It can be hard to find someone who will truly listen to you. Sometimes you can have a conversation with someone and then walk away afterwards wondering if they even heard what you were saying. People mean well, but at times they can rush to give you advice when what you need is for someone to hear you out and help you process what you’re going through. This is where Christian counseling can help.
In some instances, it can feel awkward to talk to someone you know about the things going on in your life. Perhaps you’re afraid they will see you in a different light, or maybe because it’s about them you don’t want to jeopardize the relationship. There are several reasons you might struggle to confide in a friend or loved one. This, however, doesn’t mean you’re out of options if you’re looking for someone to talk to about what you’re going through.
Christian counseling in brief
Christian counseling is a space where a person can discuss their concerns with a trained and licensed counselor. The counseling can take place on a one-to-one basis, or in a group setting with others seeking to address the same concerns. The kinds of concerns that can be addressed through counseling will vary widely, from mental health issues such as anxiety and depression to other concerns such as relationship difficulties or substance abuse.
Your counselor will use a variety of therapeutic techniques that are suitable to the situation and your concerns. You don’t have to be a Christian to benefit from Christian counseling, but if you do opt for that approach, note that wisdom and insight grounded in the Christian faith’s understanding of the human person and their flourishing will be woven throughout. Your counselor will use these insights in addition to other evidence-based techniques.
When you attend Christian counseling with a licensed counselor, confidentiality is maintained. Your counselor’s training enables them to approach a situation without prejudice or judgment. They are truly there to listen and to help you make sense of what’s happening in your life. They will also provide you with tools to cope and thrive amid your challenges.
A safe place for healing
Christian counseling is a safe space for you to find healing and wholeness. This is the case for several reasons, including the following:
Biblical foundations
While using well-researched and effective techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, Christian counseling is also rooted in biblical principles, wisdom, and values. This provides a moral and ethical framework for the counseling process informed by God’s love, grace, and forgiveness. Such counseling can offer hope and redemption in the healing process.
Professional training
Just like their secular colleagues, Christian counselors receive professional training and supervision. This ensures that they are equipped to handle various mental health concerns.
Compassionate and non-judgmental
Part of a counselor’s training is to equip them to listen without judgment. Christian counseling offers a compassionate and non-judgmental space, and this in turn allows clients to share their struggles without fear of condemnation.
A holistic approach
People are complex beings, and Christian counseling addresses the whole person – body, mind, and spirit – while promoting their healing and well-being. Christian counseling creates space for a client to integrate their faith into the healing process, and to understand how their faith can provide them with ongoing resources for healing.
Confidentiality and trust
Counseling wouldn’t be a safe space if what you said wasn’t respected and kept confidential. Without trust, it’s impossible to create a safe environment in which you can be vulnerable and share your inmost thoughts and feelings. Your counselor will maintain confidentiality and build trust with you over time so that you feel comfortable enough to share freely.
When you start the process of counseling, you need to find a counselor with whom you have a rapport, and whose style you appreciate. The therapeutic alliance you and your counselor form is vital for the process because if you trust your counselor, it’s easier to follow their guidance and to share what’s going on in your life without watering it down or engaging in pretense.
Richardson Christian Counseling provides a safe and supportive environment for individuals to find healing, growth, and transformation into the people God wants them to be. Reach out to our office at Richardson Christian Counseling in Texas to be connected to a counselor in Richardson, Texas who can address your areas of concern. Your counselor can help you on this journey toward holistic healing, no matter the challenges you’re facing.
“Pink Flowers”, Courtesy of Ali Hasan Bin Gursain, Unsplash.com, CC0 License
- Jennifer Kooshian: Author
Jennifer Kooshian lives in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with her husband of 32 years on a small homestead near Lake Superior. They have five adult children and one grandson. She also has an ever-changing number of chickens, a mellow old cat, and a...
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