The 5 Things You Should Know About Christian Counseling Before Your First Session.
Not all Christian counseling is the same. This article Christian Counseling: The 5 Things You Should Know Before Your First Session is a primer on the subject. Any person who has been to counseling knows that therapists may have different levels of education and training, different areas of expertise, and various approaches to counseling. While some hold licenses and graduate degrees, some might work under the auspices of a church and be described as a “Pastoral Counselor” or the like. Some may be more focused on providing spiritual guidance and support, while others may focus on more traditional psychological counseling techniques.
Additionally, some Christian counselors may be affiliated with a specific denomination or church, while others may be more ecumenical in their approach. So, it’s important to research and choose a Christian counselor that aligns with your personal beliefs and needs. Here are some guidelines that will help you on your journey.
1. There are different types of therapy used in Christian counseling.
As Christians, living up to the ideals is challenging, and we all have moments when we need a little help and support. To that end, Christian counseling offers invaluable guidance for those who are struggling with issues such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and more. But how do you know which type of therapy is right for you? Let’s explore a few of the most common approaches to therapeutic techniques used in Christian counseling and how they can benefit you.
Note that there are many different techniques used in counseling, as a matter of fact about 400 unique approaches, but the most appropriate one for you will depend on your needs and the therapist’s Christian beliefs, training, and expertise. Some popular techniques used in Christian Counseling include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Christian Counseling:
CBT is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on challenging and changing unhelpful thought patterns, behaviors, and emotional responses. Its goal is to help people recognize their negative thoughts and feelings so that they can gain control over them. For example the root of depression might be caused by thought patterns that enable and feed the depression itself. CBT helps Christians process their thoughts and beliefs about the world at large through a safe space created by the counselor-client relationship. By understanding underlying thought patterns, Christians can better connect with their faith in meaningful ways and break negative thought patterns which enables us to love more fully as Christians.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) for Christian Counseling:
SFBT helps individuals identify and achieve specific goals by focusing on solutions rather than problems. SFBT is a short-term form of psychotherapy designed to assist individuals who are dealing with life’s challenges or transitions by helping them identify solutions rather than focusing on past events or problems. This is very forward-looking therapy. In this type of approach, clients focus on strengths rather than weaknesses while discussing potential solutions that will lead to positive change in their lives. SFBT supports Christian values such as hope and resilience while providing practical tools for self-care while walking through life’s struggles. In a related sense, the Gospel of John is very forward-looking, as is this type of therapy.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) in Christian Therapy:
IFS is based on the concept that each person has an Inner Self composed of parts or sub-personalities. These parts can be seen as aspects of our personality that come out in certain situations or in response to certain triggers—for example, protector parts may have arisen when we were young and felt threatened by someone or something. That protecting part influences adult life even though it was born out of childhood necessity. Through IFS therapy, clients explore these parts and understand their purpose. This helps the clients to gain insight into themselves and their relationship with God, others, and the world.
Mindfulness-Based Christian Therapies:
MB therapies focus on being present in the moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness therapy uses mindfulness techniques such as meditation or guided prayer practices to cultivate emotional awareness and self-acceptance to reduce stress levels and increase emotional well-being. Through this type of therapy, Christians can learn how to be present in the moment without judgment or attachment which allows them to fully experience spiritual connection without fear or worry (in other words anxiety) about what may come next. Mindfulness therapy also helps individuals develop skills for managing difficult emotions such as sadness or anger which can lead to healthier relationships within oneself and with others – including God himself in the present moment!
2. Not all Christian Counselors are the same.
Finding a qualified Christian counselor may involve a few steps:
The first step in finding the right Christian counselor is doing your research. Start by gathering information about the different counselors in your area and narrow down your list based on any criteria that are important to you. A Google search is a good starting point. Additionally, look into their professional background and qualifications so that you can get an understanding of their experience and expertise. Look for the licensing letters LPC, MFT, or a variation of those credentials (since all states are not uniform in licensure). Christian counselors may have additional certifications or credentials from organizations such as the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) or the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA). A proper license also allows the counselor to accept insurance, although some prefer direct pay or work under a pastoral-church structure.
Another great way to find out more about potential counselors is by looking at their website or blog.
Many counselors have personal websites that offer insights into who they are as professionals and what kind of counseling services they provide. Not only will this give you a better idea of whether or not this practitioner is a good fit for you, but it will also allow you to learn more about the types of techniques or approaches they use when working with clients.
