As a Christian, finding Christian-based counseling is crucial when seeking therapeutic services for yourself or a loved one. Christian counseling goes beyond traditional therapeutic measures to incorporate Biblical foundations and perspective into the therapy process. But before settling on any one Christian counselor, a little homework may go a long way in finding the therapist that’s right for you.

Is This Christian Therapist A Therapist?

It may seem obvious to even wonder if your therapist is actually a therapist, but people often forget to review their counselor’s credentials when looking for Christian counseling. When reviewing credentials, you will want to look for:

• What license your therapist holds
• What state is the license held in. Your therapist’s license should be from the state they are practicing in
• If the degree is from an accredited University
• What other credentials and professional memberships your therapist holds
• What types of problems your therapist has worked with

Is This Christian based counseling Therapist A practicing Christian?

Another seemingly obvious question that gets overlooked when looking for Christian based counseling is whether or not your therapist is a Christian. Just because they represent themselves as a Christian therapist doesn’t necessarily mean they believe or practice. Some hard-hitting questions to ask are:

• Do they have a statement of faith?
• Is your therapist recognized by the local church and faith-based community?
• Does your therapist attend church regularly? Who is their minister or pastor?
• What does your counselor believe about marriage, divorce and relationships?
• Does your therapist encourage reconciliation?
• Is prayer and Scripture used in their practice?

As much as the therapeutic process is about you and walking through your life’s journey, it’s just as critical to finding the right Christian counselor to guide you through its bumps. Don’t be scared to ask your therapist questions during your first session to get a feel if this is the right Christian counselor for you.

At Gateway Counseling Center, our Palm Beach Christian-based counseling services are recognized by South Florida Christian radio station WAY FM. Our Christian counselors are practicing in their beliefs and see every individual as a person of intrinsic value – no matter what their spiritual beliefs. At Gateway Counseling Center, we believe that the therapy process should be client-led, as ethical guidelines indicate it’s inappropriate for a therapist to influence their beliefs upon a client. However, we are here to listen and spiritually counsel as indicated by the client.

To learn more about Christian based counseling services at Gateway Counseling Center, call us today at 561-468-6464