THE DIFFERENCE

BETWEEN CHRISTIAN COUNSELING

 AND  SECULAR COUNSELING

 

  Portrait of the Christian Pastoral Counselor 

 

The great benefits of  Christian counseling, opposed to non-Christian counseling, is dealing directly with the core problem of human existence: our alienation from God.

VISIONARY                            PROPHETIC                             DISCERNMENT                              ETHICAL

• Counselors with this training may have strong empathic abilities and can become aware of an other's emotions or intentions, over a short time span. This gift can take the form of feeling the hidden distress to an extent that is difficult for other types of counseling methods to comprehend. Furthermore, the Christian Counselor is most likely, of all the types, to demonstrate an ability to discern the areas of need in each individuals temperament.  What is known as “words of knowledge” may well be an exceptional discerning ability. Such  intuition is found frequently in the Christian Counselor, and can extend to people, things, and often events. With the godly use of these gifts, a Pastoral/Christian Counselor may encourage others with great insight!

Pastoral/Christian Counselors focus on human  thinking in terms of ethical values, and come easily to decisions. The small number of Christian Counselors is regrettable, since Christian Counselors have an unusually strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others and genuinely enjoy helping their counselee’s. 

Laurie Mendez, works quite intensely with those close to her, quietly exerting God’s positive influence. As a trained therapist she has great depth of personality; Christian counselors, are themselves, complicated, and can understand and deal with complex issues and people.

 "I HAVE SWEPT AWAY YOUR SINS LIKE THE MORNING MIDSTS"     Isaiah 44:22 
 
   DEFINITION

The definition of pastoral counseling is somewhat difficult to generate. 

On the whole  we will define pastoral counseling in three ways.

• One type is a normal function of pastoral duties.

 

• Another form of pastoral counseling is a more specialized vocation. Many large churches today have a pastoral counselor on staff.  (These two kinds of counselors are mostly available to members.

 

• www.SteppingStonesToNewLife.org  fulfills the third kind of Pastoral counseling. 
• They may or may not serve a specific congregation. 
• They have a graduate level or PhD ministry degree, counseling training, and/or  certifications from a recognized counseling association. 
• Many also have psychology and counseling degrees along with special certifications.  These dedicated pastoral counselors have chosen to make counseling a vocation.  They are ordained and/or licensed ministers with a graduate or post graduate degree in ministry, biblical studies, theology, or divinity with  training in counseling. 
• This kind of counseling is available to anyone. You do not have to be a member of any church or particular denomination.

 

The third kind of pastoral counseling, just described, is a professional counseling service.  They charge a minimal fee for their  services.  Counseling is their vocation.   They are highly educated and experienced.

***Most pastoral counselors,  believe they are not paid for counseling, they are paid to keep counseling. The fees can range from a flat fee, a fee for a series of sessions, and a sliding scale according to income and ability.   http://www.allaboutgod.com/christian-counseling.htm