what is a Christian Counselor?
Recently I had the privilege of interviewing a therapist for a position at our office. Somehow we got on the topic of the difference between christian counselors and non-christian counselors and how her professor in college had a beautiful response to this question. I immediately came up with some of my own responses in my head.
Here are some of my personal thoughts on this matter.
First here is how I would describe a christian counselor -
A therapist who loves Jesus and is committed to using biblical qualities to be the best therapist they can be.
So what makes a Christian therapist different?
The humility to understand that we are not the savior. Sometimes as a therapist I feel the pressure to have all the answers for all the clients and sometimes this can be a hindrance to the clients developing self awareness. But what I remind myself in those times is that: I am not the savior. That God has gifted me with the ability and compassion to walk with others in their valleys. When I have given into the pressure and tried to “save” clients I have realized it actually isn’t helpful or therapeutic at all. Clients grow so much more through the power of self reflection and then surrender.
The Holy Spirit. Reliance on self, and our own intelligence can feel very limiting in the room. There have been many times in the therapy room that I will feel like I just don’t know how to move forward and then I silently pray for the holy spirit to guide me. Even in my session with non-christians I have felt the Holy Spirit guide my words in a way that really transforms a client’s way of seeing things or breaks through a barrier for growth.
Prayer. As a christian counselor I know that I wouldn’t be able to do this work with out God. I wouldn’t want to. When I feel helpless and stuck in the healing process with a client I know I have the power of prayer. It is such a privilege and honor to pray over and pray with my clients. I have seen God answer many of the prayers I prayed for clients. I truly believe that the therapy room is holy ground. Because when you get honest and bare your heart out loud, God listens. The act of talking about your deepest pains and betrayals makes the space sacred and how your therapist responds is so important to your healing.
Prayer is powerful. At Selah Sustained we have a prayer wall, if there are ways we can be praying for you please hang it on our wall.
