How to Find a Christian Counselor
Finding the right Christian counselor for your situation can be a challenging and intimidating process. While there are Christian counselors located in most areas, most of us don’t usually know much about them or even pay attention to them until it is time to start looking for one.
Because for most of us scheduling an appointment with a counselor is not as easy as scheduling a checkup with the family doctor, knowing some effective ways of locating the right counselor can be extremely useful.
In effort to make this an easier process for you, we will look at some tips for finding a counselor and making your search more effective.
1. Start with Your Pastor
If you are a church attender, one of the first things you should do is seek the advice of your pastor. Many pastors offer some type of counseling for church members, but frequently they will not be experienced or equipped to help with the specific area in which you are struggling. While most pastors do have some education in counseling, that’s not what they spend the majority of their time doing, so don’t be surprised if your pastor says that he is not the best person to help you in this situation.
If your pastor cannot help you personally, he has probably worked with other local counselors in the past and it’s likely that you can get a good referral this way.
By starting at your church you may be able to get some help from someone within your church, and if that is not possible, you’re likely to at least get a good referral.
2. Turn to God
One thing you should always be doing when you are seeking a counselor is to ask for God’s help. Take the time each day to pray for God’s leading and that He would help you to find a good counselor in your area.
3. Ask for Referrals from Family and Friends
Depending on the nature of the situation and how much you are willing to share with others, don’t be afraid to ask family or friends if they have experience with any Christian counselors or if they have anyone that they could refer you to in your local area. If others that you know have been through counseling before, you may be able to get a good referral this way to find the right person for you.
4. Turn to Google
Doing a search online should produce some results that will identify Christian counselors in your local area. Try a Google search or visit the member directory of the American Association of Christian Counselors, which will help you to find a local counselor – http://www.aacc.net/resources/find-a-counselor/
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