What is Biblical Counseling? What is Christian Counseling?
How do these differ from Therapy?
What is Therapy?
Therapy is identified with a licensed clinician, usually either a mental health counselor (LPC), a marriage and family therapist (LMFT), a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or some other licensed psychiatric clinician, who are bound to the rules and regulations of state licensing boards. These clinicians may explore and diagnose problems of life and mental health disorders or disabilities, followed by a plan of treatment, based on the therapeutic framework from which they view the development of these disorders or psychosocial and emotional maladjustments.
What is biblical counseling?
Biblical counseling uses the Bible and church practices (prayer, wisdom, etc.) as its sole sources for identification, understanding, and treatment of psychosocial and emotional struggles. In most cases, the counselor will ultimately acknowledge the spiritual dynamic as the primary source for difficulties and treatment - the problem and solution can be found in the Scriptures and in the interaction of the person with God and man from a spiritual perspective.
What is Christian Counseling?
The aim of Christian counseling is to bridge the gap between secular psychotherapy theories or techniques and spiritual, biblical counseling. It uses the Scriptures and prayer, in conjunction with many of the practices and theories of modern-day psychotherapies, to help the client understand and overcome psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual difficulties and maladjustments. Christian counselors, like biblical counselors, do not diagnose disorders, but, unlike biblical counselors, will acknowledge diagnoses made by licensed clinicians and may utilize secular techniques and theories, alongside spiritual practices and Scripture, to support clients as they find healing. Christian counseling, like biblical counseling, follows a “coaching” model, in which the counselor comes alongside and encourages the client with both human and Scriptural insight and wisdom, rather than providing “therapy” as licensed clinicians provide, who follow the guidelines of formal diagnoses and treatment plans, usually through client self-directed restoration and healing.
