| Need Help Finding a Christian Counselor? Try These 4 Basic Steps. |
| Written by John James | |
| Thursday, 20 August 2009 | |
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Christian counselors are there to help you through struggles and difficult situations in your life, but if you have not seen one in the past you may not know where to look to find one. Many people are intimidated at the thought of finding a counselor to see.
Christian counselors are there to help you through struggles and difficult situations in your life, but if you have not seen one in the past you may not know where to look to find one. Many people are intimidated at the thought of finding a counselor to see. 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. Here we are going to discuss some of the first things you should do when you are looking to find a counselor in your area. 1. Ask Your Pastor for a Referral 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. Starting with your pastor or church staff members will allow you to see if any help is available within the church, and if not, to get the opinion of someone you trust on who you should see. 2. Pray If you are seeking for a counselor to help you with a specific situation, take time each day to pray and ask for God's assistance in your search. Ask Him to put the right person into your life that will be able to give you the guidance and help that you are seeking. 3. Consult with Family and Friends If it is possible in your situation, turn to your family and friends and ask them if they know of any good Christian counselor that you could see. You may be surprised how many people you know that have been to a counselor, and this can often be a good way to find a quality professional. 4. Search Online 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/ The Article Author: If you live in central PA or northern MD, CCES is available to assist you. They also offer Christian Christian coaching services to those in other areas of the U.S. via telephone. |
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