"Why see a Christian counselor?"

I was asked this week, “Why see a Christian counselor?”
This is an important question, and one I appreciated receiving. There are many different types of Christian counselors, so I cannot speak for other Christian counselors, but in my practice, I have received the same psychological education (Baccalaureate in Psychology and Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy) and state licensure (state approved LMHCA) as other mental health counselors in the state of Washington. As a bonus to my licensure, I have also already passed the National Counselor Examination. This examination is not required at the Associate level in the state of Washington. Thus, I am nationally and state approved to counsel based on my education and examination. 
However, you could find these similarities with other secular counselors. What sets me apart as a Christian counselor is that the Master’s program that I attended was at a Seminary and included 30 extra hours of education in Bible and Theology for completion. I graduated with the 60 hours of education for clinical psychological practice that is required for every licensed mental health counselor to practice, with an additional 30 hours of Theology courses. That’s a full extra year of graduate school to have the dual education. 
This dual education, plus years of practicing Christian counseling since, has allowed me to offer what I call an “integrated approach” to counseling. My experience allows me to filter psychological issues through Biblical principles as well as implement those strategies that are both- scientifically evidence based and agree with Scripture. This assures my clients that their core beliefs are valued and that the therapy process will uphold integrity at a spiritual, mental, and emotional, level. 
If you are remotely interested in Christian ideas in counseling, or wonder what the Bible has to say in your struggles, give me a call. Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) Let's look to the Overcomer together as we navigate your road toward healing and peace.