Member-only story
Am I a Christian Counselor?
Faith, Therapy, and Labels
A potential client asked if I was a Christian counselor — I knew my answer would disappoint someone, no matter what I said.
If I were a Christian Counselor, and I’m not saying I am, for that would be a short answer, I wouldn’t market myself as such. I wouldn’t think it would be the right thing to do. Being a Christian is supposed to be a confession, not a branding strategy.
I understand a prospective client who is Christian might want to see a counselor who respects her beliefs, won’t mock her for a profession of faith, and understands what she’s saying when she talks about sanctification. Similarly, a non-Christian client wouldn’t want me, as a mental health counselor, to proselytize him. He’d need me to respect his beliefs or his belief that he doesn’t have any beliefs. He wouldn’t want me to use theological terms that sound judgmental.
It ought to be enough to say I’m a counselor for you to know that I would try to understand your point of view. Every counselor worthy of the title should be able to meet you non-judgmentally where you’re at. No ethical counselor would mock you for your beliefs or lack thereof.
I could tell you my mother was not-very-enthusiastic Catholic and my father a not-very-enthusiastic Congregationalist, but you still wouldn’t…
