Marriage counseling at Covington-McGee Wedding & Christian Counseling (Arizona Covenant Christian Counseling ) is designed to move couples beyond "getting by" and into a thriving, Christ-centered covenant. Dr. McGee uses a biblical framework to help couples resolve conflict and rebuild intimacy.

Under Texas law, ordained ministers, priests, rabbis, and recognized religious practitioners are legally exempt from state licensing requirements when providing marriage and pastoral counseling. While local regulations in Bexar County mirror these state exemptions, pastors must operate within specific legal boundaries to maintain their exempt status and protect themselves from liability.

 

Legal Rules for Pastors in Arizona

• Clergy-Penitent Privilege: Arizona law protects communications made in confidence by a person seeking spiritual absolution or guidance to a clergy member acting in a spiritual capacity. 

• Mandatory Reporting Exemption: Pastors are exempt from Arizona’s mandatory child abuse reporting requirements only when the damaging information is revealed strictly during a protected religious confession or penance. 

• Church Definition: The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that a church's own religious doctrine defines what qualifies as a confidential confession or internal proceeding, rather than outside civil courts. 

 

Confidentiality and Legal Privilege

• Clergy-Penitent Privilege: Under Texas Rules of Evidence 505, communications made to a pastor during a spiritual or marriage counseling session are legally privileged and protected from disclosure in court. 
  
  In Arizona, pastors do not need a state license to provide pastoral or marriage counseling, and their confidential communications are protected by clergy privilege. 
  

 

                            The "Covenant" Approach

Unlike secular therapy that often focuses on individual happiness, this approach prioritizes the sanctity of the union.

• Biblical Foundation: Using Scripture to define roles, responsibilities, and the nature of love.
• Conflict Resolution: Learning to fight fair and forgive using the "Grace-Centered" model.
• Communication Tools: Practical exercises to move from "talking at" each other to truly "hearing" each other.
• Intimacy Restoration: Rebuilding trust after infidelity, neglect, or long-term emotional distance.

 

              Pre-marital Counseling / Twogether In Texas 

 As an approved Twogether in Texas provider, Dr. McGee offers specialized tracks for newer couples:

 

• Foundation Building: Exploring financial management, family boundaries, and spiritual goals.
• License Discount: Completing the course provides a certificate to save on your Texas marriage license fee.
• Early Intervention: Addressing "red flags" before they become ingrained habit

 

 

                     Suicide Hotline:

“If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.”

At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.

Each year in Texas, about 2,800 people commit suicide.

That averages to around eight often-preventable deaths

each day in the Lone Star State. Although there is no

defined path to suicide, common prime indicators include

depression and substance abuse. 

Key Suicide Statistics in Arizona

• Overall Rate: The age-adjusted rate is roughly 19 people per 100,000 population.

• By Age: Adults aged 45 to 64 and older adults (85 and older) experience the highest overall rates, while suicide is one of the leading causes of death for younger Arizonans aged 10 to 34.

• By Gender: Males die by suicide at a rate roughly three times higher than females.

• Rural vs. Urban: Rural counties in Arizona experience significantly higher rates—sometimes nearly double—compared to urban centers.

• Means: Firearms are involved in over 60% of suicide deaths in the state.

 

If you are concerned that someone you know may take his life,

please call 911 or contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.

 

 

Give him/ her an opportunity to talk about

what is going on and let him know that you are listening

and that you care.” Then, help that person find an appro-

priate resource. If suicide seems imminent, this may mean

calling 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline. 

 

                                         https://988lifeline.org/

 

           

 

                Help is available

                             Speak with someone today

National Human Trafficking Hotline

                       tel:1-888-373-7888

Texas human trafficking laws classify trafficking for labor or sex as severe offenses, carrying automatic first-degree felony penalties, life imprisonment possibilities, and specific legal protections for victims. Governed primarily under Texas Penal Code § 20A.02, the state enforces strict measures against exploitation. 

Offense Classifications and Penalties

• First-Degree Felony: All human trafficking offenses in Texas are categorized as automatic first-degree felonies, punishable by 25 to 99 years or life in prison. 
  
  
• No Parole for Vulnerable Victims: Convictions involving the trafficking of children or disabled individuals carry sentences where parole is completely eliminated.

No Movement Required: Prosecution does not require proof that the victim was physically transported or moved across locations.

Victim Protections

• Affirmative Defense: State law provides an affirmative legal defense for trafficking victims forced into committing certain non-violent crimes (such as prostitution) under a trafficker's coercion, force, or fraud.
• Focus on Traffickers: This protection shifts criminal liability away from exploited victims and places the legal focus squarely on criminal operators.

Reporting and Resources

• If you suspect human trafficking, contact local law enforcement or the Office of the Attorney General to report details and connect survivors with safety resources.

                    https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en

 

Human trafficking is a severe felony under Arizona law, defined as knowingly enticing, recruiting, harboring, providing, or obtaining a person through force, fraud, or coercion for labor or sexual exploitation.

Key Legal Definitions and Statutes

• General Trafficking & Forced Labor (A.R.S. § 13-1308): It is illegal to traffic someone knowing they will face forced labor/services, or to financially benefit from a trafficking venture. Methods of force or coercion include withholding identification documents, threatening legal abuse, or causing physical/financial harm.

Classification and Penalties: Human trafficking offenses are typically prosecuted as high-level felonies (such as Class 2 felonies), carrying lengthy mandatory prison sentences without the eligibility for early release, probation, or suspension of sentence.

 

Child Sex Trafficking: Arizona enforces strict penalties for trafficking minors, including long mandatory prison terms. Recent legislative adjustments also address specific recruitment circumstances for minors under 18.

Relief for Victims: The law provides mechanisms to seal criminal records for individuals who were compelled into prostitution as direct victims of trafficking, acknowledging their status as survivors rather than criminals.

Penalties for Buyers (HB 2720): Arizona elevated the penalty for paying for or soliciting sex from a misdemeanor to a Class 6 felony, implementing a mandatory $200 fine directed toward anti-trafficking grant funds.

Civil Rights to Sue (A.R.S. § 12-722): Survivors of sex trafficking in Arizona have the right to file civil lawsuits for damages against their traffickers or any entities that knowingly benefited from the trafficking enterprise.