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Christian Counseling - 10/27/2009 4:38:22 AM
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wb4dwd
Posts: 9
Joined: 10/22/2009
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Many Christians are interested in becoming educated in order to enter one of the "helping" professions such as social work or psychology. Typicallt these programs will lead to a state license as an LPC, LMFT, or simialar position. These is a growing need for people willing to help others.
The problem that has developed is that these educational disciplines consider themselves to be a part of the world of "Science" and therefore limit ther]ir activites to things that have physical realities. There is simply no room for the spiritual in the workd of "Science" by definition.
Many of the problems that people seek help from professionals are, however, spiritual problems. And these scientists are simply not rquipped to be helpful.
For example, most addiction problems are spiritual in nature. Of course there are physical issues such as withdrawal and the physical consequences of ingesting drugs, but the reasons why, and the freedom from the maladaptive behavior, are all to be found in the realm of the spiritual.
For thousands of years people have sought help for spiritual issues from their religious leaders.
But the modern spiritual problems facing us today are typically not addressed in the training most of our clergy have received.
Consequently, there is a need for spiritual counselors who are equipped to help people with the very real spiritual problems faciing them.
The goal of the emerging profession of Christian Counseling is to equip Christians called to the ministry of counseling to understand and be able help people with these issues.
The Ministry of Counseling is becoming a very real movement in the Christian Church that is working to maintain the Christian's right to help each other through ministry.
If you are in the ministry, or called to enter the ministry as a Christian Counselor, we would be glad to hear from you.
_____________________________
May the Lords Blessing abound in you,
Roger Young
Registrar
http://www.pastoral-counseling-center.org
http://temperaments.info
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RE: Christian Counseling - 10/27/2009 11:13:41 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5581
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From: The higher lowcountry
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I just happened to have caught the thread title and read the OP. I usually stay away from counseling threads...but thought I'd post something brief.
My husband and I are biblical counselors, members of NANC and IABC.
We do believe that the body of Christ is capable of counseling one another. In Corinthians, we learn that the reason for many of the issues we have all experienced is so that we, in turn can give hope and encouragement to others. And ultimately to bring glory to God in the process.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christian Counseling - 10/27/2009 5:23:48 PM
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TheMiliant
Posts: 13
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I agree....
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RE: Christian Counseling - 11/8/2009 2:00:13 AM
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Lea_3
Posts: 298
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As a student studying psychology I feel the need to enter my few cents...
I believe that everyone is capable of counseling each other, however I do not believe that everyone has ALL the capabilities of counseling in every situation. I honestly do not believe someone who has no training or education should or can counsel another person who has faced certain hardships in life, such as abuse, sexual assault, or mental illnesses. I'll be honest here, I've heard of nouthetic counseling and I don't think it's an effective mode for people who have mental illnesses. I have acquaintances with mental illnesses who NEED to take their medication in order to help them function fully. From what I gather, nouthetic counseling does not espouse that belief, instead believing that it's all sin and counseling can make the sin go away.
If you have marriage difficulties, I think it would be wise to seek a Christian-based marriage counselor. There are methods of obtaining Christian counselors within a local area through a search look-up, and calling them and asking questions regarding their credentials and beliefs. I've done the look-up myself when looking and the people who stand out to me as Christian are the ones who mention their involvement with church counseling ministries.
There are a lot of "Christian" counselors out there as well. I know people who are married where they went to see a Christian counselor, who told them to get divorced. Crazy, I know. So a couple told me they went to see a different one, who did NOT tell them to get divorced and instead assisted them in their difficulties. I've noticed that the counselors affiliated with more conservative churches often are more "Biblical" in their approach. For example, the couple I mentioned initially went to a counselor at their ELCA church (no surprise considering what they've been pulling lately) and the next counselor they saw was at a non-denominational Bible church. I know others who have sought counseling at their churches, whether it be Baptist, Catholic, non-denom., etc. and the most important factor was that the church itself adhered to and taught Biblical beliefs regarding marriage, in the case of seeking marriage counseling.
I have personally seen a nouthetic counselor and did not at all find it helpful. Instead, it was more hurtful than anything as I was trying to find counseling that would help me sort through the bitterness and anger I felt towards my parents abusing me. Instead, I was told that I probably "provoked" the abuse through my "sinfulness and rebellion" and how I needed to honor my parents better. I cried after that session.
Psychology is not an exact science, and instead is a social science. It can't be considered a "science" in the terms of a scientist because one cannot truly predict human behavior. I'll admit that overmedication is a huge problem with children and adults, and psychiatrists are probably doling out pills more often than naught, and something definitely needs to change. But I don't think psychologists should be done away with, I don't think that a psychologist cannot counsel from a Biblical perspective, I believe that there are Christian psychologists out there-- I hope to become one someday myself-- and I believe that psychologists are more capable of helping certain groups of people than we may think we are. There is a reason why good psychologists will work in a team with other professionals, such as doctors, for their clients' best mental health.
Would it also be so far-fetched to also suggest that Biblical counselors can work in conjunction with other professionals as well, for instance in the case of people with addictions? Alot of people with addictions MAY have a spiritual problem, but they also have a thinking problem. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, in addition to spiritual counseling would be a better take, I think.
Just my opinion and experience.
< Message edited by Lea_3 -- 11/8/2009 2:08:35 AM >
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RE: Christian Counseling - 11/8/2009 10:37:29 PM
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mosess8
Posts: 66
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I would only add this from a litigation perspective. A church may not want to establish a counseling team to counsel people in the church unless they are licensed or certified to do so. Personal counseling one on one with a fello wbeliever is fine, howver if a church puts someone up as a counselor who is not licensed there could be litigation if the person follows advise that leads to harm.
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RE: Christian Counseling - 11/9/2009 10:41:06 AM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5581
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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We have our "legal" bases covered with all the forms necessary in our state to protect both parties to include HIPPA forms when appropriate.
We also do not give counsel on any medications, because we are not doctors.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christian Counseling - 11/9/2009 3:20:18 PM
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Lea_3
Posts: 298
Joined: 3/7/2006
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Everyone has the "right" to help each other through Christian ministry. But is everyone truly qualified? No.
Let me give a more concrete example. One of my professors is a psychologist who has worked with the police for years before she became a professor. In lecture, she would often tell us of stories where children and/or spouses were heavily abused and the amount of time and energy that often was needed in order to help these families. Simply pointing to a Bible verse would not help these people. These people needed intense therapy, not a Bible thrust in their faces and told about how awful sinners they are.
I'm sure my strong opinion has been made obvious here, but many others, including myself, have shared negative experiences with nouthetic counselors when those people were supposed to help-- not hurt-- their spiritual health.
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RE: Christian Counseling - 11/9/2009 3:34:34 PM
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doinkdom
Posts: 5581
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: The higher lowcountry
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That's too bad...I feel the same way about psychiatry and being wronged.
I forgot to unsubscribe to this thread earlier considering the predictable place it will be going...but will do so now.
Thank you.
_____________________________
Rest assured, dear friends, that where your pleasure is, there your heart is.
- Charles Spurgeon
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RE: Christian Counseling - 11/9/2009 3:41:46 PM
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Lea_3
Posts: 298
Joined: 3/7/2006
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I didn't say psychiatry was the answer. I have had many professors who were or are practicing psychologists and believe that psychiatry had gone haywire. Many of these professors stressed using a "whole person" approach-- a couple of them were even open about being Christians.
There are many situations where nouthetic counseling probably has its place. Then there are situations where honestly, I don't think it would help at all.
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