Review of The Dove Center, Inc.

The Dove Center was established as a Christian Counseling Center, in 1986 . The Dove Center's goal was to provide professional Christian Counseling from a balanced Biblically-Based, and faith-based standard. This started as a traditional in-office hourly Christian Counseling format and has broadened over the years to include Christian Counseling which is done using a variety of different techniques, including Phone Counseling (or Phone Therapy), Christian Therapeutic Vacations (or LRP-Life Restoration-Programs), also known as Intensive Counseling and the newest addition is distance counseling: E-Mail counseling. They are now examining the possibility of setting up pseudo- offices where clients can speak with a Counselor via high-speed, internet connections using audio-video equipment.

In all of this, one of the main thrusts of The Dove Center is to provide a low-cost alternative for professional Counseling, for members of the larger community which may have either inadequate or no mental health insurance coverage. It is appropriate that an organization fully focused on the teachings of Jesus Christ, should attempt to provide this loving Christian Counseling to those in need at a fraction of the cost of traditional secular sources for counseling services. To view fee structures, click here.

Therapeutic Vacations and Life Restoration

It became apparent several years ago to the Therapists of The Dove Center, and to other Professional Psychotherapist in the Counseling world that the weekly-session-approach, had major draw backs. The most evident of which was the loss of "flow" that occurred when you stopped the counseling session short just when the person was getting to feel comfortable with sharing the deepest parts of themselves. Then, the next session was largely spent trying to get that "flow" back. This took lots of extra-time, time which the client ultimately paid extra. This meant, that it may take a up to one year to get any positive measure of relief for the condition for which the client came to get help. Through this, the Therapeutic Vacation or Life Restoration idea was birthed, that if a person could take a one-to-two week vacation from their work schedule and could intensely work on the problem for up to 6 hours per day then the duration of healing could be greatly reduced.

In 1999, the first Therapeutic Vacation site was opened in Perdido Key, Florida. It was called Dove Shores. Located on the white-sand beaches of the Gulf Coast, the approach was called Life Restoration Program or LRP for short. It was a great success. Counselors and Clients both liked the format. The Clients felt more cared for and attended for and the Counselors got to see almost immediate change in perceptions and improvements of the Client. To see specific information, click here.

For Pastors, Clergy, Missionaries and Christian Workers

The Therapeutic Vacation Approach has especially been successful for members of the Clergy. Because of The Dove Center's focus on complete anonymity Pastors feel completely secure in coming to the site to work on problems that would potentially destroy their lives and their ministries.

The Major Components of the Program

Intensive one-on-one counseling, usually 3 hours per day
Extensive self-introspection ("homework") test/materials
Seclusion from "regular daily grind" (byop- if you need one, you must bring your own phone)
Time for Spiritual Study and Prayer
Play - Having a good time!

Phone Counseling
(Phone Therapy)

Phone counseling or Phone Therapy has proven to be the most cost-effective and well-received program ever offered by The Dove Center. Clients and Counselors like the benefits of the program. Clients like the increased anonymity of a voice-only format; Counselors like the ability to relax in their favorite chair anywhere they choose and help their clients at the same time. Phone Counseling requires no office, utilities or upkeep, therefore it is less expensive. While some Clients prefer face-to-face interaction, those who like phone counseling-love phone counseling. To more info, click here.

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