Doctors, social workers and support group leaders will have had to study some sort of professional mental health program as part of their professional training. This mental health training is essential for their professional development to equip them to deal with various types of persons and situations that they might experience.
Because church leaders have an influential role requiring constant contact with the general public they have shouldered a huge responsibility that will have an impact on the lives of a great multitude of people around the world. Many pastors, ministers, clergy and those in pastoral care and leadership roles across many Christian denominations are opting to undertake a Christian counselling course that provides them with knowlege and skill including ethical guidelines.
Biblical counselling training is done correctly when it lines up with the word of God and does not hinder the work of the Holy Spirit.
Understanding Psychotherapy and Psychology
What is Psychotherapy?
Known as, “the talking cure”.The treatment of mental disorder by psychological rather than medical means.
What is Psychology?
Known as, “the study of persons.” 1. The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour in a given context. 2. The mental characteristics or attitude of a person or group.
How Has Christianity Embraced Psychology?
The twelve step programs that have been patterned off the long standing (AA) Alcoholics Anonymous have been adapted by churches to help people get free from various types of addictions.
Most Christian self-help & recovery type books have adapted a psychological take on healing, while they remain spiritual in using biblical principles & practices at the same time. You just have to look at the types of books that are available in Christian book shops today to see that most authors who write those self-help books are psychologists or doctors of some sort or another. These books help people to overcome various issues like obesity, relationship issues, addictions, depression, mental health and personal growth.
Hope for the mentally ill
Christians know that God is more than able to heal. Jesus is our true source of hope. However, we sometimes wait for our healing and that requires us to show mercy to those waiting for their healing by becoming equipped with skills to help them. The training is of great importance to the church enabling it to remain relevant by staying at the forefront helping those within their congregation and others in the local community.
Churches today are keener than ever before address the emotional and mental health needs of their congregation as with their spiritual needs. Most people who attend church tend to look towards the church leaders & elders for counselling and pastoral care. The training at entry level provides an education on mental health issues, suicide prevention and training on ethical boundaries and guidelines to protect the counsellor and the person being counselled so that neither parties are hurt in any way.
We all look to God’s Word as a standard by which to judge and can confidently test to see if what we do has truth in it or not.
1 Thess. 5:21-22 “but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil”
Counselling Courses can:
- Equip the church with mental health skills to help individuals, couples and families within their congregations and local communities.
- Be the beginning of a new career, doing something worthwhile by helping others in the community.
- Take healing to a higher level as the trained individual becomes equipped with a deeper understanding of mental health issues.
- Teach new techniques & listening skills that will help you grow in your own personal life.
Taking care of mind, body and spirit is essential and beneficial to our mental health and general wellbeing.
Further reading:
Discover How Churches Addressing Mental Health Issues Offer Grace & Hope to a hurting community and to those within their congregation.
Sources:
Psychology & The Church Part 1 – By: Bob and Gretchen Passantino:
http://www.equip.org/article/psychology-and-the-church-part-one/
Wikkipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-step_program & https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_twelve-step_groups
Where to Get Help in Australia
Talk to your doctor who can point you in the right direction.
Visit CCAA to search for a Christian counsellor near you.
Visit ACA to search for a counsellor near you.
Free 24/7 Counselling Services
Lifeline on 13 11 14
Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800
MensLine Australia on 1300 789 978
Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467
Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
Headspace on 1800 650 890
Studying at aifc
Equip yourself with counselling skills for life at aifc.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
- At The beginning of each year in February.
- Mid-Year courses commence in July.
Enrolments open approximately 3 months prior the courses commencing. Enquire now by filling out the form with your details to receive course information by email.
Introducing a Master of Counselling course commencing in 2018
Contact aifc Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm with your enquiries on 6242 5111 or toll free on 1300 721 397
Have you thought about becoming a qualified counsellor? It’s a great opportunity to learn how you can extend God's love and grace to the hurting out in the community.
For those who would like to enrol in aifc’s accredited Christian counselling courses we have two intakes per year for courses commencing around the following months:
Enrolment Season - opens approximately 2 months prior to our courses commencing. Enrol online here during our enrolment season.
We also offer two modes of study:
A Master of Counselling course was introduced in 2018.