America is in the midst of a mental health crisis devasting people of every age and background. People of faith are not immune to depression and anxiety. God is always with His children in their circumstances, and when life’s messiness is overwhelming and prayer does not seem to be enough, it is okay to ask for help.
According to the Christian Mental Health Initiative, God Biblically encourages “us to always seek knowledge and lean on each other for assistance.” For example, Proverbs 18:15 says, “The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out (NIV), and Proverbs 27:17 declares, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. (NIV)”
Counseling is a popular source of assistance: There are three basic approaches to mental wellness — secular, Biblical, and Christian.
How to choose which one is best requires understanding how their methods differ. Typically secular counseling is not Christian-faith based.
However, Biblical and Christian counseling are sound faith-oriented methods for mental wellness, but their techniques are different.
Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Pastoral Counselor Kenza Haddock explained, “Recognizing the value of one’s faith in one’s healing journey is at the heart of both approaches.”
One fundamental difference between these faith-based counseling types lies in the breadth of their application. Biblical Counseling is rooted in the teaching and principles of God’s Word.
Its values are grounded in Apostle Paul’s teaching in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (NIV).”
Haddock further explains: “At its core, Biblical counseling [emphasizes] God’s Word’s sufficiency to provide guidance and answers for every aspect of life, including mental and emotional struggles.”
These “counselors often integrate Scripture, prayer, and spiritual principles into their counseling practice, seeking to address the root causes of issues and guide people towards spirituals growth and healing; whether spiritual and/or emotional.”
Christian Counseling
Haddock, also the President of Oceanic Counseling Group, LLC, said, “Christian Counseling takes a more comprehensive approach by integrating the principles of Christianity with various psychological theories and techniques.”
These counselors aim to address their clients’ mental wellness needs “by blending established clinical methods with Biblical principles.”
Training requirements differ for Biblical counselors and Christian counselors. Heart Talk Biblical Counseling states that their counselors are certified after completing the training curriculum, observations, and required reading. They must also pass an examination, receive references, and complete 50 supervised counseling sessions.
Conversely, Christian counselors are state licensed. While each state’s licensure requirements vary, most agree after earning a graduate degree in counseling, participating in supervised counseling experience, and passing an examination given by an accreditation board. Christian counselors specialize in helping Christians.
Guided Self-Help Programs With Biblical Foundations
Some groups, like the Anonymous programs, tackle addiction from an Agape love perspective despite prescribing it to any self-perceived higher power rather than being focused on Christ. It was not always this way, Christians started Alcoholics Anonymous, and its Christian-based-12-Step Recovery principles remain throughout the program, albeit somewhat diluted. Fortunately, there are faith-based Anonymous groups led by Christians.
Alternatively, there is a Christian faith-based program called Celebrate Recovery (CR). It also uses the 12-Step philosophy toward sobriety and remaining sober. CR’s program uses 12 Steps modified with Bible verses that reflect Jesus’s words as a guideline.
The first Celebrate Recovery meeting took place in November 1991 in Southern California. In 1998, Pastor John Baker learned that the CR model was being used in a New Mexico prison. Today, the prison ministry is integrated into prison systems globally. After decades of offering Biblically-based hope, Celebrate Recovery recognized a need for ministries and initiatives to meet other needs. They’ve launched many programs, including “‘pre-covery,’ which partners with parents or guardians to help break the cycle of dysfunction destroying many families.”
Most people “working their 12-Step programs” find they need additional mental wellness care. Whether individuals choose Biblical Counseling or Christian Counseling, the added support from fellow Christians will help their mental and spiritual growth.
Ultimately, Biblical counselors and Christian counselors have many things in common. These brothers and sisters in Christ hold to the Christian faith personally, have received extensive training to help people, and have a genuine heart for those seeking mental wellness.
Written by Cathy Milne-Ware
Sources:
EIN Presswire: Understanding the difference: Biblical Counseling vs. Christian Counseling; Kenza Haddock
Zondervan Academic: Biblical Counseling vs. Christian Counseling: What’s the Difference?
Christian Mental Health Initiative: Should Christians go to therapy? What does the Bible say? By Neami Tervil
Heart Talk: Biblical Counseling Vs. Christian Counseling: What’s The Difference?
Navigators: The 5 R’s: Plan a Daily Appointment with God
Featured and Top Image by Jametlene Reskp Courtesy of Unsplash
First Inset Image by Rod Long Courtesy of Unsplash
Second Inset Image Courtesy of Kenza Haddock – Used With Permission
Third Inset Image by Andrej Lišakov Courtesy of Unsplash+
Fourth Inset Image by RU Recovery Ministries Courtesy of Unsplash
