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Why Should Your Christian In fact, licensure does not make Christian
Counselor be Licensed? counselors more secular. As the licensing
agent, the State does not dictate a
By Samuel JG Miller, M.A., Th.D., LMHC counselor’s methods or beliefs. Licensure
(Fl. Lic. #MH8884) simply signifies that the Christian counselor
under consideration meets the same high
Staff Therapist/Pastoral Counselor,
standards of practice as any non-Christian
Samaritan Counseling Services of the Gulf
or “secular” counselor.
Coast, Sarasota, FL.
While it is natural to follow the lead of one’s
13-Sep-08
pastor or of impressive media promotions, it
is also wise to inform oneself about any
prospective counselor’s training,
Whether you go to a licensed or unlicensed qualifications, and methods. Licensure does
counselor is an important part of your indicate that a Christian counselor knows
decision to “hire” a psychotherapist. how to use the science of psychology in the
Knowing what the issues are in this regard service of a client’s mental, emotional, and
will make your job of doing “due diligence” behavioral health. Because faith is only
much easier when you select a personal strengthened, not weakened, by applying to
counselor for yourself or for your family. the concerns of the Christian life the
First, your counselor should be competent. practical knowledge and skills that
licensure represents, psychology is better
Second, a Christian counselor should
understood not as an the enemy of faith, but
demonstrate theological soundness. Third, a
as one of a Christian’s best friends.
really good Christian counselor should meet
strict standards of professionalism and To obtain and maintain licensure, a
accountability. Fourth, respect for worldview counselor must satisfy the most rigorous
diversity is essential. standards of his or her professional
discipline with regard to education,
Why might someone prefer to see an training, experience, and demonstrated
unlicensed Christian counselor? One reason competence.
could be a belief that licensed counselors are
more secular in their approach than Theological soundness means fidelity to the
Christian. Another reason might be that the Christian vision of life, or worldview, that
counselor(s) promoted by one’s Church or the Church has preserved since the time of
in the media may be unlicensed. the Apostles. Christians have always had to
Additionally, mistrust of “modern secular be careful not to be led astray by false
psychology” as incompatible with the teaching. In our time, as in every Christian
Christian Faith could make unlicensed generation, right belief always affirms God’s
counselors seem safer. use of natural (worldly) means for
supernatural (eternal) ends. Licensure
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neither requires nor guarantees right regardless of religious or non-religious
Christian belief or practice on the part of identification.
the counselor. Licensure does provide
In conclusion, why should your Christian
valuable evidence, however, that the
counselor be licensed? Frankly, you owe it
Christian counselor is well-prepared to
to yourself to have every available assurance
equip clients with practical ways to not
that the counselor you choose will meet the
only strengthen their faith, but also to more
highest standards of competence,
fully live by it.
theological soundness, professionalism and
To the prospective counseling client, accountability, and respect for worldview
licensure is also the best and most diversity. This is your life we are talking
trustworthy evidence that their counselor about; as a child of God who bears His
has met and maintains accountability to the image, you deserve nothing less!
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,
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