What if my faith is different than the therapist’s?
Belief in God or a particular faith system is not required for therapy or Pastoral Counseling. All clients begin with psychotherapy. Pastoral Counseling is only added for those who request that additional layer to the process. The therapy process may still address one’s values and ethics when related to particular goals, but it does not impose a belief system on the individual. It uses the belief system identified by the client and works within that system.
What is the cost?
Every effort is made to provide affordable therapy services to those who want them. For that reason, fees are set at a reasonable rate and raised only as needed. A limited number of reduced-fee sessions are available for short term therapy for clients demonstrating financial need. Payment is expected at each session. If one cannot afford therapy, then referrals can be given to agencies that provide counseling for low-income clients.
Can I use my insurance? What insurance do you accept?
Currently, there are in-network contracts with the following PPO providers: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois, Cigna, and United Behavioral Healthcare. Please contact your benefits provider to confirm your eligibility and/or precertification before your intake appointment. If you do not have one of the above listed insurance companies and your health insurance allows for out-of-network providers, contact them to confirm those requirements.
What is the affiliation/relationship with North Shore Baptist Church?
North Shore Baptist Church has a long-standing commitment to hosting counseling services for its members and the wider community. The counseling services and other programs that are offered through Caravan Counseling are independently offered as a resource to NSBC and the larger community. In other words, we work together for certain programs, but counseling is separate and independent of the church. The church does not pay a salary to the therapist and fees do not go to the church.