Randall Murphree
AFA Journal editor
September 2011 – AFA Journal interviewed Dr. Tim Clinton, president of American Association of Christian Counselors, about the role of Christian counseling in today’s culture. Each year, between 40 and 50 thousand counselors are involved with AACC. Light University, an AACC affiliate, has trained more than 150 thousand church leaders, both clergy and laity.
AFA Journal: Some argue that the gospel is all people need. Is there a biblical basis for Christian counseling?
Tim Clinton: I grew up under the teaching of my father, a pastor who preached the gospel. I couldn’t agree more that the vital need of the human heart is the gospel. People need the Lord, and it’s in Christ that we find true healing and can move forward.
The progressive and maturing challenge of sanctification – of making disciples – is done by various means including preaching, teaching, healing, helping, leading and miracles (1 Corinthians 12: 27-30). What I love about Christian counseling is that it intersects with many of these functions.
Whether it’s the guy who is caught up in a pornography addiction, the woman who has been sexually abused, the couple who is going through marriage problems or someone wrestling with attention deficit disorder, Christian counseling offers insights, direction and hope for many issues that the church has often not addressed.
AFAJ: How do you define Christian counseling?
TC: First of all, Christian counseling is done by those who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and who approach behavioral issues from a Christian worldview. This form of counseling recognizes that God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are always present in the counseling relationship with the counselor and the client. Christian counseling has one ultimate concern: helping clients mature in Christ (Ephesians 4:12-16) and grow into a deeper intimacy with God and with one another (John 17:9-13; Colossians 1:27). Christian counselors use therapeutic interventions to address difficult life issues, while committing themselves to the authority of God’s Word. His Word is our grid.
Secondly, Christian counselors seek to understand human nature from a biblical perspective, including how people are influenced in everyday life and what factors contribute to their health or sense of chaos and brokenness. The Christian counselor serves to refocus, facilitate, instruct and reinforce client action toward healing.
AFAJ: In light of media’s animosity toward Christianity, how is Christian counseling perceived in the mental health field?
TC: Overall, with skepticism. However, the media’s hostility toward Christianity is one thing, but in terms of seeking mental health care and providing it, faith and spirituality are escalating.
Many mental health providers are realizing the significance that faith and spirituality have in competent care. There was once a huge faith gap between those who were seeking mental health services (who were spiritually oriented) and those who provide care (who may not have been). But that gap is closing. A significant number of mental health providers are identifying with their faith, and bringing their faith into their practice.
AFAJ: How does one earn professional credentials as a Christian counselor?
TC: First of all, AACC does not grant licenses or credentials. We are an organization which provides resources and services and opportunities for counselors.
Credentialing is a voluntary process a person goes through to meet minimal standards for a certain level of competence in a specialty area through an independent professional organization. If God has given you the gift of helping, and you desire to counsel in a church or ministry setting, pursuing a national voluntary credential through the Board of Christian, Professional and Pastoral Counselors (endorsed by AACC) is a wonderful way to gain credibility. (Visit www.thebcppc.net.)
Licensing is a regulatory process governed by each state to ensure competent mental health care services to the constituents of that state. Standards are set through educational programs and regulated through state licensing.
AFAJ: How does one insure that he has found a Christian counselor – one who not only respects but will use his faith in the counseling process?
TC: Ask. You have every right to know your counselor’s credentials, background and theoretical orientation, as well as his perspective on spirituality within the counseling process. Don’t assume that your counselor is a Christian dedicated to honoring God and using the Bible and the spiritual disciplines in counseling. Counseling works best with someone you like and are comfortable with, and you are investing too much time and money in this effort to accept anything less. You are paying the bills, and you are in charge.
AFAJ: What are the greatest challenges a Christian counselor is likely to face in practice?
TC: First is to remain faithful to God and to His revelation in the Scriptures. It takes spiritual discipline every day to mature in Christ and offer His hope to others.
Second, remain ethically responsible with every client. Some cases that come our way are very complex and require a lot of wisdom and personal and spiritual energy. Offering insightful and effective help demands ongoing training, supervision, consultation and personal growth.
Third is to recognize that we can’t help everyone. There are times when we need to seek outside direction and collaboration or refer our clients to someone who can more adequately help them. It is the desire of a Christian counselor to help, but we must help with humility.
AFAJ: Does the counselor sometimes need a counselor – as a pastor often needs a pastor?
TC: I have always recommended that counselors stay involved in ongoing supervision groups and peer interaction, go to association meetings like those of AACC (See below.), and stay current with continuing education.
AFAJ: What are the most common issues a Christian counselor is likely to encounter in clients?
TC: Depression, anxiety and relationship troubles are typically the big three issues. The battle for the mind, especially spiritually, often includes disillusionment with God and a struggle to continue believing and trusting Him, even when life doesn’t make sense.
Many clients, especially those never having gone through counseling before, are confused and fearful about the counseling process. They need consistent reinforcement and supportive interaction to help them get to a place where they feel more comfortable with the process and can actually see and measure positive change.
One area of huge concern inside the church right now is the whole issue of pornography because of the Internet and its accessibility online. Mark Laaser, whom I regard as one of the leading sex addiction experts in the world, believes that many who are sitting in the pews on Sunday morning are full-blown sex addicts.
AFAJ: If I am convinced I need Christian counseling, how do I proceed?
TC: The first thing to do is to talk with your pastor or trusted spiritual friends who may know of a good Christian counselor in your area. Ask them whom they would recommend.
Secondly, seek out names under “Counseling” or “Mental health services” in local yellow pages and similar directories. You can also go to our AACC Web site.
AFAJ: How much will counseling cost me?
TC: While not all kinds of counseling are covered or reimbursed by insurance, many are. It depends on the type of professional you are seeking – psychologist, psychiatrist, marriage and family therapist, etc.
If you do not have insurance, check with different Christian counseling clinics. Sometimes they do pro bono work and offer a certain number of counseling hours each month free.
Also, seek out local church-based counseling practices. A lot of counselors practice out of churches as a ministry of the church. If you are able to receive effective help from pastoral counselors or church staff, you may pay nothing for such service or from $30 to $80 per hour. A lot of churches also offer Christian recovery and support groups at no cost.
Generally speaking, rates will vary from $75 to $125 per hour for masters level practitioners, $90 to $150 per hour for psychologists and doctoral level therapists, and $130 to $280 per hour for psychiatrists. But don’t let these costs discourage you. Many clients are able to use their health insurance to make partial payment of these bills.
AFAJ: What unique elements allow Christian counseling to have a deep impact on the client?
TC: The elements unique to Christian counseling include divine revelation and the power of God’s Word in guiding us in how to live (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119). It is a divine love story that tells us of how God pursues our hearts and how we can have a relationship and grow in Him. The Bible is our standard for truth and our anchor for understanding human behavior.
Therapeutic alignment is another powerful element in Christian counseling. Having a counselor who matches up with the client on faith and spiritual issues provides an opportunity for better therapeutic outcomes and client growth. 
AACC 2011 World Conference
▶ September 28-October 1
▶ Opryland Hotel, Nashville
▶ Hear Luis Palau, Josh McDowell, Garry Smalley, Mike Huckabee and many more.
▶ Register at www.aacc.net or 888-777-6779.
