ARTICLES FROM OUR COUNSELORS
Things worth knowing, tenderly from us
Notes from the Thrive team on trauma, relationships, parenting, and faith. Written for the people we sit with, not for other counselors.
Some of it is practical, the kind of thing you might try this week. Some of it is just naming what a lot of families are carrying quietly. All of it comes from the conversations that happen in our offices every day.
Compassion: We are committed to providing a safe, understanding, and caring space for every individual.
Holistic Approach: We prioritize mental, emotional, and physical well-being, understanding that they are all interconnected.
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Wisdom curated just for you
Explore our faqs or reach out to understand how our financial guidance works.
Is Counseling Confidential? What Christian Clients Want to Know
Yes, counseling is confidential. At Thrive Counseling Services in Dallas, what you share in session stays between you and your counselor. Thrive does not contact your pastor, church, employer, or family without your written permission. Texas law sets a few narrow exceptions, mainly to protect someone from serious harm, and your counselor will explain them before you begin.
For many people of faith, the fear is not only about privacy in general. It is a quieter, more specific worry. What if someone at church finds out? What if my pastor hears about it, or my small group, or my family? That worry keeps a lot of people from getting help they need. This post answers it as plainly as we can.
Thrive Counseling Services is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing professional, faith-based Christian counseling in Dallas, Texas. Our counselors are Licensed Professional Counselors and LPC Associates in Texas, and they are bound by state law and professional ethics to protect your privacy.
Will my pastor or church find out I'm in counseling?
No, not from us. Thrive will not tell your pastor, your church, or anyone in your congregation that you are a client unless you give written permission. This is true even if your pastor is the one who referred you to Thrive. A referral does not mean we report back.
Some clients do want their pastor involved, and that can be a real source of support. If that is what you want, you can sign a release that says exactly what may be shared and with whom. You can also change your mind and withdraw that permission later.
What are the limits of confidentiality in Texas?
Confidentiality has a few narrow exceptions that every licensed counselor in Texas must follow. They exist to keep people safe, and they are the same at Thrive as at any licensed practice. A counselor may need to share information when:
There is a serious risk that you may harm yourself or someone else
A child, an elderly person, or a person with a disability may be experiencing abuse or neglect
Outside of situations like these, what you say in session stays in session. Your counselor will go over these limits with you in your first session and answer any questions, so there are no surprises later.
Does Thrive share information with insurance companies?
Only if you choose to use insurance. Some of Thrive's counselors are able to bill insurance, and when a session is billed to your plan, your insurance company receives the information it needs to process the claim, which usually includes a diagnosis. If you pay through the sliding scale instead, nothing is sent to an insurance company. Your counselor can talk through that choice with you before you decide.
How does confidentiality work in couples and family counseling?
In couples and family counseling, everyone in the room hears what is shared in that session. The same protections still apply to people outside the room. Your counselor will explain at the start how they handle anything one person shares privately, so each person knows what to expect before the work begins.
Is counseling confidential for teenagers?
Counseling for teens is confidential in most ways, but Texas law gives parents and guardians of minors certain rights to information about their child's care. Thrive counsels children and teens ages 5 through 17. At the start, your child's counselor will explain to both parent and teen what stays private and what parents may be told, so trust is protected on both sides.
Does Thrive's work with churches affect my privacy?
No. Thrive partners with churches, ministries, and Dallas-area organizations so that more people can find care. Those partnerships are about referrals and support, never about sharing client information. A partner organization does not learn who our clients are or what they discuss.
Why privacy matters in Christian counseling
Counseling only works when you can say the hard things out loud. That might be doubt about your faith, struggles in your marriage, something from your past you have never told anyone, or anger you feel guilty about. A counseling room should be a safe place for all of it. Protecting your privacy is how we keep it that way.
Quick answers about counseling privacy
Is Christian counseling confidential? Yes. Christian counseling at Thrive Counseling Services follows the same confidentiality laws and ethics as any licensed counseling practice in Texas. A faith-based approach does not change what is kept private.
