Questions to Ask When Choosing a Counselor
Is God’s Word the source
of their counsel? Is the Bible seen as being one truth
among many other truths, or is it the most reliable place for real
help? Find a counselor that is convinced that real truth applied to
real problems brings about real change. Lives are changed as the
truth of God, as revealed in His word, is applied to the toughest
problems.
Is the counselor
biblically sound? Most counseling errors stem from the
fact that the counselor has views of God, change, problems, etc.,
which are shaped more by culture and Pop-Psychology than by God’s
Word. Sound theology should shape their psychology rather than the
other way around.
Is the counselor committed
to growth and change, or are they more interested in endless
discussions about the problem? Many counselors are
good at “diagnosing” but don’t have answers for change. What
results is “Diagnostic Damnation.” Seek out a counselor that is
more concerned with God honoring change, than with labels.
Will the counselor lead me
to answers found in God’s Word, or tell me the answers are within
me? Most of the 250 commonly used approaches to
counseling assume “…the answers are found within.” Find a
counselor who understands that the Bible teaches that we need
outside counsel from God and His revealed truth. They should point
people to real answers, not more self-focus.
Is the counselor
well-trained? Find a counseling center that is
well-trained in Biblical counseling. They should provide in-house
training in addition to the degrees they have already received.
Please check out the ABC network to help locate a Biblical
counseling center in your area.
Will the counselor honor
my marriage? Much marriage counseling today is really
divorce counseling. Counselors split couples up to work on
“individual issues” with the end result being the couple growing
further apart. Ask the counselor if they take seriously the
commandment to “…not separate what God has joined together.”
Couples should be counseled together and work toward real changes
that will grow the worst marriages into marriages that sing.
Will the counselor honor my authority as a
parent? Some counselors meet alone with children, and
do not include parents in the process. Find out if the counselor
will counsel kids with their parents present as well, because we
believe it to be the best way to implement real change. Biblical
counseling equips parents to lead their children.
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