Word-of-mouth is always one of the best ways to find something new, including a qualified Christian counselor. If you know someone who has gone through similar struggles as yourself and has seen success with counseling, reach out and ask them who they went to see—and why. This can be an invaluable resource since it gives you real-life insight into how a particular Christian counselor operates and how effective they were in helping someone else through their own challenges.
3. Did you know that even agnostics can benefit from Christian counseling?
Christian counseling doesn’t necessarily involve preaching or trying to convert someone to Christianity—it’s more about utilizing Biblical principles as part of the therapeutic process. The goal is to help clients achieve greater peace and clarity in their lives by focusing on developing healthier relationship dynamics and discovering spiritual truth through self-reflection.
Forgiveness as Therapeutic
One key element of Christian counseling is the idea of forgiveness. This can be helpful for agnostics because they may have difficulty forgiving themselves or those who have wronged them in some way. By looking at forgiveness from a spiritual perspective, rather than a secular view of being wronged, an agnostic may find that it helps them to gain emotional freedom and move forward with less baggage from their past weighing them down.
Another benefit for agnostics is that it offers an opportunity for deep exploration and understanding of oneself in relation to one’s belief system, if any. A Christian counselor can help guide a non-believer on this journey with thought-provoking questions, providing unbiased feedback along the way so that one can better understand beliefs without judgment or criticism. This type of exploration helps the agnostic grow personally and spiritually whether her or she identifies as religious or not. It’s clearly worth a try if the agnostic is willing to take the chance. As a matter of fact, most Christian counselors we personally know accept agnostic clients and find the challenge rewarding for both parties.
4. Look for a Christian Counselor Who has a solid Prayer Life.
A Christian counselor needs to be a man or woman of prayer for several reasons. One is that it can help the counselor maintain a strong connection to their faith and the guidance and wisdom of a higher power. This can enable the counselor to approach their work with a sense of humility and to trust in God’s plan for their client’s healing and growth.
Prayer as a Guidepost
Another reason is that being a person of prayer can help the counselor to remain grounded in their faith and to avoid becoming overwhelmed or burned out by the demands of their work. It can also help the counselor to maintain a sense of balance and perspective, as well as to find comfort and support and this is reflected in the therapist’s work. This balance and steadfast focus centers the Christian counselor on the client’s needs, rather than distractions that are often trying to intrude on therapeutic sessions.
Additionally, a counselor who is a person of prayer may be better equipped to understand and connect with clients who seek guidance and strength through their faith. They may be able to offer spiritual support and guidance in a way that is authentic and meaningful to the client. Lastly, a counselor who is a person of prayer may be more likely to approach their work with compassion and empathy, which are essential qualities in any counselor.
Thus, being a person of prayer can help a Christian counselor to maintain a strong connection to their faith, find guidance and wisdom in their work, and to provide spiritual support and guidance to their clients.
5. Know that the Bible plays a Central Role in Christian Counseling.
The Bible plays a central role in Christian counseling, as it is the foundation for the beliefs and values of the Christian faithful. Christian counselors may use biblical principles and teachings to help individuals understand and address their problems. For example, a Christian counselor may use biblical passages to help an individual overcome feelings of guilt or shame, or to gain insight into their behavior or relationships.
The Bible is an endless wellspring of insight into human nature, as well as God’s nature. This provides wonderful insight into the human condition, both in Biblical times, as well as today. In Christian Counseling we use that deep insight! The counselor will use the Bible as a tool to help the individual understand themselves and their experiences in the context of their faith. They will also help the individual apply Biblical principles to their everyday lives to help them grow and mature in their faith.
It’s important to note that not all Christian counselors use the Bible in the same way, or even to the same degree, as some may use it more extensively than others. It’s essential to communicate with your counselor and discuss how they incorporate the Bible in the counseling process and if that aligns with your beliefs and preferences.
No Conflicts Between the Bible and Modern Psychology
At New Christian Counseling we believe that biblical principles are not in conflict with modern psychological or anthropological findings. As a matter of act, if we look closely all three (Bible, psychology, and anthropology) they complement each other and that leads to depth of understanding and positive change.
Christian counseling can provide many benefits for individuals who are looking for guidance, support, and healing within the context of their faith. The use of biblical principles and teachings, solid psychology, as well as spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation, can help clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their experiences, find meaning and purpose in their struggles, and resolution through faith and practice.
by Teresa Hillenbrand, LPC and Mark Hillenbrand, Ph.D.