Welcome You are here because you are trying to sort out some issues facing you as you contemplate becoming a Christian counselor. Maybe it s for a friend or spouse. You ve researched the internet, asked for advice from pastors, friends or trusted confidants and are feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities. You know that you want some training in Christian counseling, but it is a daunting task to try to pick the best option. Maybe you are starting out on your research and don t know what issues are important. Or, you may have been at this for awhile and just when you think you re close to a decision, new thoughts, doubts or tidbits of information once again cloud the issue. It s a big decision and you don t want to start something and decide that you have headed down the wrong path. You may have many questions that need answers. Or, maybe you re not even sure of what questions you should be asking. In this article, we re going to cover 8 major concerns and issues that should be on your radar screen as you contemplate this new venture: 1. Will I need a degree? 2. Should I attend a brick and mortar institution or enroll in a distance learning program? 3. Do I need licensing? If so, what type is best? 4. How important is a degree from the right college or seminary? 5. Do I need to be ordained as a minister? Should I? 6. What are the financial considerations? 7. Do I want to counsel under others or be my own boss?
We understand that you want to make the very best decision for you, given your aspirations and life circumstances today. If God has truly called you to explore training and equipping in Christian Counseling, we want to help. We have compiled a list of questions that many of our students have addressed. Because we offer a distance-learning program, we do not have to answer all of the questions listed but the student has had to sort these out on their own. Each issue raises questions that only you can answer, As you prayerfully research and answer these questions, we are confident that the Lord will reveal the very best course of action for you! Let s get started
Question #1: Will I Need A Degree? I do maintenance work on my car from time but do not consider myself a mechanic. That word connotes a level that is well beyond my level of expertise. I have heard people in the Body of Christ call themselves counselors and people rarely challenge them on the term. People can counsel others with the word of God and be very practical and helpful. Some people, typically those who are unwilling to make an investment, mock seminary and book training because they are content to be taught by the Spirit. We think that is a dangerous road to follow and people can easily be led astray by their own desires or by the spiritual enemies of their soul, the demonic realm. Obtaining a degree in Christian Counseling from an accredited seminary or University offers the following benefits: 1. Credentials matter to many people who are seeking help. They want to see your diploma and licensure hanging on your office wall (if you have an office!). They are going to be opening up their lives and souls to you and want to know that they are in trusting and capable hands with some reasonable expectation of getting helped. 2. A Masters or Ph.D. level degree is typically required in most paid Church positions or Counseling Centers. There are licensing and insurance issues that accompany this level of training but if you want to receive remuneration for your services, you will need this level of training. 3. You have studied to show yourself approved. 1 Tim 3:8 reminds us that the word of God is useful for training and teaching. Biblically-based Christian counseling and training programs will help equip you to help
people more effectively. Because of the additional course requirements, you are going to be better prepared. 4. License-only programs may be adequate for most lay environments. If your goal is to minister in your local church under that spiritual covering, then a license-only program may be the only credential you will need. Many churches do not require this at all and just select lay counselors based upon their age, wisdom, life experience and perceived healthy walk with the Lord. Bottom line: If you are considering Christian counseling as a vocation or incomegenerating field, you will need a Masters Degree, as a minimum. If you want to counsel within the confines of your own church, you should check with the pastor for any specific requirements of the church or denomination.
Question #2: Should I attend a brick and mortar institution or enroll in a distance learning program? There is an expanding library of distance-learning programs available for many fields of study, including Christian Counseling. Deciding whether you should attend studies in a physical classroom or online over the internet involves consideration of a number of factors which are impacted by answers to other questions in this article. Practical considerations include: 1. Is there a reputable seminary/university in your proximity which offers a degree program in Christian Counseling? 2. Do lifestyle and financial considerations make it feasible for you to attend onsite classes? The cost structure for these classes is typically more expensive than comparable distance-learning programs and this must be a consideration. You will need to answer another more difficult question: Do you need a structure, discipline and accountability of a fixed course schedule or can you discipline yourself to study effectively on your own/? Distance-learning programs are most successful for those who are able to schedule study times and be diligent in maintaining that commitment. Classroom schedules are rigid and can be helpful in imposing discipline upon those who need that direction. Which one suits you best?
