2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Has your light become dimmer over the years? Are you struggling to find your true path and calling? Do you wish for guidance from a trained professional who will understand and respect that your number one priority is building a relationship with God?
If so, you are definitely not alone. More and more of my clients are looking for faith-based counselling that can heal the mind and the soul. They want to be able to not only discuss the issues they are having but also openly discuss God, the Bible, and their belief in the power of prayer.
And I am not the only counselor who has noticed that people prefer to seek guidance from those who support, rather than challenge, their faith. In fact, according to a nationwide survey by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), 83% of Americans believe their spiritual faith and religious beliefs are closely tied to their state of mental and emotional health.
Three-quarters have stated it's important for them to work with a therapist who integrates their values and beliefs into the counselling process. And more respondents said they would prefer to see a religious counselor (29%) than a psychiatrist (27%), psychologist (17%), or family doctor (13%).
Selecting the Right Faith-Based Counselor to Work With
Just as no two people are alike, no two faith-based counselors are alike either. They will differ on a few different things:
- How much religious training (if any) they have had.
- How much religion is incorporated into their practice.
- The populations they serve.
- Their psychological expertise.
Beyond this, some faith-based therapists aim to holistically integrate the mind, body, and spirit of people of all faiths, while others focus solely on applying scripture to modern-day problems instead of social sciences.
If you or someone you love is interested in exploring faith-based treatment, please be in touch with me. I would be happy to discuss how I may be able to help. In my practice, all faiths are welcome.