Finding a Christian Counselor
Finding a Christian Counselor
Finding a counselor in your area could potentially be a difficult endeavor. In order to assist in the process of finding a therapist, the following are some options that may be utilized.
- Begin by noting the Christian therapists in your area. If you know individuals and trust their expertise and there will not be a dual relationship if you entered into a therapeutic alliance, then they may be realistic options for help. (Examples of a dual relationship would be a counselor who is also a member of your church, an associational worker or a family member. Dual relationships need to be avoided whenever possible and addressed clearly when they cannot be avoided.)
- If you do not know of Christian therapists in your area you are welcome to call LeaderCare for assistance at 1-888-789-1911. We have resources that could help you in the search.
- Contact CCSB Church Health Team. They may be able to assist in the funding of the therapy itself or may help you to understand with whom they have contracted to provide therapy at a lowered cost.
- Within each person's reach is a church or maybe churches that you see as being particularly positive and healthy. They may or may not be SBC churches. If they are larger bodies they must have referral sources for their church members that they can trust. This list will likely have been built up and refined over the years. One option is to call a church you admire and ask “I am a minister at XYZ church and was wondering if you had a list of counselors you trust. One of my church members is in need of help. So, would you mind sharing those names with me please?” You don't have to reveal that the referral is for yourself and most often they will be glad to assist you.
There are websites that would offer some blind names in the Christian Counseling Realm. Some of the options are:
The American Association of Christian Counselors
The Christian Counselors Directory
The American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Focus on the Family also has a pastoral care phone line: 877-233-4455
Whenever names are obtained in a blind fashion several questions need to be asked of the potential therapists. Never take a therapist at face value if there has not been a personal reference .
Two questions that need to be asked are:
- “Is my problem of _______(depression, marital conflict, sexual abuse etc.) within your Scope of Practice?” A therapist has an ethical responsibility to inform you honestly if the presenting problem is or is not within his/her training and experience.
- “Help me understand, how do you integrate psychology and theology in your practice?” What you want to hear (without asking for it) is that they use Scriptural reference points in therapy and that they are willing to pray with you in the process of therapy. Integration of theology into the process of therapy is essential in dealing with all areas of life simultaneously – body, mind and spirit.