Question #3: Do I need licensing? If so, what type is best? It is important to understand the two main types of licensing that are available: 1. State licensing 2. Licensing/certification from a Christian Counseling Organization We are frequently asked about licensing because our program offers a combined degree and NCCA licensing program and the distinction is critical. You will want to have a counseling license to enhance your credibility. Licensing is important also for obtaining professional liability insurance. As you might presume, state licensing requirements vary by state. This link will take you to a website that can get you started on this research: http://www.counselor-license.com/ If you want to be state-licensed as a counselor (in Florida, for example, one can become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor ), you will want to be very careful. Be sure to gain a thorough understanding the educational requirements, the application process, supervised practice requirements, the testing process and all associated fees. Become licensed as a state counselor involves a significant financial, effort and time commitment. You will typically be required to complete an Internship in a center; a process that can take two or three years. Upon successful completion, you will be allowed to function in Caesar s world but also may limit you in the extent to which you can share and operate in a biblical context. For example, in light of the present political and cultural climate, how would you want to advise a client who was dealing with gender identity issues?
You need to think through this issue thoroughly. If you want to operate in the Christian counseling/church ministry world exclusively, then licensing/certification from a Christian Counseling organization will give you the credential that most will recognize. The most well-known licensing or certification bodies for Christian Counselors are: National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) American Association of Christian Counselors American Association of Christian Therapists (AACT) International Association of Christian Counseling Professionals (IACCP) Some therapists elect to pursue state and Christian Counseling licensing together and this allows them to function in both environments. Once again, the cost-benefit analysis in terms of time, energy and financial outlay must be assessed so you can determine which is best for you. Bottom line: If you want to operate in a church/christian Counseling center environment exclusively, Christian counseling licensing should be adequate for you. Coupled with the appropriate degree in Christian Counseling if desired, you will be equipped to minister effectively in those environments.
Question #4: Does the seminary/university I get my degree from make a difference? If you are considering a brick-and-mortar institution where you live, then this question is moot. Because most Christian counseling students are generally more seasoned (that is, not fresh out of high school), the option of moving away to go to college is not usually on the table. You may have more than one choice for a local university/seminary or are considering a distance-learning school. How important is the school? If you are contemplating a Christian Counseling degree, we want to make a rather bold assertion: the degree that you obtain is much more important than the school! Students pursuing MD, MBA, engineering, law degrees and the like rigorously research and labor feverishly to become accepted at a top school in their field. For these fields, the school name is often critically important to securing that first job, but diminishes significantly in subsequent career moves. In the Christian counseling world, the fact that you have a Masters, Ph.D. (or no degree at all) is going to be much more important than the particular school you received your degree from. We are not trying to downgrade educational institutions or their programs. However, our experience is that many students pay a lot of money to graduate from a top institution and the resultant fruit is not necessarily greater than for those who attended lesser schools.
Bottom line: You want to get a quality Christian counseling education and should research diligently. In general, the level of your training (degree/licensing) is generally going to trump the name of the school on your diploma.
Question #5: Do I need to be ordained as a minister? Should I? The real question should be: why would you not want to become a minister? Pastors enjoy a special bond with their flock. People are predisposed to trusting and baring their souls to a man or woman of God. As a trained and licensed Christian Counselor, you bring an added level of competence and safety when you tell them you are also a minister. State licensing, and some Christian licensing/certification bodies do not require that a person be an ordained minister, but you should strongly consider it for the reasons mentioned above. If you want to become a Professional Clinical Member of the National Christian Counselors Association, you will be required to be ordained, licensed or commissioned as a minister. Fortunately, there are many different avenues available to becoming a minister and is inexpensive and easy to pursue. Denominational ordination can be a strenuous process but if becoming a minister in your own church is a priority, you should investigate this. For most Christian counselors, however, ordination under a responsible ministry will be adequate and options are numerous. The benefits are plentiful, including the ability to conduct weddings and funerals as well. Once again, check your state/country rules for any particular requirements. If you are called to become a Christian counselor to God s people, you should become a minister also; it s the right thing to do.
