Biblical Counseling Boundaries & What You Can Expect

Jenn is certified through the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) — a respected national organization committed to equipping Christian counselors, pastors, and lay leaders with a Scripture-centered approach to counseling and soul care.
ABC’s training is grounded in biblical theology, practical discipleship, and Christ-centered restoration. Their certification process includes extensive coursework, theological study, case review, ethics training, and supervised mentorship.

ABC is one of the leading Biblical counseling organizations in the United States, and their mission is simple:
to help people find hope, healing, and transformation through the truth of God’s Word.

To honor biblical wisdom, personal safety, and professional integrity, Jenn upholds the same boundaries followed by ABC and nearly all Biblical counseling organizations:

Jenn provides counseling for:

• Women one-on-one
• Married couples together
• Teen girls (depending on the situation)
   

Jenn does not provide one-on-one counseling for men.
Men are referred to a qualified male counselor or pastor. She may counsel a man only if his spouse is present for couples counseling.

This boundary isn’t about distrust — it is about wisdom, purity, clarity, and accountability.

Scripture teaches us to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), flee temptation (1 Thessalonians 4:3–7), be above reproach (1 Timothy 3:2), avoid even the appearance of impropriety (1 Peter 2:12), and seek wise counsel and accountability (Proverbs 11:14). Emotional intimacy can form quickly in counseling relationships, and maintaining same-gender counseling prevents confusion, protects marriages, safeguards reputations, and keeps the process honoring to God. These principles have been upheld for generations within Biblical counseling because they create a safe, transparent, and trustworthy environment for everyone involved. 

Biblical Counseling is pastoral soul care, not clinical mental health treatment.
Jenn does not:

• Diagnose psychological disorders
• Prescribe or adjust medication
• Replace professional or medical treatment
• Handle situations involving danger to self or others
   

In these cases, she partners with pastors, clinicians, physicians, or mental health professionals as appropriate.

Biblical Counseling does address:

• Emotional struggles
• Spiritual battles
• Sin patterns
• Identity and purpose
• Marriage and relational issues
• Anxiety and fear through Scripture
• Grief, forgiveness, bitterness, and healing of the heart
   

It focuses on transformation through the truth of God’s Word, the power of the Holy Spirit, and discipleship-driven life change.

Jenn maintains strict confidentiality with all counselees.
However, confidentiality cannot be maintained when:

• There is intent to harm oneself or others
• Abuse is disclosed
• Crimes or active danger are involved
• Pastors or church leadership must be notified for safety or accountability
   

These guidelines protect both the counselee and the counselor.

Biblical counseling only works when a person is willing to:

• Look honestly at Scripture
• Participate in reflection and growth
• Apply biblical principles to real life
• Be accountable
• Pray, journal, and engage actively in the process
   

 This is why Jenn begins with a short Biblical Counseling Inquiry Form — to make sure Biblical Counseling is the right fit and to help her understand how to best support you from the very beginning.