When we are struggling with life, we often look to professionals
for help. When those professionals trained in psychological
counseling also share our faith in God and commitment to Biblical
teachings, there is a common ground established for mutual
understanding and insight. Christian counselors who share
our trust and reliance on God for wisdom, direction, healing
and the power to make positive changes help us by directing
us back to our God.
We are also able to more easily build a therapeutic relationship
because we trust in their ability to be used by Him to discern
the truth of difficult situations, guide our personal insights
and choices, and serve as our mediators in relational conflict.
Christian counseling combines professional therapeutic service
with biblically based values and scriptural truths to promote
emotional, mental and spiritual healing.
Understanding
Counselor Distinctions Professionals can have a variety of educational backgrounds
and practice emphases. Here is a brief synopsis of some the
more common ones:
Education Doctoral Degree —These clinicians have achieved
the most advanced level of education available, which is usually
signified by the initials Ph.D., Ed.D., or PsyD. Master's
Degree —These clinicians have completed a graduate degree,
usually identified as a M.A., M.S., or MFT
Types of
Counselors
•
Psychiatrist —This
person is a medical doctor who has completed advanced
training in mental and emotional disorders. This professional
may prescribe medication and typically is more focused
on managing medication than on providing talk therapy.
•
Psychologist —This
person has a doctoral degree but isn't medically trained.
He/she may be specifically trained in testing but will
also conduct traditional therapy.
•
Licensed Professional —
These clinicians have at least a master's degree and
have completed supervision requirements for licensure
in their field. Different types include:
•
Licensed Marriage
and Family Therapist —specifically trained
in marriage and family therapy; views an individual
in the context of his/her relationships
•
Licensed Professional
Counselor
•
Licensed Clinical
Social Worker
•
Licensed
Pastoral Counselor
•
Unlicensed Counselor
—Usually a trained counselor, lay counselor
or minister. Unlicensed does not necessarily indicate
the absence of clinical therapeutic training —the
individual may or may not have some level of training.
Unlicensed means that for whatever reason they
have not completed the licensing process
• Also See Counseling
Questions
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