Question #6: How much will it cost me? Buying a Christian counseling education is like buying a car; you can spend a little or you can spend a lot. Different institutions have their own tuition schedules, but there is also a difference in cost structure between a brick and mortar university and an online center. Brick-and-mortar schools are generally going to be the most expensive choice because their overhead costs are higher compared to distance-learning programs. Cost per credit hour at one of these institutions can run $400 to more than $600 per credit hour. Distance learning institutions are going to have a lower cost structure typically and this should be reflected in the tuition costs. If program tuition is a compelling issue, then distance learning centers are generally going to present the most attractive alternative. There are also other out-of-pocket expenses to be considered. When you travel to a physical location, you will need to consider automobile expenses and also, for many, childcare costs. Make sure to factor these into the analysis. Distance learning schools have their own tuition schedules and they can be compared easily. For reference purposes, our distance learning program for a Bachelors degree currently costs $6,000, the Masters program runs $5,500 while students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. will pay $6,700.
Question #7: 7. Do I want to counsel under others or be your own boss? This may not be a question you need to answer upfront, but you should start thinking about it. The most likely options for students upon graduation are: Counsel in a church environment Join an established counseling center Start your own business. If you want to pursue state licensing, as previously discussed, you will most likely need to be accepted into an intern program somewhere so this will lengthen your timeline. Are you called to be an employee or a boss? There is no shame in working under another s authority or covering and it is important to understand the possibilities when you graduate. If you want to start a new work, you must recognize that it is little different than starting your own restaurant or accounting firm! Do you have a passion for this? If not, you may be best suited to become an employee somewhere. How will you get clients? How will you promote your business? Are you equipped to handle the administrative demands associated with being the owner? If God has called you, he will bless the work of your hands you also need to be prepared to invest time, effort and even finances into this side of things as well. Once again, this is a question that can be fleshed out more fully later, but it is not too early to put in in your prayer list!
About Me I want to share some of my background and perspective with you so you can determine whether the points I have proposed are worthwhile to consider as you ponder your next steps. I have a Ph.D. degree in Clinical Christian Psychology, am an NCCA-Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and over the course of many years in ministry have met with thousands of individuals, couples and families. I have seen the word and power of God move to help bring wholeness and restoration into their lives and relationships. I love being a Christian counselor and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing people set free and walking in the love, grace and power of God. After years in another center, I started Above & Beyond Counseling Center so we could use the skills and experience we had learned to people as God showed us. We minister to people in our local offices and also worldwide over the internet. I love to teach and train saints of God for the works of ministry and that is why I began Above & Beyond Counseling Academy in conjunction with the Center. The Academy focuses on providing excellent Christian Counseling education and deliverance ministry training to motivated students. We are a Certified Academic Institution with the National Christian Counselors Association and offer their distance-learning program. As with the Counseling Center, technology and the internet allows us to work with students all over the world. One of the aspects of biblical living that is vitally important for us to impress upon our clients is the reality and importance of spiritual warfare. The bible tells us that we battle spiritual forces of evil and not flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12) and too few people understand that reality. It is an important aspect of our services because we also utilize a proven and effective five-step deliverance ministry process to help set the captives free!
Just as looking for a mechanic, attorney or hairdresser, Christian counselor education come in a variety of figurative shapes and sizes. The format, course structure, courses and costs vary widely and that needs to be factored into your ultimate search for the learning center that can best help you attain your dreams!
Next Step How do you pick the right program for you? In this article, we have laid out some issues that we think are necessary for you to consider. You may have other issues or questions that are not listed here. We would love the opportunity to connect with you and give you our perspective. To learn more about our Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. level programs and NCCA licensing, please visit our website at http://aandbacademy.com/. If you have other questions, give us a call toll-free at (800) 264-6236x2 to schedule an appointment and we will be happy to talk with you.