Ethical guidelines of counseling clearly indicate it is inappropriate for a therapist to influence or impose his/her beliefs upon a client. There are a number of factors that have led professional associations to create these boundaries, such as violating a client’s right to make autonomous choices and encouraging a client’s dependency upon a therapist. However, the consequences of these actions has resulted in the elimination of spiritual discussion or anything spiritually related during counseling sessions. Ironically, the refusal to examine spiritual issues and matters of faith is an imposition of a worldview in an of itself.

Research over the last several decades clearly indicates 80-90% of clients desire to have their spiritual beliefs not only respected but incorporated into their treatment through Christian Counseling. Due to this fact, many clinicians have become much more open to doing so by offering faith-based counseling within their practices. I encounter many clients who indicate they have chosen our services because both my father and I are individuals of faith. As such, we are willing and equipped to integrate the client’s particular system of faith as a resource to assist in attaining their therapeutic goals – often when their last therapist was opposed to.

We feel strongly that refusing to explore faith or impel one’s beliefs upon a client are both boundary violations of the therapeutic relationship. Contrastingly, we adhere to a value-informed counseling approach. We inform our clients we are Christians and this will influence how we interact with them, such as by viewing them as a person of intrinsic worth and value and believing their life has meaning and purpose.

Many of our clients seek us out because they have heard from former clients we are both faith-based and clinically professional. Furthermore, they desire to have Christian counseling principles and interventions included in their treatment. Just as with any client, we employ an individualized approach when integrating faith into treatment. Within Christianity, there is a considerable divergence of strong opinion regarding theological matters. This is not our role, and we will refuse to debate such issues. Our responsibility is to respect each person’s views and identify ways to utilize them for assistance with their current distress.

Christian Marriage Counseling

What is Christian marriage counseling?

Christian marriage counseling is a faith-based approach to helping couples who are struggling with relationship issues.

How is Christian marriage counseling different from other marriage counseling?

Other counselors have a moral and legal obligation not to impose their religion on those seeking help. However, Christian marriage counseling is based on Christian values and teachings. A Christian marriage counselor views marriage as a sacred gift from God.

When should a couple seek Christian marriage counseling?

Couples should seek counseling sooner rather than later if they feel like their relationship is struggling.

What issues can a Christian marriage counselor help resolve?

There are many issues that can lead to a struggling marriage. Some issues that couples often face and seek counseling for are:

• An inability to communicate meaningfully
• Unhealthy conflict resolution
• A lack of compromise between partners
• Uncertainty about the roles of each partner in the relationship
• Disagreements over household and parenting matters
• Deceitful behavior
• Pornography
• Infidelity
• Addiction

Can engaged couples benefit from Christian marriage counseling?

Of course. Christian marriage counseling can help partners build the foundations of a strong and happy marriage. Couples are encouraged to enter their sacred bond of marriage prepared for the journey.

Is Christian Marriage Counseling Effective?

Yes, there is hope for your marriage through counseling. It has been proven that marriage counseling is an effective way to work through a couple’s problems. There are even reports showing that 75% of couples who attended Christian marriage counseling were better off as a couple than similar married couples who did not go to counseling. Other studies show that more than half of married couples who attended counseling together reported significant improvement in their marriages.

There is a very good chance that Christian marriage counseling will benefit your marriage, especially if you are in a situation that feels hopeless. Keeping that in mind, you don’t have much to lose given the situation. You only have a lot to gain if your marriage is salvaged. A competent, experienced Christian Marriage counselor will help you explore your troubled relationship and support your resolution of the issues you have in a biblical way.

What Can Christian Marriage Counseling Accomplish?

When you need to work out an issue in your marriage, it can be challenging to try and fix the problem yourself. A knowledgeable counselor has seen it all, and is often aware of how the problem started and can formulate a plan of action to take to help get your marriage back on track.

What happens in a counseling session?

You may worry about going to counseling because you’ve never experienced it and are not sure what to anticipate. Actually, you may anticipate the counselor to act judgmental or just not understand what you are going through. Of course a counseling session will differ somewhat with regards to the experience and specializations of the counselor, but a qualified Christian Marriage Counselor will act pleasantly toward both of you without judging. Your counselor will ask you both concerns and help you try to get on the same mindset in the marriage while providing an unbiased viewpoint and developing a secure environment to allow you and your spouse to be observed.

 What Christian Marriage Counseling Can Accomplish

There are many advantages to counseling, and particularly to Christian Marriage Counseling:

You can figure out how to take care of issue in a good and balanced way. In marriage counseling you can gain better interaction abilities that will help you not only pay attention to your partner but, to also understand his or her body language to really hear what your partner is saying.

You can learn how to condition your needs clearly and freely without anger. You can be taught how to connect assertively without being competitive or unpleasant. Both partners need to be able to discuss their issues without worry of hurting the other partner’s feelings. In marriage counseling, you will realize that you can show what you need without having to fight.

Getting your emotions out into the open with the help of a qualified expert may be all you need. You might discover that your partner is more than willing to work out the issues together to fix the problems in the marriage. You may also discover that your partner is reluctant to do the work. You will find that you have options you may not have thought about before.

You can create a further understanding of who your partner and what his/her needs are. Better yet, you will likely comprehend more greatly who you yourself are and what your own needs are and how to go about getting your needs met in healthier methods in the relationship. Christian Marriage Counseling can show you those abilities while tracking your success, mediating issues and providing valuable feedback.

Making the choice to seek counseling just may keep you from making a mistake you will later regret, such as separation or divorce. If you are considering divorce, and want a biblical way to make things better, contact Gateway Counseling where you can meet with a Christian Counselor to help you get to a better mental state.

If you would like to set up an appointment for Christian Counseling or Christian Marriage Counseling fill out our contact form and we will get back to you shortly.