What is Counseling? Clarifying Misconceptions
Counseling can be a profound and transformative process, but it's often misunderstood. Certainly you’ve heard commentary like it's just “woo woo stuff” or “my friends are better listeners.” We’ve even heard terms used such as “sinful” and “selfish.” More accurately, clinical therapy is a collaborative journey between a trained professional and an individual seeking support, guidance, and/or healing. To truly grasp the essence of counseling, it's equally important to understand what it is AND what it is not.
What Counseling Is:
A Collaborative Process: Counseling is a partnership where individuals are encouraged to explore, understand, and sometimes challenge their thoughts, feelings, memories, beliefs, and experiences. It's a safe space where vulnerability is welcomed, and personal growth is nurtured.
A Sanctuary for Healing: It serves as a haven where trust is built with an objective support person. In this safe space, individuals can freely express themselves, experience uncomfortable emotions, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing, knowing that they are seen, known, and supported without condition and without judgment.
A Time for Reflection and Restoration: Counseling provides individuals with the opportunity to prioritize healing and growth. Far from a selfish endeavor, counseling can be a way to put on one’s own oxygen mask first. It may seem uncomfortable at first and, of course, this must be balanced with a healthy view of selfless love for our neighbors (Mark 12:30-31). The reality is that if we never take time to find rest and renewal (body, mind, and soul), then we will forever be living in a deficit. Living in a perpetual state of physical, emotional, or spiritual deficit in the name of serving others is not what our good Father wants for us. Whether it's verbal processing, seeking solace, or finding clarity, counseling offers a dedicated time to focus on personal rest, well-being, and growth.
What Counseling Is Not:
A Venting Session: Contrary to what some may suppose, counseling is not merely an avenue to unload frustrations or engage in gossip. While it does provide a space for honest expression, its primary goal is to delve deeper into understanding and addressing underlying issues that are affecting the client physically, emotionally, spiritually, and relationally.
Spiritual Guidance: While therapists can support a client's spiritual journey, counseling itself is not a platform for providing spiritual direction. Clients may integrate their faith into the counseling process at their discretion, but the spiritual component serves as a way to enhance and bolster growth and healing of the whole person. The spiritual journey cannot be ignored in the therapeutic process, but spiritual growth and sanctification should never be the sole purpose of therapy – this is better suited to discipleship within the context of the local church.
An Advice-Giving Platform: While brainstorming, resourcing, and exploring solutions is a part of the counseling process, the role of therapist is not to simply give advice. Instead, they empower individuals to gain clarity, explore their options, and make informed decisions in light of current circumstances, challenges, values, desires, and goals.
Understanding what counseling is and isn’t empowers individuals to approach the therapeutic journey with clarity, confidence, and intention. It's a unique opportunity for self-discovery, healing, and growth—a journey where one can find support to navigate the challenges and complexities of life with hope, resilience, and greater insight.
Authors:
Kalie Moore, MA, LCMHC. Clinical Therapist. Co-Founder of Dwell Ministry, PC.
Lauren Bowman, MA, LCMHC, Clinical Therapist. Co-Founder of Dwell Ministry, PC.
More Resources:
Should Christians Go to Therapy? What Does the Bible Say? - Neami Tervil, Christian Mental Health Initiative
Can Christians Go to Counseling? - Jeremy Smith, Church and Mental Health
