The Benefits of Christian Counseling Centers

In the church, two types of counseling are most common: biblical counseling and professional Christian counseling. What’s the difference between the two? Do the differences matter? Read on for more.

Biblical counseling within the church typically refers to just that: use of the Bible to help people overcome their current struggles. The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors [ACBC] defines biblical counseling as: “the personal discipleship ministry of God’s people to others under the oversight of God’s church, dependent upon the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word through the work of the Holy Spirit” (Johnson & Stephens, 2020). Biblical counselors are often Bible college or seminary trained, though some have simply undergone a program through an organization like the ACBC (Miley, 2020, ACBC, n.d.). Biblical counseling can be very useful to people of faith, and often fits with their worldviews. Individuals in the church may also wish to see a Christian counselor for additional support, however.

A Christian counselor can work in collaboration with a biblical counselor. The difference between a biblical counselor and a Christian counselor is that Christian counselors have an advanced degree in a program that requires certain standards of education (Miley, 2020). Additionally, licensed Christian counselors are subject to behavioral health boards that set rules to govern and ensure ethical practice. As a result, “the licensed therapist has a deeper understanding of human psychology and behavioral patterns that have been backed by scientific research and/or tried-and-true ways of seeing the human condition” (Yen, 2018). In an ideal world, a Christian counselor provides professional behavioral health services that integrate with the faith work of a biblical counselor. This provides individuals with both professional and church/community support.

Christian counselors may work in private practice (alone), or out of Christian counseling centers. Christian counseling centers typically employ individuals who profess faith, and these centers may include faith as part of their mission statements. Professional Christian counselors that work at such organizations still cannot impose their faith views on their clients, however, as this violates counseling ethics codes (American Counseling Association, 2014). The job of Christian counselors is not to advise clients about faith matters, but rather to incorporate faith into services. This can benefit both the therapist and client in forming an authentic relationship (Miley, 2020). Authentic relationships help predict counseling success (Anwar, 2023). Most clients, inside or outside of the church, hope for success from their services.

Incorporation of Christian principles into counseling can be very beneficial. Studies have shown that counseling that incorporates faith principles is just as effective as secular versions (Koenig, 2012). Religion and spirituality provide community, ritual, teaching, and other mental health benefits (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2016). For individuals interested in this type of counseling, Christian counseling centers are a good place to start.

Do Christians and individuals in the church have to go to Christian counseling centers, or even Christian counselors? No. The choice is really up to them. Christian counseling centers are just a resource designed to help clients find professionals who align with both their faith and their goals.