Can my counselor tell my spouse what I said? No. In individual counseling, your counselor will not share what you say with your spouse without your written permission, except in the narrow situations Texas law requires, such as a serious risk of harm.
Will my employer know I am in counseling? No. Thrive does not contact employers. If you use an employer-sponsored health plan, claims go to the insurance company, which is required by federal law to protect your health information. Paying through the sliding scale keeps insurance out of it entirely.
When will I learn the limits of confidentiality? Your counselor reviews the limits of confidentiality with you in your first session at Thrive, before you share anything personal, and will answer any questions you have about them.
Have a Question About Privacy Before You Start?
Whatever brought you to this page, it matters. Thrive's counselors are ready to walk with you toward a healthier season of life, with affordable options for your family.
Call (214) 233-6853, or send us a message. We'll take it from there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions, Answered
Below are the questions we hear most often from new clients, along with a few that people quietly wonder about but hesitate to ask.
Getting Started
How do I know if I need counseling?
If something in your life feels heavier than you can carry alone, that's reason enough to reach out. People come to Thrive for many reasons: persistent anxiety, a marriage under strain, grief that won't lift, or the long shadow of past abuse or trauma. You don't need a crisis or a diagnosis to benefit from counseling. Wanting things to be different is a good enough place to start.
How do I schedule an appointment with Thrive Counseling Services?
You can schedule an appointment by calling (214) 233-6853 or by sending a message through the contact form on our website. We'll respond to help you find a counselor and a time that fit your needs. Appointments are available Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What happens in the first counseling session?
Your first session is a conversation, not an evaluation you can fail. Your counselor will ask what brought you in, listen to your story, and begin to understand your goals. Together you'll sketch a direction for your work. Many people tell us the hardest part was making the call, and that the first session felt like relief.
How many counseling sessions will I need?
There's no fixed number of sessions, and your counselor won't pretend otherwise. Some concerns respond well to a few months of weekly meetings. Recovery from long-standing trauma usually takes longer, and that's normal. Your counselor will review your progress with you regularly so the work stays purposeful, not open-ended by default.
Fees, Sliding Scale, and Payment
How much does a counseling session cost?
Counseling at Thrive costs $130 per session as of 2026. Because we're a nonprofit, we also offer a sliding scale based on family income, so cost doesn't have to be the reason you go without help. A short application and supporting documentation determine whether you qualify for a reduced fee.
What is sliding scale counseling?
Sliding scale counseling means your fee is adjusted to your financial circumstances rather than set at one flat rate. At Thrive, donations from our community cover a portion of counseling costs, which lets qualifying clients pay a reduced fee, or in some cases no fee. Our mission is that everyone in Dallas has access to professional counseling regardless of income.
Do you take insurance?
Some of our counselors are able to bill insurance. Ask us when you reach out and we'll send you a link so you can check whether your plan is accepted. If insurance isn't an option, our sliding scale is based on family income, and many clients find the fee comes out at or below a typical copay.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, and credit or debit cards. Thrive also accepts Crime Victims' Compensation, a Texas program that can cover counseling costs for victims of violent crime. If you're unsure whether you qualify for that program, ask us. We've helped many clients through the process.
Faith-Based Counseling
What is Christian counseling?
Christian counseling is professional therapy grounded in a Christian understanding of the person: that we're created for relationship with God and with one another, and that God can heal the brokenness we experience personally and relationally. It doesn't reduce psychological struggles to simple spiritual causes. Historical, cultural, biological, and emotional factors all shape our difficulties, and your counselor will take each seriously alongside your faith.
Do I have to be a Christian to receive counseling at Thrive?
No. You don't need to share our faith perspective to receive counseling at Thrive, and you'll never be pressured to adopt it. Some clients want Scripture and prayer woven into their sessions. Others prefer that faith stay in the background entirely. You set that dial, and your counselor will respect it.
How is faith-based counseling different from regular counseling?
Faith-based counseling uses the same evidence-based methods you'd find in any licensed practice, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and trauma-informed approaches. The difference is that your counselor is also trained to engage the spiritual dimension of your life when you want that. At Thrive, you may choose a counselor with a Biblical theology background who can integrate faith into the work at whatever depth feels right to you.
