Christain Counseling

What distinguishes Christian Counseling?

Personal character and motivations of the counselor are what distinguishes a Christian from a non Christian approach in counseling (Buford, 1997).  The Holy Spirit is the one who gives Christians their character and their motivations when they submit and invite Him into their lives in and out of their counseling office. 

When a Christian counselor opens their session with prayer and invites the Holy Spirit into their office they have the Counselor of all counselors present (John 14:26, New International Version).  It is not them counseling but God working through their Spirit. The very words of wisdom the clinician speaks are words the Holy Spirit says through them.  Changed hearts and renewed minds are God’s desires and this can only be accomplished by the help of the Holy Spirit. This good work first began in the counselor themselves and they now are called to glorify the Lord by reflecting his nature through their own lives.

The Spirit of Truth reveals what God the Father wants revealed in their sessions and gives direction and guidance by providing Words of Truth from the Bible. The counselor does not rely on his wisdom but the wisdom given by God through the Holy Spirit.

 The counselor is able to express the very essence of God to their clients because the Holy Spirit produces in them the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness (Galatians 5:22).  When the client expresses doubt and is not sure how they can get through their times of troubles the Christian counselor can share that the Holy Spirit is there for them and they can do all things thru Christ who gives them strength (Philippians 4:13).  They don’t have to walk the path they are on alone and the “Comfortor” is close at hand and will provide the hope and peace they need.  

Bufford, R. K.  (1997)  Consecrated counseling: Reflections on the distinctives of Christian counseling.  Journal of Psychology and Theology, 25, 111-122.

 

http://rx9vh3hy4r.search.serialssolutions.com/

 

Clinton, T., & Ohlschlager, G. (Eds.).  (2002).  Competent Christian counseling: Foundations and practice of compassionate soul care.  Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press.  ISBN: 1578565170.

 

Clinton, T., & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian counseling: Foundations and practice of compassionate soul care.Colorado Springs: WaterBrook Press.

Author's Note

Written for and Ethics class my second semester of Grad School at Liberty University.

Reviews

[Desfile92]

Very good analysis of what differentiates Christians from non-Christians in the counseling area...

[D. Moore]

"When a Christian counselor opens their session with prayer and invites the Holy Spirit into their office they have the Counselor of all counselors present (John 14:26, New International Version). It is not them counseling but God working through their Spirit."

This is so TRUE! I couldn't help but smile and say, "Amen!" This is very informational; helpful. I am definitely adding it to my reading list.

Be blessed & Much love,

D.