What is Christian counseling?

 

What does it look like to be counseled in Jesus’s name? It’s caring for others and loving people enough to lead them to restoration and healing through dependence in God. Christian counseling is biblical counseling. It’s providing counsel via the lens of the Christian faith. 

James 3:17, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

Faith-based counseling is often considered Christian mental health counseling due to its integration with the discipline of psychology. However, it surrounds the idea that we must conform to God’s will for our lives because we understand that in God’s will we find fulfillment. In God’s will we see more than the meaning of life, we find our God-given purpose. 

We all want to lead fulfilled lives. And when we desire to please God, pursuing His will is of utmost significance and place as top priority. What will this require? Your Christian counselor will utilize Christian resources to achieve healing and to promote spiritual growth. Therefore, Christian counseling will encourage you to meditate on the word of God and will guide you to prayer, and the development of your relationship God. Your Christian counselor will guide you to rely on God and the Holy Spirit as the ultimate source of wisdom.  

Colossians 2:2-3, “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have full riches, complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

The goal of a Christian counselor is not only to provide you with the resources to help you heal. But also to help unite you to the heart of God so that you may discover the hidden treasures that God has you. It’s important to consider that Christian counseling is based on the understanding that our identity is anchored in God. What does that mean? It means that if you are of God, and he is your heavenly Father then he is in control of every aspect of your life. So, amid our mess and difficult circumstances, the Christian faith pontificates that all things work for good for those who love the Lord. 

Therefore, if God is in control of our lives, then he is the ultimate source of answers, wisdom, and knowledge. In other words, our connection with God will take us to fulfillment and the wisdom to make the right decisions. And everything will ultimately work out in our favor. 

 

Proverbs 3:13, “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.”

Christian Counseling is biblical counseling, but what does this mean? Understand that Christian counseling is more than helping people find solutions to struggles and mental health issues. It’s the ability to bestow advice that ministers the word of God directly onto the spirit. There is a spiritual realm that we must acknowledge when we think about Christian counseling, which leads to the understating that underneath mental health issues exist spiritual deposits. And that is why this form of counseling requires full understanding of the following biblical concepts that support Christian counsel. 

Dependence on God. We were not created to be self-sufficient but rather to be entirely dependent on God the Father. Christian therapy will provide you with resources that include dependence in God’s wisdom found in scripture and in developing a prayer life.  

Only God possesses the ability to change someone. God’s word is the changing agent in everyone. Christian counseling does not seek to help others apply Christian principles artificially, but instead it aims to help connect people to the faith. Only God can change people, and Christian therapist seeks to help you find a transformation that derives from a relationship with God. 

Empathy factor. Romans 12:15 (NIV), “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” A clinical therapy approach is a detached counsel where people may sometimes be viewed as a species who desperately needs behavior alteration. The empathy factor and love for others isn’t present. As Christians we are called to love others as ourselves and to share our experiences through empathy and love, not only through the exchange of words in conversation. 

Discipleship. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NIV), “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf; Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Christian counseling is a subset of discipleship. It’s a targeted form of discipleship that offers help that is delivered through the infallible word of God. 

Discernment. Secular counseling seeks to tie in a person’s problem with approaches that contain human knowledge, whereas Christian counseling is guided by wisdom that is coupled with discernment. 

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Soul health and spiritual maturity cannot be separated.  Our counselors are ordained Christian ministers as well as certified and licensed Christian counselors.  We are able to help you experience freedom from shame, anxiety, depression, or marriage / relationship conflict with methods that are purely Christ-centered.  Please click on this link to learn much more about how our CHRISTIAN COUNSELING an help you become a more authentic follower of Christ, and help you find freedom from identity dependence.

Life Training offers convenient sessions at our office in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as online counseling via Zoom or FaceTime.  Our non-profit counseling practice has an outstanding track record for over a decade helping men and women, individuals and couples who are ready to move beyond anxiety, depression, and conflicts in marriage or other relationships find hope and healing in their lives.  Contact us today at 502-717-5433, or by email at drdave@lifetrainingcounseling.org