Christian counseling?
- Thread starter Kingsdaughter65
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T
I believe that counseling can be helpful. I have had both secular therapy and Christian counseling. Secular therapy in my experience, was mostly me talking and the therapist mostly listening and asking questions along the way but not really giving advice (she may want me to expound on my thoughts, by asking, why did you feel that way? what did you learn from this? So, during this process, I'm actually coming up with my own solution. I went into secular counseling for CBT but quickly expanded into more topics. Christian counseling can be helpful too, but can also easily cause spiritual trauma so it really depends on who is counseling.
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Christian counseling is NOT a profession. It is a part of the pastoral ministry of genuine pastor/elders in the churches, who are called to be shepherds. Shepherds are charged with tending their sheep on an individual basis. The fact that most of them have failed to engage in counseling Christians is a disgrace. Also, elders are to be men, not women.
In view of this, you can certainly try to minister to individual Christian women (informally). But to seek academic or professional designations is really for the secular world. If you do get an LCSW designation, then it is clearly NOT for Christian counseling. The issues being dealt with are spiritual issues, but you will not be directed to deal with them on that basis. And the question you should ask yourself is this "How really effective have these secular social workers been, when all's said and done?"
In view of this, you can certainly try to minister to individual Christian women (informally). But to seek academic or professional designations is really for the secular world. If you do get an LCSW designation, then it is clearly NOT for Christian counseling. The issues being dealt with are spiritual issues, but you will not be directed to deal with them on that basis. And the question you should ask yourself is this "How really effective have these secular social workers been, when all's said and done?"
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B
Most people need some kind of counseling. Now as a Christian doing counseling you will have a heavy responsibility to the scriptures, with which the doctrines of man run contrary. What I have seen is that "Christian" councilors tend to dispense the ideas of the world while saying Jesus, and church every now and then.
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I see the point you’re making. There are those who are strictly Biblical counselors and licensed as such. I did not go that route but I will have to find out what I can or cannot do as a Christian counselor. I was basically wondering what people’s opinions were regarding going to counseling as a Christian.
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Kingsdaughter65
I go to a counselor. I've been to several. I hated the insincerity of most of them and the lies of some of them. I was very appreciative to find a Christian counselor. Rough roads past now. But it made all the difference. We don't worship the same..but have the same father, s on and Holy Spirit. It's a lttle long now, but yes you can make a difference ... and some days it will be monumental. Others may be not, but at the end of the day isn't making a difference the greatest thing we can do here?
In a secular hospital, I even found a treasure of a Christian psychiatrist. Praise God. SHe quoted scripture to me when I truly thought the world had completely lost all reason and faith in God. I needed it at that moment so badly and she delivered.
If you have a heart for it, it's truly needed, even by Christian believers.
I go to a counselor. I've been to several. I hated the insincerity of most of them and the lies of some of them. I was very appreciative to find a Christian counselor. Rough roads past now. But it made all the difference. We don't worship the same..but have the same father, s on and Holy Spirit. It's a lttle long now, but yes you can make a difference ... and some days it will be monumental. Others may be not, but at the end of the day isn't making a difference the greatest thing we can do here?
In a secular hospital, I even found a treasure of a Christian psychiatrist. Praise God. SHe quoted scripture to me when I truly thought the world had completely lost all reason and faith in God. I needed it at that moment so badly and she delivered.
If you have a heart for it, it's truly needed, even by Christian believers.
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I was once on a journey to be a DAC. A piece of advice, if you're going to be a counselor, get counseling yourself first. Consider this, if you're so well you are in no need of, perhaps you can't identify with the patients you would see.
Plus you know what it feels like in their shoes. Good advice I believe. God bless.
Plus you know what it feels like in their shoes. Good advice I believe. God bless.
I went to a Christian counselor when a family member was dealing with depression and self-destructive behaviour. I had recently moved to a new community, and had not connected solidly with a church. The time with him was moderately helpful.
Later, after my marriage ended, I spent many hours with a different counselor. He had been a pastor and had operated a Christian counseling practice for many years. With his help I dealt with some deep issues and got free of a lot of junk. I would highly recommend it.
That said, both he and my current pastor are quite direct in saying that counseling is a calling that few have. While many pastors get basic training, few are truly gifted, and even fewer have the time that people need.
Later, after my marriage ended, I spent many hours with a different counselor. He had been a pastor and had operated a Christian counseling practice for many years. With his help I dealt with some deep issues and got free of a lot of junk. I would highly recommend it.
That said, both he and my current pastor are quite direct in saying that counseling is a calling that few have. While many pastors get basic training, few are truly gifted, and even fewer have the time that people need.
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