An advocate is a friend from back home who sits through the entire counseling process and then returns home to help you live out what you learned.

In our experience, the presence of an advocate drastically improves the success of what takes place in counseling and after. Many times, those in crisis have been isolated from the community. Advocates help to bring them back into a healthy, biblical community. They care for you deeply and will be a friend, guide, and encouragement through your toughest days.

First, pray and ask the Lord to help you identify someone who can serve as your advocate. Consider same-sex people in your life who are mature Christians who love God’s Word, love you, and can meet with you regularly (ideally in person, but virtually can also work). Your parent cannot be your advocate and neither can your spouse.

Second, talk to your church leaders and ask them to help you identify people in the church who fit the above criteria. 

Third, continue to pray and trust the Lord’s timing to provide you an advocate. It is vitally important that you have someone join you for your counseling retreat (Proverbs 18:1; Galatians 6:2).

We would encourage you to talk to your local church. They are a great support system and will often offset some of the cost. Twelve Stone also has some benevolence funds available for people who qualify. Please give us a call to learn more about our financial assistance.

While you may need to wait several weeks to attend a retreat – three to six weeks is typical. We are happy to arrange for you to speak with your counselor who can provide you guidance to help bridge the gap until you can come to TS. Once you schedule your retreat, please reach out to us to arrange this phone call if that is something you desire.

We are a biblical counseling ministry that seeks to provide compassionate and Christ-centered counseling.

Once dates have been confirmed, we will send out an invoice that can be paid online via credit card or automatic bank draft. Full payment is due 30 days before the first day of the scheduled counseling dates. For more detailed information, please view our financial policy page.

Schedule

Days 1 & 2:

• Before 9:00 am: Breakfast (in cabin; on your own)
• 9:00 am–12:30 pm: Prayer and counseling
• 12:30–2:00 pm: Lunch and break
• 2:00–5:00 pm: Counseling
• 5:00–7:00 pm: Dinner (on your own)

Day 3

• 9:00 am–12:00 or 1:00 pm: Counseling
• 12:00 or 1:00 pm: Depart

Evenings: Work on assignments with advocates

Food 

We provide the meals for your stay. Only the lunches will be prepared by our staff. There will be options for breakfast (eggs, bacon, oatmeal, etc.) & dinner (pasta, frozen meals, etc.).

Off-campus options are also available. Please bring your own favorite snacks and drinks. If you have special dietary restrictions, please connect with us prior to your arrival.

Lodging

You will stay in a fully furnished home (we call them cabins).

What to Pack

Pack as if you are coming to a hotel. Feel free to wear whatever you would be most comfortable in for the counseling sessions.Be sure to bring your Bible and a notebook/journal.