FAQ - Questions Answered!
What is a Help[H]er?
Help[H]ers are crises trained and trauma informed, biblical and/or licensed counselors who advocate for women in crisis in Christian organizations. They accomplish this goal in two different ways: Directly and Indirectly.
Directly:
- A Help[H]er will come alongside a woman in crisis for short-term consultation (hourly) or long-term care (to be determined by Help[H]er and care recipient). The Help[H]er will meet with a woman in person (when available) or via Zoom, listen to her story, encourage, educate, and suggest resources (counselors, when available/reading, relevant assessments, podcasts, blogs, etc.) In a long-term relationship, the Help[H]er may additionally assist by attending ecclesiastical meetings associated with the woman’s care (with or without the woman) and/or represent her interests; educate, advise, or resource team caregivers.
- A Help[H]er may also advocate for a woman by consulting with those responsible for her care (lay leaders, counselors, and/or organization leadership). Please Note: Whether a Help[H]er works with the woman in crisis or her care-provider team, the Help[H]er is strictly the woman’s advocate.
- A Help[H]er may advocate more generally by consulting with lay leaders, counselors, and/or organization leadership short term (hourly) or in a Ministry Partnership Agreement (to be determined by Help[H]er and organization) for the purpose of advising best practices for a crisis situation.
Indirectly:
- Help[H]ers develop resources and training materials. A Help[H]er at this level has seminary or graduate school training and multiple years of caregiving experience.
What does the Help[H]er ministry do?
Help[H]er exists to develop and provide resources for those who care for women in crisis in religious institutions. We accomplish our goal by offering Training, Resourcing, and Care.
Training:
Some of our offerings include,
Onsite Training
- Structure a Help[H]er Ministry in the local Christian organization context (Women to Women care)
Continuing education for care-providers via [H]Institute
- Storywork
- Dynamics of Abuse (Domestic)
- Dynamics of Abuse (Clergy Sexual)
- Dynamics of Abuse (Adult Sexual)
- Dynamics of Abuse (Spiritual)
- Trauma Informed Care
- Specific Crisis Care (Depression, Anxiety, Grief, etc.) for Ministry Partner Christian organization based Help[H]er advocates.
Resources:
Develop
- Safe to Hope Podcast
- [H]ub Publications
- Academic Journal
- Popular level Christian Living
- Memoir
- Voices blog
Provide (for ministry partners*)
- Network of partner industry related services (note: Help[H]er does not recommend legal representatives)
- Network of partner counseling centers (biblical)
- Network of partner licensed practitioners (where available)
- Network of partner industry related services
Care:
For women in crisis
- Consultation with Victims and Survivors
- Longterm consultation with Victims and Survivors
- Ecclesiastical Process Advocacy
- Support Group – Victim/Survivor
For care-providers
- Consultation with Pastors, Sessions, Leadership, Counselors, Lay Leaders
- Ministry Partnership Care Agreement (tbd longterm consultation) with Pastors, Sessions,
Leadership, Counselors, Lay Leaders - Advise on Commissions and Committees (Presbyterian government structure)
- Help[H]er Advocate retreat
- Support Group – Care Provider
What is a Help[H]er Ministry Partner?
Help[H]er Ministry Partners are organizations or individuals who believe in the Help[H]er mission and vision and desire to financially support our ongoing ministry. Ministry Partners enjoy:
- Early release resources in digital format
- Early podcast release
- Bi annual brainstorming cohort for future projects, eval current offerings
- Discount on products
- Discount on [H]Institute courses
- Discount on consultations
Is the information I share with Help[H]er confidential?
Help[H]er Code of Confidentiality
Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: verbal, written, phone, electronic, internet, or web-based communications arising from the relationship. All Help[H]er Advocates are expected to protect the information they receive.
The information shared with us will not be discussed without the Care Recipient’s knowledge and permission. However, while confidentiality is important, it is not absolute. We assume that those seeking our help do so because they trust our judgment. The practice of confidentiality is governed by that same judgment. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary to reveal information obtained in this process in order to uphold the principles of Scripture, the laws of the state of_____________________. (Name of state in which Care Recipient resides)
Situations wherein it may become necessary to reveal otherwise confidential information include, but are not limited to:
- Where a Care Recipient threatens to harm herself or another person it may become necessary to notify the proper legal authorities and/or intended victim. If such person makes threats in the context of a meeting, the Help[H]er Advocate, upon receiving the information, may need to notify the authorities.
- If a Help[H]er Advocate is privy to evidence that a crime is about to be committed, it may be necessary to reveal such to the legal authorities. We respect an individual’s agency in decisions about their situation and will work together toward the safety of all involved.
- If the Help[H]er Advocate suspects that a minor child has been physically or sexually abused, the Help[H]er Advocate, as a mandatory reporter, will immediately contact the local legal authorities.
- A Help[H]er Advocate, uncertain as to how a particular issue should be addressed, may reveal necessary information to and seek assistance from an expert in the field of abuse and/or trauma. The Help[H]er Advocate will inform the Care Recipient of the likelihood of this possibility prior to seeking assistance and require a signed ROI.
