Biblical Counseling Christian Universities

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Biblical counseling is an intersection between the fields of theology and psychology. Biblical counselors tend to the emotional trauma, marital preparation, and spiritual development of clients. They offer services like couples counseling, family counseling, individual or group counseling, and spiritual discipleship or mentorship. The key to Biblical counseling, and what sets it apart from the rest of the psychological world, is that it uses only the Bible and Biblical teaching as it’s source for therapy and healing.

Students who choose to major in Biblical Counseling at a Christian college will be educated in both the fields of psychology and theology, learning to intertwine their understanding of the human psyche with Biblical teaching. They will be nurtured and challenged spiritually, encouraged to understand and have thorough knowledge of the Bible and how to apply it in various situations. Getting a Biblical Counseling degree from a Christian college will mean learning to see psychology, healing, and growth from a Biblical perspective and learning to communicate that to those in need.

Some Example Careers for those who major in Biblical Counseling:

• Pastoral Counseling: Pastoral Counseling is when a Biblical counselor is connected to a church and tends to the needs of the congregation. They may be a pastor or just a Biblical Counselor. They offer guidance and counseling to the members of the congregation in areas of emotional turmoil or trauma, behavioral issues, marriage counseling, or discipleship.
• Christian School/University Counselor: These are Biblical Counselors who serve at a Christian school or university, catering to the students and faculty in areas of emotional trauma or difficulties, behavioral issues, or even discipleship. Biblical counselors serving at Christian schools or Universities may offer individual counseling, support group sessions, or Bible studies.
• Christian Counseling Centers: Christian Counseling Centers offer guidance and emotional support to individuals, couples, and families, operating from a Biblical perspective. Biblical Counselors in these settings will aim to provide healing and progress using the Bible as their source. They may offer couples counseling, marriage counseling, individual counseling, group counseling, and spiritual discipleship.
• Biblical Counselor in Nonprofit Organization: Biblical Counselors in Nonprofit Organizations offer spiritual guidance using the Bible as their source for therapy and spiritual discipleship. They operate through non-profit organizations, ultimately seeking to provide healing, resilience, and spiritual development. Typically, their patients are individuals, however group settings are not uncommon. They often work for low cost or for free, as part of a donated service.
• Private Practice: Biblical Counselors may also work for a private practice, offering more individualized services for individuals, families, or couples. They use the Bible as their primary source for healing and discipleship, while also combining therapeutic techniques to their approach.
• Chaplaincy: A Chaplaincy for Biblical Counselors is when they work with a specific institution, like a hospital, prison, or military unit to provide spiritual guidance or emotional healing based on Biblical teachings. They work with individuals and institutions to promote spiritual healing, comfort, and resilience in their patients.
• Missionary Work: Biblical Counselors in Missionary Work usually work in cross-cultural settings, combing therapeutic goals of healing with sharing the gospel. They work with individuals and communities, using Biblical teachings as their focal point for both evangelism and promoting emotional and mental well-being, healing, and spiritual development. They often work with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, which requires exercised understanding and cultural sensitivity.

To find statistics for placement and success rates for graduates with a Biblical counseling degree, you’d have to check with individual institutions. While there are no overall statistics for the success of graduates who major in Biblical counseling, there are some key aspects that contribute to succeeding as a Biblical counselor.

Ultimately, success in any counseling role comes down to the outcome of the patients in your care. Do they improve? Do they feel cared for? Do they have a better understanding of themselves in the eyes of God and according to his word? Is Christ exalted through the process? Is there healing, both emotionally and spiritually? These are just some questions a Biblical counselor must keep in mind as they tend to God’s people.

A successful Biblical counselor must know the Word of God and its application, especially in different areas of emotional turmoil: loss, grief, anger, depression, trauma, and so on. Biblical counseling comes from the perspective that God’s word is sufficient to handle any problem we may encounter and treat it. This means their primary source for treating the broken and hurt is the Bible, so if you want to be a Biblical counselor, you need to know what you’re working with.

Biblical Counselors also need to be well-informed about psychology and sociology, with a good grasp on diverse cultures (specifically the cultures present in the areas they plan to work). Being able to connect with your patients comes from a place of understanding, empathy, and knowledge. Empathy is an important trait of a Biblical Counselor. The hurt don’t need to be told they are hurting—they need to be understood, comforted, and led into God’s embrace. Being able to empathize with someone’s pain opens the door to comforting them and speaking on what they have experienced.

Another important contributor to success is listening and humility. This takes place both in sessions with patients and with supervisors or peers. The ultimate goal is to facilitate Biblical healing, and sometimes we need others help or advice to get there. Being adaptable and willing to continue learning and receive constructive criticism is a key characteristic in a Biblical counselor.

Though success is difficult to track for those with a Biblical Counseling degree, the average salary for Biblical Counselors is around $52,978, so those who land an entry level positions can expect to make around that much within the first couple of years. With a few more years of experience, higher levels of education, and some possible certifications, the salary does rise considerably, especially to those in a private practice. However, an obvious career choice for someone with a Biblical Counseling degree is in the Church or Ministry.

Works Cited:

• “Biblical Counselor Salary.” ZipRecruiter, 9 July 2024, www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Biblical-Counselor-Salary. Accessed 9 Sept. 2024.

By Calli Wolfenden, Staff Writer
 

Where there are people, there is a need for counseling. No one is perfect, and one look at the Church and the people in it, that becomes clear. Biblical counselors offer guidance through difficulty and spiritual healing, which is absolutely essential in ministry and the Church.

Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Biblical Counseling has a clear place in the Church and in Ministry. Biblical counselors provide support and aid for the church members in areas like spiritual mentorships, grief or trauma counseling, family or marriage counseling, premarital counseling, and addiction recovery. Biblical counselors are an integral part of a thriving Church, usually meaning that there are more than one of them. They serve God and his people by providing much needed counseling, directing people back to the Word of God and facilitating Biblical healing and relationship with Him.

A Biblical counseling degree is also a great tool for ministry and mission work. Biblical counselors are trained and have the tools and know how to help new Christians connect with God and understand how His Word applies to them and the situations and culture they are in. For relief missions, aid, or post-disaster ministry, Biblical counselors help victims work through trauma or loss and find healing in the Word of God. The applications of a Biblical counseling degree in the Church and in ministry are numerous and incredibly important.

Those who choose to major in Biblical Counseling have the potential to listen, empathize, and search the Word of God, guiding others into deeper connection with the Father and facilitating Biblical healing and spiritual development. Their impact is profound wherever they are employed. If you are interested in the world of psychology, a good communicator, and passionate about instilling Biblical healing and well-being in others, then a Biblical Counseling degree may be just the thing for you!