Advice From the Pro's...

Explore the many forms of ministry and how you can serve, too.

I’m really interested in Christian Counseling. What does a counselor do? Where do counselors work? How do I get started?

Counseling is about helping people who are struggling with the circumstances of their lives. Authorities in the field have estimated that there are over 400 approaches or models of counseling. Being able to assess these models for their appropriate use within the framework of a solid theology is important to the Christian Counselor. Knowing how to have conversations with people who come to a counselor in ways that help them to manage the problems in their lives is a key aspect of being a counselor. Christian Counselors function in many settings, and take on many tasks from dealing with personal issues, family conflict, behavior problems, depression, issues of childhood, marriage preparation, the challenges of aging, and other life cycle struggles etc. Larger congregations often employ an individual or individuals as a counselor, available to the members of the church. Some Christian counselors work in “Pastoral Care” centers. These ministries are usually supported by several churches in a community that looks to the counselors as resources for the members of their congregation. Other Christian counselors work in secular institutions such as social service agencies and public schools where they seek to provide good counseling, and also are often challenged by the desire to incorporate their Christian values in a public setting. Others become chaplains in settings such as hospitals and the military. Additionally, more and more corporations are hiring chaplains to care for their employees.

Licensure in counseling typically requires at least a Master’s Level Degree of education. Individuals interested in a career in counseling would be wise to earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Psychology, Sociology, or Family Science. With an appropriate undergraduate degree the most important step in choosing a program for the Master’s Degree is to think through the particular “brand” of counseling that one wants to be trained in. Some programs prepare students for Social Work, some for individualistic Psychology, some for Marriage and Family Therapy etc. Be sure to find out which license the program will prepare you for, then interview counselors who practice with that license, asking that they discuss with you what it is like to work in that position.

It is particularly important for the Christian who wants to be a counselor to think about how the license and position they are interested in will impact their faith, and give them the opportunity to bless others. In choosing a college or university its important to know that some Christian institutions have programs that will move the student toward licensure in the secular field, while others may not. Additionally, some secular institutions will be more encouraging of the student’s Christian perspective than others. Whether the student chooses the secular training, or finds preparation in a Christian setting, sound theological reflection on the vocation of counseling should be the ultimate concern.

Dr. Jack Holland

Assistant Professor of Christian Care and Counseling

Emmanuel School of Religion