How do we find a Christian marriage counselor?
A Christian marriage counselor is someone who has been trained to help you and your partner work through marital difficulties and to do so from a Christ-centered and Biblical perspective. If you and your spouse are struggling right now, then visiting with a Christian marriage counselor might be a healthy and responsible next step to take. God wants you both to be happy, and you honor Him by working hard on your marital relationship. So here is some information that might help as you consider seeing a professional Christian marriage counselor.
Types of Christian marriage counselors:
Professional therapist (or Professional Christian marriage counselor)
A Christian marriage counselor who is a professional therapist has the academic credentials, experience, and professional certification that lets you know that they've been properly trained as a Christian marriage counselor. You should still do your homework about any Christian marriage counselor and their qualifications, and you might want to meet with them to make sure you feel good about working with them.
Pastoral Christian marriage counselor
A pastoral counselor is sometimes a member of an organization, "The American Association of Pastoral Counselors," that requires the same education and experience as is required of most professional Christian marriage counselors. Most of these people are ordained ministers with graduate training, and they often have direct connections with churches and parishes who refer them as qualified Christian marriage counselors.
Lay Christian marriage counselor
Many churches offer their congregation and people in their community free services by lay Christian marriage counselors. As is the case when choosing any Christian marriage counselor, it's important that you examine a person's training and credentials before going too far in the process of Christian marriage counseling.
Tips for choosing a Christian marriage counselor:
Here are some questions to ask when looking for a Christian marriage counselor:
- Which type of Christian marriage counselor do you think would be the best? A licensed professional Christian marriage counselor? A pastoral Christian marriage counselor? A lay Christian marriage counselor?
- What is the payment structure? Does the Christian marriage counselor accept insurance payment and is he/she accepted by your insurance? Is there a sliding scale based on ability to pay? Does you church assist people who need Christian marriage counseling?
- Is there a trusted pastor or friend who recommends this Christian marriage counselor?
- What kind of licensure or certification does the Christian marriage counselor have?
- What experience does the Christian marriage counselor have in dealing with your specific issue?
- It is also important to know some things about what this professing Christian marriage counselor believes and how that applies to the way that he or she practices their counseling. Psalm 1 declares, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly." You may call the Christian marriage counselor's office and tell them that you would like to ask the counselor some questions before you set up an appointment for Christian marriage counseling.
Christian marriage counseling can offer you and your marriage hope and new health. But choosing the right Christian marriage counselor for you is not a decision to be taken lightly. Pray together about your decision and use your best collective wisdom and discernment, then choose the Christian marriage counselor who feels right for both of you.
Note: Some of the above information about choosing a Christian marriage counselor has been adapted from http://www.christianadvice.net/christian-counselors-and-counseling-for-christians.htm.
Additional Resources:
http://www.healthfinder.gov/orgs/HR2417.htm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/
http://marriage.rutgers.edu
http://marriageandfamilies.byu.edu/
