When considering professional help for mental health, many Christians turn to Christian Counseling for help. But for every one Christian who seeks help from a Christian Counselor, there are many more who shy away from the idea. And I think this is because there are some Christian Counseling myths that really seem to turn people off.
The following are some of the most common myths and the truth:
Myth #1: Christian Counselors are Very Judgmental
Nope, not even close. My job as a Christian counselor is to provide my clients with a safe space to work through the challenges in their life. I try my very best to emulate Christ and show my clients love and respect. I focus on listening not judging or shaming. I have gone through my fair share of difficult life experiences and trauma so I strive to create a calm, relaxed space where my clients feel the safety and acceptance to work on their personal goals.
Myth #2: Christian Counselors Just Recite Bible Versus at You and Tell you To Pray More
You may have had well meaning Christians tell you to just pray more. Of course scripture and prayer are very big parts of the Christian faith. There are many lessons to be learned and stories of hope within the Bible and from answered prayer. But my goal is not to make you feel that you are not holy enough because you pray, yet you continue to struggle. I never impose my beliefs on any of my clients and only integrate discussions of God, prayer, and the Bible to the extent that my client is interested. I want my clients to be as comfortable as possible and in control of their healing journey. While we may look at scripture that relates to your symptoms, there are many other ways that I integrate faith into my sessions.
Myth #3: I Don’t Need Counseling – I Can Just Speak with My Pastor
I definitely think speaking with your pastor or local minister is a great idea! These leaders can offer spiritual guidance in troubling times. But there are some differences to what I offer as a trained counselor.
Counselors have a Master’s degree or higher in counseling, whereas most pastors have received theological training. Your pastor may have taken some counseling courses but most likely not to the extent of a trained, licensed counselor. Counselors have also been licensed and follow state/federal regulations pertaining to mental health. We are required to earn continuing education credits to maintain our licenses so we are continually learning and staying up to date with the latest evidence-based treatments. This allows a Christian counselor to treat the entire personhood of their clients using research based, effective strategies.
If you would like to learn more about what Christian counseling offers or would like to schedule a session, please get in touch with me. I would consider it an immense honor to walk alongside you in your healing journey! https://www.virtualcounselingservices.net/contact/
SOURCES:
https://www.destinycitycounseling.com/blog/top-5-myths-about-christian-counseling-in-tacoma-wa
