Common Questions
FAQ
What is a counseling and care retreat?
All Alongside retreats are staffed by mental health professionals and are designed to provide care for a broad range of needs. Most programs include a combination of personal counseling, group counseling and growth-oriented seminars. Our staff have a depth of experience in both domestic and international ministry.
Our retreats are held in a beautiful, peaceful residential setting. This immersive format minimizes distractions and gives us space to address your whole person: physical, emotional, relational and spiritual.
We also encourage you to unplug during your retreat. Set an “out of office reply” on your email and equip others to take care of ministry needs while you are away. To help you get the most out of your time, Wi-Fi access is limited to certain parts of the campus.
What type of counseling does Alongside do?
Why is the Renewal and Growth Retreat 3 weeks long?
We know 3 weeks is a big commitment. And the reality is, our Renewal and Growth retreat is significantly longer than many other pastoral care ministries. Deep recovery, renewal, and growth takes time. We’ve consistently found 3 weeks to be just the right amount of time for this process.
During these 3 weeks, you will have 13 individual / couple’s counseling sessions, 14 group counseling sessions and 26 seminars. This led one participant to describe his stay at Alongside as “thorough and comprehensive; no stone was left unturned!”
What does a typical day look like during a Renewal and Growth Retreat?
Our Renewal and Growth Retreat usually occupies about 4-5 hours a day, Monday – Friday. This leaves plenty of space in the schedule so you can breathe, reflect, and spend time with the Lord.
A typical weekday schedule looks like:
Morning:
- Devotional (15 minutes)
- Seminar (one hour followed by a brief break)
- Seminar (one hour followed by a brief break)
- Small group (one hour followed by lunch break)
Afternoon:
- Personal counseling (up to one hour)
What happens after I submit my application for a retreat?
Once your application has been submitted, our clinical registrar will review it. If they need additional information, they will reach out to you via email to schedule a remote meeting.
After your application is approved, we will begin registering you for the retreat date you requested.
If there is an overlap concern, we will contact both participants before finalizing registration.
If the retreat date you requested is already full, we will add you to the waitlist and notify you via email. If you indicated an alternative program date, you will be registered for that program and placed on the waitlist for your first choice.
Once your registration is complete, you will receive an acceptance email. A non-refundable deposit will be due within 30 days of receiving that email.
You can expect to hear from us within 1–2 weeks after submitting your application.
Does Alongside provide meals?
While meals are not provided, we want to ensure you have everything you need for meal preparation. Each suite includes a full-size refrigerator with freezer and ice maker, a stove or cooktop, microwave, cookware, cooking utensils, and tableware—everything you need to prepare meals that suit your needs and preferences. Many participants find that preparing and sharing meals with others in the program enhances their experience. Grocery stores are easily accessible in under 10 minutes.
What if I have food allergies or medical dietary restrictions?
For your safety during any meals that are provided (such as orientation dinner or group events), please let us know about any food allergies or medically necessary dietary restrictions (for example: peanut allergy, gluten intolerance, celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or diabetes-related restrictions).
Please note: we are unable to accommodate personal dietary preferences or lifestyle diets.
To share your information, please email us at office@alongsidecares.net before your arrival.
Who else will be at a Renewal and Growth Retreat with me?
There will be a combination of missionaries, pastors and ministry leaders at your retreat. We have a maximum limit of 12 suites (individuals, couples and families with children). This limited number provides a positive balance of personal attention and community.
We strongly encourage spouses and families to attend Alongside together so that you can strengthen your relationship as you find hope and healing together.
We work hard to avoid any overlap at our retreats. That’s why we consider your ministry affiliation, denomination, sending organization and country of service.
Does Alongside accept insurance?
No, Alongside does not submit to insurance companies directly. For most of our retreats, we can provide you with a superbill for clinical services at the end of your retreat, once all balances are paid. You can submit this to your insurance company for reimbursement. Your insurance might reimburse you for individual or group counseling services. Or they might count the amount toward your deductible.
You will need to contact your insurance company directly and ask them what they will cover for out-of-network mental health care (or sometimes they use the phrase “behavioral health”).
Is counseling available for children and teens?
Yes, counseling services are available for kids and teens by request and for an additional fee per counseling session.
In our kids and teen programs, younger participants learn and explore the same content as their parents – themes like loss, grief, transition, being a ministry kid, stress, resilience, anxiety, conflict, emotions and adversity. Although the kids and teen programs could be considered therapeutic in nature, they are not counseling.
Any counseling services provided to kids and teens will be billed separately from their program tuition. Sessions are also subject to the availability of the child and teen counselor.
If you are interested in counseling for a child or teen, please indicate this on your application. Our Child, Adolescent and Family Counselor will contact you 1-2 weeks before your retreat to develop a care plan for your family while you are at Alongside.
When should I arrive for my Renewal and Growth Retreat?
Flourishing in ministry is possible.
At Alongside, you’ll find the care and support you need to continue living out your calling with passion. You’ll be equipped to reconnect with the people who matter most. And instead of being stuck in survival mode, you’ll grow in your health, joy and effectiveness as you learn how to move forward with hope.