Please contact admin@helpher.help to view the full version of our Confidentiality Statement.
Is Help[H]er associated with any church denominations?
Help[H]er is a stand alone 501c3 ministry with its own board of directors. While our expertise in ecclesiastical matters is with the Presbyterian Church of America and a variety of other NAPARC churches we are not associated with any denomination in any way.
What if I suspect abuse?
If you suspect yourself or anyone else might be in any danger, please immediately call 911.
Whether you suspect you are being abused, or witness someone in a suspicious situation, do not dismiss this awareness. You can inform yourself with is the book: by Help[H]er Board member, Darby Strickland.
You can also familiarize yourself with our Resources.
Does Help[H]er train advocates?
Help[H]er does not offer training for persons interested in advocacy work. We refer to Called to Peace Ministries excellent, faith-based, virtual, advocacy training. For local training programs, search for city, county, or state resources. For example, see here.
Does Help[H]er offer training or continuing education courses?
Yes!
The [H] Institute is one of the Help[H]er initiatives offering online, continuing education for leaders in Christian organizations to be better equipped to care for women in crisis. Our curriculum is created and developed by seminary-trained instructors and taught by experts with many years of experience in the counseling and equipping context. Our course structure provides teaching as well as student interactions.
Help[H]er’s continuing education hours are available to supplement practical and theological understanding for lay, pastoral, biblical counseling care providers in the [H] Institute. [H] Institute courses are available live and digitally (when available) for self-paced work. Help[H]er CEU’s are not accredited for licensed professionals, however we welcome all care providers to participate in our coursework.
Help[H]er offers generalized training for Ministry Partner Christian organization based Help[H]er advocates.
What do you believe are basic tenets of the Christian faith?
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, only infallible, and complete inerrant, authoritative Word of God.
- We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to lead a Godly life.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
- We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
- We believe that Jesus Christ will come again at any time.
How can I contribute financially?
Your much appreciated financial support can be contributed online or mail in check. Please see our Give page for details.
Help[H]er is a nonprofit – 501c3 providing you with a tax receipt.
What's the difference between Help[H]er's advocacy consultations and counseling?
Generally, Help[H]er’s advocacy consultations are focused on navigating the present, external situation while counseling processes internal post-trauma.
Can I speak directly with a Help[H]er for information about receiving care?
Help[H]ers are available for consultations to individuals, couples and Christian organizations. Availability depends on the capacity of our Help[H]ers. To request a consultation, see the “Care” tab on our menu and select the option most applicable to your situation. Be sure to fill out an intake form. All conversations are guided by our confidentiality terms, and as with any professional consultation, there is a fee. If this fee prevents you from seeking care, please let us know. Contact Abby at admin@helpher.help.
How do I request an advocate?
Please visit our Care page here.
(Due to our commitment for client confidentiality, we are unable to process requests for an advocate via “Connect” page.
What does a Help[H]er do?
A Help[H]er walks alongside a woman in crisis as she navigates both traumatic circumstances (abuses) and subsequent responses (by her Christian organization). The following are common areas of consultation.
Dynamics and Process of Reporting
Personal Responses and Practical Options
Responses from Church Leadership
Church Court
Presbytery Court
Standing Judicial Committee
Assistance with documentation/prep for process
While many Help[H]ers are counselors, their participation in a case is not post-trauma processing. Help[H]ers may suggest pros and cons for specific choices, however Help[H]ers fully support the client’s decisions. The dignity of those we help is a primary concern.
Does Help[H]er offer counseling?
Help[H]ers are qualified biblical counselors trained in abuse and trauma, however the ministry focus is advocacy for women in crisis. We do not offer post-trauma counseling to process what has happened.
We recommend connecting with
All offer virtual or onsite (when available) care. Please also consider looking for a licensed, trained professional in your location. When looking for counseling care, see these articles: Vetting A Biblical Counselor and Questions To Ask.
Do you offer remote advocacy and consultation?
Yes! Our clients reside in a variety of locations across the United States and several overseas locations. Virtual visits are over Zoom. You can visit our Care page here.
Give financially:
Give to Help[H]er towards
- Development and maintenance
Scholarship towards Advocacy Training for churches
Scholarship for [H] Institute tuition
Sponsor a woman in crisis
We sincerely appreciate your consideration. For details see our Give page here.
Spread awareness:
Purchase books or give on Substack:
Subscribe on Substack!
Purchase from our Reading Room book list! We are pleased to utilize affiliate links. Every purchase made through these links directly supports Help[H]er by a small commission from Amazon.
Can I serve on the Help[H]er team?
It can be healing and a joy to serve in a ministry that is meaningful to you. We welcome conversations regarding HH volunteer positions.
Does Help[H]er offer Virtual Training?
Yes!
Help[H]er qualified trainers provide virtual training on a variety of topics. If a Ministry Partner would like more information, a Help[H]er representative will be happy to help determine your needs and goals. Simply get in touch on our Connect link here.
Do you have resources for leaders?
Yes! We are pleased to offer a category in our Reading Room dedicated to leaders. We are pleased to utilize affiliate links. Every purchase made through these links directly supports Help[H]er by a small commission from Amazon.
