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By Pastor David Martin
Guest Columnist
When you as a Christian realize that you or someone you love is in need
of counseling there are several issues that need to be addressed.
First is the stigma that
seeking professional help may bring. In certain Christian circles
professional help is viewed in a negative light, even when it is
Christian. One has to see these counselors as a gift from God to bring
His healing presence in your life.
Second is the task of
finding a competent counseling professional who will truly integrate
their faith into the counseling process. Unfortunately, not everyone who
claims to be a "Christian counselor" operates with a personal and
professional commitment to Christ-centered soul care. In order for a
Christian to make a good decision about a Christian counseling
professional, there are some important factors that need to be
understood as well as the various options that are available to you.
Most communities have a
number of counseling resources. Churches may provide a pastoral
counselor, a counseling professional who works out of the church, lay
trained counselors or a particular support group. Professional
counselors may be available in various settings, including private
practice, clinics, government agencies, treatment centers, etc.
When choosing the most
appropriate counselor for you or a family member or friend there are a
number factors that need to be addressed:
The
individual's needs
--
How severe is the problem? Is it life threatening? Is the individual
motivated to get help?
The individual's resources -- The person's finances, medical
insurance, time, their family and other support systems all need to be
considered.
The church's resources -- Types of counseling that the church
offers, what support groups they have, as well funds to assist in paying
for professional counseling all need to be considered.
The community's resources -- What resources are available in the
community? Are there competent counselors and psychiatrists available?
In addition are there community mental health services that are
accessible to this person?
COUNSELING ROLES
In order to choose the
most appropriate counseling resource, one must understand the variety of
roles within the overall field of counseling. Understanding these will
assist a person in choosing what is best for them or the individual they
are referring.
Pastoral Counselors
-- This title is used by many who have a whole variety of
qualifications. There is an organization "The American Association of
Pastoral Counselors" that requires the same training as most licensed
professionals in order to have their licensure. Most of these people are
ordained ministers with full masters or doctoral training. Most work in
a private practice but usually have connections to churches that refer
to them and may even give them office space in the church. However most
people who use the term "pastoral counselor" are ordained ministers with
additional training and experience in counseling.
Lay Counselors or Caregivers -- Many types of helping ministries
have been developed in order to mobilize people in the church to meet
the needs of people. Although some of this may focus on meeting physical
needs there is a growing motivation to meet the emotional and spiritual
needs of people in the church and in outreach into the community. Many
churches are utilizing a training program such as "Stephen's Ministry"
or the American Association of Christian Counselors' "Caring for People
God's Way." In most cases these are free services that the church offers
to their congregation and people in the community. This is providing a
much-needed service for many that cannot afford professional counseling.
However, many churches are being careful to train these lay counselors
to know when the must refer to a counseling professional.
Support Groups -- These groups are playing a vital role in meeting
some of the practical needs of people. These are typically issues based
such as addictions, divorce recovery, etc. The group itself becomes a
critical source of support for many of its members.
Professional Counselors -- These professional clinicians are
qualified due to their education, experience, licensure and
certification. In selecting a Christian counseling professional you
should be aware of the different degrees and licenses that individuals
may have. Unfortunately, each state has different licenses with
different qualifications and thus there are few national norms. There
are some fairly common terms that are used to describe different
professionals, their degrees and their licensing.
DIFFERING PROFESSIONAL
COUNSELORS
Licensed Social Workers
(LSW,
CSW, LCSW ) -- These individuals have earned a master's degree in social
work (MSW) or behavioral science. They are preferred by many in state
institutions and agencies. They are required to take a state exam, have
a certain amount of clinical experience and supervision.
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC) -- These individuals
generally have earned minimally a master's degree (MA, MS, M.Ed). They
have completed 2000 hours of supervised counseling experience and have
passed a state exam. Most insurance companies accept LPC but some prefer
the LCSW over them.
Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) -- These professionals usually
hold a minimum of a master's degree and specialize in assisting families
and individuals overcome relational problems. This license usually
requires two years of supervised experience after earning one's degree.
Licensed Clinical Psychologists (LCP) -- These individuals have a
doctoral level of education (Ph.D, Psy.D, or Ed.D) and specialize in
diagnosis, research, and applied counseling. They have the most
versatility and may be private practitioners, school psychologists,
institutional or hospital psychologists.
Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors (LCDC, CADAC) -- These
counselors have a bachelor's or master's degree in chemical dependency.
Most of these counselors use 12-Step programming. Chemical Dependency
counselors may be in private practice but may also work for private
hospitals, state or municipal programs, or outpatient clinics.
Board Certified Psychiatrists (MD, DO) -- These are medical doctors
who have advanced training in behavioral sciences. They are qualified to
prescribe medications and supervise mental health treatment
TIPS FOR CHOOSING A
COUNSELOR
There is a vast
difference between a Christian who is a counselor and a Christian
counselor. Some counselors use the term Christian because they have
learned this may expand their practice.
There are a number of
things you need to consider before choosing a counselor:
-
Which type
of counselor do you think would be the best?
-
Choosing between a pastoral
counselor, lay counselor or a licensed professional is a choice you must
make. What is the
payment structure? Does the counselor accept insurance payment and is
he/she accepted by your insurance? Is there a sliding scale based on
ability to pay? Does your church assist people who need counseling?
-
Is there a
trusted person (pastor or friend) who recommends this counselor?
-
What kind
of licensure or certification does the counselor have?
-
What
experience does the counselor have in dealing with your specific issue?
-
Does it
matter to you if you have a male or female counselor? It is also
important for you to know some things about what this professing
Christian counselor believes and how that applies to the way that he or
she practices their counseling. Psalm 1 declares that, "Blessed is the
man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly." You may call the
counselors office and tell them that you would like to ask the counselor
some questions before you set up an appointment for counseling.
Some of the information
you may be able to get from the office worker:
-
What is
your general approach to counseling?
-
How do you
integrate Biblical truths into your counseling?
-
Are you
involved in a church?
-
Which one and in what role are you involved?
-
How do you
integrate Biblical truths into your counseling?
-
What part
does prayer play in the way that you counsel? Do you pray with clients?
-
What is
their perspective on the miraculous?
-
What is
their view on certain on any key moral/ethical issues of concern for
you. Issues such as abortion, divorce, remarriage, homosexuality,
discipline of children, roles of husband and wife.
This is an important
decision for you and being thorough in choosing a counselor you or
someone you trust doesn't know. Set up a phone interview with the
counselor before you start the counseling process and ask some of the
questions we have listed. May the Lord bless you as you seek His healing
in your life.
The 700 Club Prayer
Counselors are available
24 hours a day at (800) 759-0700
Comments from R-Quest Staff:
These
professionals at R-Quest are certified not only by The California
Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (CAADAC) and on file
with the California Secretary of State, but also the National
Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and the
International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC). Counselors
have completed a written exam, 6000 hours of supervised counseling and
an extensive oral examination provided by the ICRC. Counselors are up to
date on current issues and trends in the field of alcoholism and drug
abuse treatment.
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