If you were to Google “Christian counselors near me”, you would find professionals who take very different approaches to counseling.
While Christians practice virtually every form of counseling, they generally fit into four main types. Some counselors may fit in between the lines or think the generalizations are unfair, but these approaches cover the vast majority of Christian counselors. I also invited other counseling professionals to speak into this article to make sure I represent each type accurately.
You need to understand these different approaches whether you’re looking for a Christian counselor, suggesting one to others, or wanting to become one. Depending on which type you choose, you can expect very different practices and results.
Below I describe each of the four approaches and some of their differences.
Overview of the Types
1. Clinical Counselors
Some people call themselves Christian counselors because they are Christians who practice psychology or social work as their profession. They are Christians in their personal lives and beliefs but function as clinicians in their professional roles. In reality, they aim to make people feel comfortable by keeping their personal beliefs separate from their professional practice.
You typically won’t find Christian language on their websites, nor is faith a significant theme in their counseling. They focus on current research in “evidence-based treatments” and strive to provide competent care to improve people’s lives.
They also look to the American Psychological Association (APA) and state governing bodies as the authorities overseeing their professional practice. Their clinical training often includes developmental testing, cognitive assessments, and collaboration with medical professionals and psychiatrists.
2. Christian Integrated Counselors
These counselors are typically trained at conservative Christian universities where they are encouraged to incorporate Christian values into their clinical practice. They are practicing Christians in their personal lives and intentionally seek to help clients find greater meaning and joy in life.
When working with Christian clients, their counseling often includes discussions about the role of faith and Christian practice, though this is not necessarily the central focus.
Most integrated counselors operate under state regulations within the mental health system and function separately from the churches they serve in professional settings. They view themselves as serving both churches and individuals.
3. Clinically Informed Biblical Counselors
In recent years, some biblical counselors have begun using additional descriptors to specify the type of biblical counseling they provide. One of the most common is “clinically informed.” Clinically informed biblical counselors (CIBCs) are more open to insights from clinical research while still viewing Scripture as the ultimate authority on all issues of living.
Many CIBCs place greater emphasis on physiological treatments and the ways trauma affects both the body and soul. While they respect clinical research, they interpret findings through a biblical lens, asking how the Bible would guide responses to such insights.
4. Classical Biblical Counselors
When most people hear the term “biblical counseling,” this approach comes to mind. Classical biblical counselors believe that renewing the mind through Scripture is the key to addressing all life struggles.
They tend to separate medical concerns from spiritual ones and focus on intentional conversations about how to navigate life in a fallen world. They view counseling as a process of spiritual growth and sanctification.
Unlike other counseling approaches, they rarely incorporate psychological research, believing that the humanistic worldview of psychology leads people away from God and His Word. Their authority is Scripture, and they see the church as responsible for teaching and applying biblical truth through counseling.
The chart below is a simple overview of the four types of Christian counseling.
| Traditional Psychology Based Models by Christian Counselors | Discipleship or Biblically Focused Ministry Models by Christian Counselors | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Clinical Counseling | Christian Integrated Counseling | Clinically Informed Biblical Counseling | Classical Biblical Counseling |
| Approach | Evidence-based clinical treatments and psychological testing to bring relief and higher functioning | Mostly clinical treatments with integrated Christian principles to bring relief and higher functioning | Addressing the heart with Christian principles, clinical research and physiological treatments | Discipleship conversations that reorient sinful hearts towards God’s glory by ministering comfort & hope amid suffering |
| Located | Clinical settings | Clinical / Closer to the church | Para-church / Inside of the church | Para-church / Inside of the church |
| Goal | Mental health, symptom relief, and improved function | Mental health, client stated goals, and spiritual growth if desired | Sanctification and experiencing god’s comfort in suffering and problems of living | Sanctification and experiencing God’s comfort in suffering and problems of living |
| Bible | No Scripture engagement | Infrequent Scripture engagement | High Scripture engagement | High Scripture engagement |
| Sin | Not the counselors role | Some concern | High concern | High concern |
| Gospel | Not shared in most settings | Sometimes shared if invited | Consistently shared | Consistently shared |
| Groups | APA and CACREP school programs | AACC, CAPS | ABC, CCEF | ACBC, IABC |
Please note: This chart speaks to the general practices of each group and there are often variations within each group. It illustrates how different groups prioritize and incorporate aspects of the Christian faith as they counsel. In clinical settings, many counselors draw a distinction between their personal beliefs and professional counseling practices.
Additional Questions and Clarifications
What are the biggest differences between Biblical Counseling and Clinical or Christian Integrated Counseling?
Clinical counseling defines success in a different way than biblical counseling. Clinical counseling focuses on what is “normal vs. abnormal.” Biblical counseling asks what brings honor and glory to God and best demonstrates his love for our neighbor. Clinical counseling asks what the client hopes to accomplish, while biblical counseling focuses on how to live with trusting faith and obedience to Christ in our trials.
Most integrated counselors spend more time focusing on clinical counseling techniques rather than the application of biblical principles to the problems of living. Those we counsel often tell us that biblical counseling differs significantly from what they experienced in clinical or integrated counseling.
How different are CIBC and Classical Biblical Counseling?
While BCC has some differences from those in CIBC, we have much more common ground and often benefit from the resources written by those in CIBC circles. One difference is the willingness to utilize physiological treatments such as EMDR or Relaxation exercises.
Our experience is that the most critical factor leading to success in counseling is the careful application of biblical principles motivated by a love for God. We don’t practice physiological exercises in counseling, but we recognize that physical health is important in living out God’s plan for our lives. Good social science and good biblical application often complement one another rather than contradict.
What questions should I consider when choosing a counseling approach?
- Do I view discussions of faith as an essential part of the counseling process?
- Do I view the Bible as having the most trustworthy, practical solutions to life’s trials?
- Do I view the Gospel as the source of transformation for lasting change?
- Am I willing to have a counselor confront areas of sin in my life?
Conclusion
Since our beginning, BCC has sought to glorify God through careful counseling using a classical biblical counseling approach. We are serious and professional counselors, and many of our counselors have significant clinical training, but none emphasize clinical techniques in how we counsel.
We often say that counseling growth happens when we experience wise friends “speaking the truth in love, over time, in community.” (Ephesians 4) We also use terms like “restorative discipleship” (Galatians 6:1-2) and “intensified, personalized discipleship.”
The conversations we are most passionate about relate to how Christ offers us hope and help in our times of need. Our greatest hope is in the transforming power of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) and the wisdom found through applying His word. (James 1:22)
We don’t see that spending long periods on clinical descriptions brings the greatest hope, so we try to have more helpful conversations. We pray with and for those we counsel, and we trust God to finish the work that He has started.
If you or someone you know needs counseling, learn more and schedule an appointment today! Our counselors have availability within the next week at our in-person Chicago offices or online.
