DIFFERENT TYPES OF PASTORAL COUNSELORS
Photo by Ben White on UnsplashSome pastoral counselors are pastors with a degree in theology and some education in counseling, with the greater educational emphasis being on teaching the Bible. Often this is because they are either a pastor or an associate of a church. The primary difference between a pastoral counselor board certified by the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) and other pastoral counselors is that NCCA board certified pastoral counselors have a degree in counseling and education in theology, but with the greater educational emphasis being on counseling. Additionally, NCCA board certified pastoral counselors must also complete a supervised counseling internship, once they obtain a minimum of a bachelor's degree in counseling, and complete continuing education annually to maintain their certification with the NCCA.
ARE PASTORAL COUNSELORS AND BIBLICAL COUNSELORS THE SAME?
Photo by Josh Applegate on UnsplashThe answer to this question is both "yes" and "no". NCCA board certified pastoral counselors and biblical counselors are both educated in biblical counseling. However, biblical counselors are typically pastoral counselors that hold to a nouthetic form of pastoral counseling that completely rejects psychology. NCCA board certified pastoral counselors, in contrast, are educated in the integrated use of psychology from a biblical world view. NCCA board certified pastoral counselors are also certified and trained in the use of Creation Therapy, a therapeutic method that was researched and developed by the NCCA specifically for use in the church and by the Christian community. However, because biblical counselors typically are not educated in the use of psychology and/or completely reject the use of psychology and therapeutic methods in their practice, they typically do not offer or use even Creation Therapy.
The NCCA believes that, because psychology is the study of the human mind and its functions and God created the mind, there is no one better suited to the study of psychology than the Christian. The NCCA holds to a "don't throw the baby out with the bath water" mentality in regard to psychology because, while some methods of secular psychology clearly do not line up with the Word of God and need to be tossed out, those methods that do not contradict Scripture can be helpful and may be successfully integrated with biblical counseling. The NCCA believes that the Bible must be the foundation of every therapeutic method. Psychology can be extremely helpful, but psychology in and of itself cannot do what Scripture can do without inspiration from the Word of God. Natural revelation from scientific data can be helpful, but no scientific knowledge can produce results equal to those produced by the Word of God. The Bible is divine revelation. It is central to our techniques and always holds the final authority.
PASTORAL COUNSELOR VERSUS STATE LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR
Photo by Ben White on UnsplashMost states have regulatory laws concerning the practice of psychology. The primary difference between a pastoral counselor board certified* by the National Christian Counselors Association and a state licensed professional counselor (LPC) is that counselors licensed by the state are held to strict ethical standards which mandate an individual's right to be free from religious interference. The state licensed professional counselor is usually forbidden to pray, to read or refer to the Scriptures, and/or to counsel against certain moral issues based on religious (Christian) principles. The only time a state licensed counselor can legally involve religious principles, morals, and activities is when the counselee initiates or requests counsel in those areas. NCCA board certified pastoral counselors are educated in psychology from a biblical world view, whereas, state licensed counselors are educated in psychology from a secular world view. Additionally, NCCA board certified pastoral counselors are also educated in theology and are specifically trained to pray, to share their faith, to read the Bible, and to use spiritual principles from Scripture in their counseling practice.
Pastoral counselors in the state of Texas are exempt from the Licensed Professional Counselor Act under Section 503.056 of the Texas Occupation Code if they are employed or volunteer as a counselor with a public or private non-profit organization or charity, remain accountable to their sponsoring organization, and do not hold themselves out to be a counselor licensed by the Texas Board of Professional Counselors. NCCA board certified pastoral counselors are required to uphold the NCCA Code of Ethical Standards.
The NCCA requires all who are certified by its Board of Examiners to:
- Be credentialed ministers (ordained, licensed, or commissioned) whose goal is to evangelize and ease the emotional pain and suffering of humanity
- Provide their service under the authority of a legally organized local church, a national religious organization, or a non-profit Christian organization
- Complete specialized training provided by the NCCA
- Complete the minimum requirement of 12 continuing education (CE) credits annually to maintain their certification with the NCCA
VARYING CHRISTIAN COUNSELING METHODS
The following information is provided to compare and contrast the key differences between the three types of Christian counseling mentioned here, to help you decide if pastoral counseling is right for you:
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