In the past year alone, 41.7 million adults in the US have received some form of mental health services, therapy, or counseling, making it incredibly common and powerful.

There are several different types of therapy and counseling available out there, but one of the most interesting ones is Biblical counseling.

This form of therapy and counseling combines elements of psychology and Christian spirituality. But what exactly is Biblical counseling, and what makes it different from mainstream counseling and therapy? Let’s find out:

Defining and Understanding Biblical Counseling

Biblical counseling is a framework that uses the Bible to orient and align the issues that individuals, couples, and families go through.

It stems from the teaching of the Bible that teaches that negative actions, beliefs, emotions, and choices stem from a place of sin, human weakness, and selfishness that we are born with. This approach tends to address the source of the pain and ache, aka the heart and soul, using messages from within the Bible itself.

Training and education in Biblical counseling take a holistic view of people’s emotional, cognitive, and spiritual selves. It uses a Biblical approach and perspective to guide individuals onto a spiritual path and make decisions based on a spiritual point of view . The role of a Christian counseling education isn’t just to familiarize you with the language and tools that can be used in a faith-based model ; it also brings therapeutic principles rooted in science and medicine.

Unique Qualities of Biblical Counseling

Biblical counseling, while connected to wider frameworks and approaches, does have various distinguishing qualities that make it what it is today. In many ways, it’s a lot like traditional counseling or therapy, and in many others, it’s not. Here are some instances of that:

It acknowledges that the Bible comes from God

While different therapeutic approaches follow different schools of thought, theories, principles, and frameworks, Biblical and Christian counseling acknowledges and roots its beliefs in the thought that the Bible comes mostly from God. This makes for a core tenet of this system, and everything comes full circle to connect with this idea.

It relates the human experience with Biblical lessons and truth

As a result of that aforementioned belief, everything about the human experience, emotions, actions, and decisions is in relation to Biblical knowledge. This means that whatever problems clients are going through are examined in the light of the Bible, related to stories, instances, Psalms, and lessons from within the holy book. It’s a process that requires intelligent insights and the ability to locate the right passages to draw a meaningful parallel.

It offers an alternative to principles of counseling against the Bible

Many Christians may turn to Christian counseling education and services because beliefs in conventional therapy don’t align with their religious values. Biblical counseling offers a healthy, supportive, and meaningful alternative to those beliefs and principles that conflict with people’s faith. For instance, any counseling belief or principle that downplays the role of family, marriages, and the self will inevitably go against the teachings of the Bible.

This is not to say that Biblical counseling is regressive or controlling in any way–just that people have the right to alternative beliefs and practice ideas that align with their values even in therapy. That’s why there is increasing research in favor of religiously integrated CBT as well.

It’s centered on the belief that everyone is inherently good

While earlier we stated that this approach indicates that the Bible acknowledges that individuals are flawed due to their sins and human nature, they are inherently good too. Unlike mainstream therapy and counseling that maintain a neutral position on individuals’ natures and personalities, Biblical counseling has the core belief that everyone is inherently good.

There will always be room for forgiveness, reformation, and rebirth, and there will always be opportunities for people to renew themselves the way Christ did. It’s simply the Christian way, and why would counseling be any different? After all, Christian counselors will be the ones guiding them onto the straight and narrow.

It uses Biblical principles and messages to guide people

Speaking of guiding, Christian counseling college programs will teach you how to use tools, principles, and messages from within the Bible to help people.

You will learn to use Biblical ideas and practices to guide your clients in whatever context they require. For instance, using Biblical rulings and messaging on marriage and partnership to help marriage counseling clients and empowering those with trauma to heal based on faith.

It’s incredibly varied and inspiring, to say the least, and truly prepares you to help others through extensive experience and helps you learn a lot too.

It requires you, the counselor, to have spiritual maturity

While your own religious inclinations and beliefs are quite irrelevant in other therapy and counseling approaches, Biblical counseling is different. You should possess a certain degree of spiritual maturity and faith, trusting yourself and knowing that your beliefs are truthful.

It can be difficult to practice what you preach without that spiritual anchorage. This is why we encourage those enrolled in our Christian Counseling Academic Programs to practice their faith closely. If you’re not truly believing in what you teach and help others, it’s going to be difficult to bring authenticity to your work.

It is heavily focused on compassion, love, and empathy

This is not to say that all therapy and counseling are neutral and indifferent, but that Biblical counseling, in particular, focuses on love, compassion, and empathy. You will learn to open your heart and bring a sense of empathy and compassion toward your clients, who will often test you, make you question your faith, and feel conflicted about what you believe.

However, it also encourages you to extend that sense of love inward and allows you to open your heart to the love of the Bible and God.

Learn More About the Incredible World of Biblical Counseling with Us

We’ve designed some of the most comprehensive Christian counseling academic programs that train you in different facets of Biblical counseling and more. We’ve developed Doctorates, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees and certifications that allow you to get licensed and work as a professional.

Biblical counseling is incredibly comprehensive and based on systems of psychology and therapy, as well as Biblical and spiritual frameworks that allow you to empower and help the people you work with.

Take a look at our tuition fees, and register for our Christian counseling online programs specializing as a general counselor, marriage counselor, youth counselor, abuse expert, or more. It’s incredibly rewarding and helps you align your faith with your professional practice.