How to Choose a Christian Counselor
Why Should Your Christian Counselor be Licensed
By Samuel JG Miller, M.A., Th.D., LMHC, NCC
(Fl. Lic. #MH8884)
Pastoral Counselor, Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf Coast, Sarasota, FL.
Revised March 7, 2010
Whether you go to a licensed or unlicensed counselor is an important part of your decision to “hire” a psychotherapist. Knowing what the issues are in this regard will make your job of doing “due diligence” much easier when you select a personal counselor for yourself or for your family.
First, your counselor should be competent. Second, a Christian counselor should demonstrate theological soundness. Third, a really good Christian counselor should meet strict standards of professionalism and accountability. Fourth, respect for worldview diversity is essential.
Why might someone prefer to see an unlicensed Christian counselor? One reason could be a belief that licensed counselors are more secular in their approach than Christian. Another reason might be that the counselor(s) promoted by one’s Church or in the media may be unlicensed. Additionally, mistrust of “modern secular psychology” as incompatible with the Christian Faith could make unlicensed counselors seem safer.
In fact, licensure does not make Christian counselors more secular. As the licensing agent, the State does not dictate a counselor’s methods or beliefs. Licensure simply signifies that the Christian counselor under consideration meets the same high standards of practice as any non-Christian or “secular” counselor.
While it is natural to follow the lead of one’s pastor or of impressive media promotions, it is also wise to inform oneself about any prospective counselor’s training, qualifications, and methods. Licensure does indicate that a Christian counselor knows how to use the science of psychology in the service of a client’s mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Because faith is only strengthened, not weakened, by applying to the concerns of the Christian life the practical knowledge and skills that licensure represents, psychology is better understood not as an the enemy of faith, but as one of a Christian’s best friends.
To obtain and maintain licensure, a counselor must satisfy the most rigorous standards of his or her professional discipline with regard to education, training, experience, and demonstrated competence.
Theological soundness means fidelity to the Christian vision of life, or worldview, that the Church has preserved since the time of the Apostles. Christians have always had to be careful not to be led astray by false teaching. In our time, as in every Christian generation, right belief always affirms God’s use of natural (worldly) means for supernatural (eternal) ends. Licensure neither requires nor guarantees right Christian belief or practice on the part of the counselor. Licensure does provide valuable evidence, however, that the Christian counselor is well-prepared to equip clients with practical ways to not only strengthen their faith, but also to more fully live by it.
To the prospective counseling client, licensure is also the best and most trustworthy evidence that their counselor has met and maintains accountability to the highest of professional and ethical standards. The licensed counselor can rightfully claim to be a professional practitioner because he or she is certified by and responsible to maintain the high standards not only of his or her professional association but also of the State Board of Licensure. To maintain licensure, for example, Christian counselors who are licensed must continually meet rigorous standards for Continuing Education that are set and monitored by the State Board of Health Regulations.
The Christian counselor with licensure is professionally as well as morally obligated to respect the particular worldview of each and every client. Worldview refers to the client’s spirituality and personal philosophy of life. Respect for worldview diversity is also required by the Christian teaching that every person bears the image of God, which consists, in large measure, of the gifts of intelligence and free will. Licensure, then, says that your counselor is committed to a respectful, non-manipulative approach to the spiritual beliefs and outlook every client, regardless of religious or non-religious identification.
In conclusion, why should your Christian counselor be licensed? Frankly, you owe it to yourself to have every available assurance that the counselor you choose will meet the highest standards of competence, theological soundness, professionalism and accountability, and respect for worldview diversity. This is your life we are talking about; as a child of God who bears His image, you deserve nothing less!