Are your counselors licensed?
Yes. Thrive's counselors are Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and LPC Associates practicing under board-approved supervision in Texas. Our team holds graduate degrees from programs including Wheaton College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas A&M-Commerce, and Lubbock Christian University, with additional credentials in clinical supervision, social work, and chemical dependency counseling.
Trauma-Informed Care
What is trauma-informed counseling?
Trauma-informed counseling starts from the understanding that trauma and abuse can have long-lasting effects on a person's mind, body, and relationships, and that healing requires safety first. At Thrive, that means your counselor works at your pace to establish safety, rebuild your sense of personal control, and support healthy choices. We treat symptoms like flashbacks, dissociation, and post-traumatic stress with care rather than alarm.
Do you counsel survivors of human trafficking or sexual abuse?
Yes. Counseling for survivors of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and sexual abuse is one of Thrive's core specialties. We also partner with Dallas-area organizations including Refuge City, Alive At Last, Exodus Ministries, and The Poiema Foundation to connect survivors with housing, restoration programs, and support beyond the counseling room.
Common Questions About Counseling
Is counseling confidential?
Yes. What you share in session stays between you and your counselor, with narrow exceptions required by Texas law, such as a serious risk of harm to yourself or others, or suspected abuse of a child, elderly person, or person with a disability. Your counselor will review these limits with you plainly before you begin, so there are no surprises.
What's the difference between a counselor, a psychologist, and a psychiatrist?
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) holds a master's degree and provides talk therapy. A psychologist typically holds a doctorate and may offer psychological testing in addition to therapy. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. Thrive's team is made up of LPCs and supervised LPC Associates, and when medication may help, we coordinate with your physician or a psychiatrist.
Why choose a nonprofit counseling center?
A nonprofit counseling center exists to serve its community rather than a bottom line. Thrive Counseling Services is a 501(c)(3) organization, which means donations directly reduce what clients pay and fund free programs like Thrive Family. It also means our counselors serve people that traditional private practices often can't reach, including uninsured families, survivors of exploitation, and formerly incarcerated parents rebuilding their lives.
Counseling for Couples, Families, and Children
What ages of children do you work with?
Thrive provides counseling for children and teens ages 5 through 17. Our team includes a counselor trained in play therapy, which helps younger children express what they can't yet put into words, as well as counselors experienced with adolescents facing anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavioral struggles.
What is the Thrive Family Program?
The Thrive Family Program is a free 10-week program that strengthens family relationships for parents and children ages 8 to 17. Families learn practical skills for communication, working through conflict, and managing big emotions, including tough situations like reunification after a separation. The program serves families facing real barriers, including CPS involvement, probation or parole, low income, mental health diagnoses, or substance abuse.
Self-Care Tips and Coping Strategies:
Enhancing Your Well-being
(Mindfulness, Meditation & Stress Management)
Mindfulness practices help you stay grounded, reduce stress, and improve emotional resilience. Techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, and mindfulness walks promote a calm, focused mind.
(The Role of Physical Activity in Mental Health)
Regular physical activity can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance mental well-being. Incorporating exercises like walking, yoga, or stretching into your routine can help manage stress.
(Building Strong Social Connections and Support Networks)
Positive social connections play a vital role in mental health. Maintaining relationships with friends, family, or support groups helps combat loneliness and fosters emotional resilience.
(Sleep and Restorative Practices for Well-being)
Quality sleep is essential for mental health. Developing healthy sleep habits, such as creating a calming bedtime routine, limiting screen time, and managing stress, can improve mood and energy.
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Whatever brought you to this page, it matters.
Thrive's counselors are ready to walk with you toward a healthier season of life, with affordable options for your family.
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4040 N Central Expressway Suite 670 Dallas, TX 75204
1151 N Buckner Blvd Suite 101 Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 233-6853
© 2026 Thrive Counseling Services. All rights reserved.
Thrive Counseling Services is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible where allowed by law. EIN 83-0882008.