There are Christian Counselors and then there are Counselors who are Christian. Does a counselor have to work in a church, or Christian counseling agency to be effective? For instance, I work at a state hospital with adolescents. I also have an outside private practice where I do not place a Christian distinction in the title. Does this make me a heathen, or does it imply in some way that my practice is inferior? Often I find that I am able to share my faith with the clients without being pushy or judgmental. Not that I’m saying that all Christian counselors do such a thing. I meet the person where they are and help them with what they want to be helped with. Maybe in some ways I am limited in sticking with the truth of the client, even when the truth of God is against their beliefs.
My area of specialty is working with trauma and addictions. I have worked many years effectively with adolescents and I really enjoy facilitating group therapy. Not that I claim to be special because there are Christian counselors who also have specialties.
Counselors are to adhere to their professional ethics by only providing services in areas in which they are competent. Could I say that I am competent in the bible and also my relationship with God? I believe I can! My student loan debt is very substantial from receiving my education from private Christian institutions. Should this wisdom I have be shared with the secular world? What is the best way to go about this? When and where should a counselor be allowed to share their faith? Is it ok when they are paying for it? Does it depend on whither the presenting problem is mental, physical, or spiritual in nature?
Would you go to a physician just because they are a Christian, or would you want a specialist? For example, would you go to a podiatrist for respiratory issues? Would you go to a proctologist for oral surgery? Well, of course you would want the best care you can get from a qualified professional.
[What are your thoughts? Please feel free to share.]
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