The Problem
Christian counseling, for the most part, seems to have become the way to describe the practice of counseling associated with the church or marketed toward the Christian community. But, just because someone claims to be a Christian Counselor, does not mean they are. I have to admit that I have grown more than a little irritated with someone who claims to be a “Christian Counselor” whose only focus is the person with whom they are counseling or the problem the person is facing. I have experienced personally and have known people who have gone to so-called “Christian Counselors” with problems, only to come away with the same hopelessness and despair that they started with, knowing that there had to be a solution to the problem but just not finding it.
The Question
What is the difference between Psychology and Christian Counseling?
Psychology deals with the study of the human mind as if to find the answers within ourselves. But, if anything can be called Christian, then it must concern itself with a Christ centered focus, a Christ directed end. For the Christian, everything should lead us back to Christ. He is our everything and there is nothing that cannot be solved in Him. If we look for solutions to the problems we face in anything other than Christ, we will never overcome them. Apart from Him we can do nothing. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. With God all things are possible. The answers to our problems cannot be found within ourselves. Psychology may be able to identify problems but it cannot solve them.
What I am not addressing here
I am not talking about Psychiatry. Psychiatry deals with chemical imbalances and behavioral problems that require medication. Different discussion altogether. Incidentally, I am not opposed to medication when needed.
Conclusion
To conclude this rant with as much brevity as I can muster, I will assert that if “Christian Counseling” does not point people to Christ using the Scriptures, then it is not “Christian” and should not be labeled as such.
