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Christian counselors incorporate Christian faith and values into their practice.They offer their clients spiritual guidance while helping them address challenges such as addiction, marriage and family issues, and various mental health and behavioral concerns.
Aspiring Christian counselors may wonder what education and licensure are required. Explore our guide to learn how to enter this career.
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What Does a Christian Counselor Do?
Like other licensed mental health professionals, Christian counselors help people address their problems using well-established psychological techniques, including but not limited to psychoanalytical, cognitive behavioral, and Gestalt therapies.
In addition, Christian counselors may incorporate spiritual guidance into their practice according to a client's needs and desires. They might help clients lean on Christian teachings, scripture, and practices to support their growth and healing.
Christian counselors may work in private practice, secular counseling organizations, or religious-sponsored organizations that adhere to a faith-based mission, including churches, private schools, hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities. They typically work with Christian clients and those who specifically seek a spiritual approach in counseling.
Key Skills for a Christian Counselor
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Strong religious commitment and knowledge of Christian principles -
Training in counseling techniques and tools -
Interpersonal skills to gain trust and resolve conflict -
Active listening and communication -
Compassion and empathy -
Ability to remain impartial and withhold judgment and biases
Education Required to Become a Christian Counselor
While faith leaders can provide limited, informal counseling in a congregation or ministry without a counseling degree, you need a master’s degree and license to practice as a mental health professional in the U.S.
The path to a Christian counseling career starts with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. Undergraduate programs focusing specifically on Christian counseling are uncommon, but you may have the chance to choose a specialization of interest, such as addictions or marriage and family counseling.
The next step is to earn a master’s degree in counseling at an accredited college or university. You can attend a secular school or look for master’s programs at Christian institutions that specialize in Christian counseling.
Practical Experience Requirements for a Christian Counselor
Supervised clinical experiences, including internship and practicum placements that require direct client counseling, are an important component of any master’s degree.
These clinical experiences provide Christian counseling students with practical training in authentic settings, applying the therapeutic knowledge and skills learned in the classroom to real-world situations working with a variety of client populations.
Practicum and internship placements typically require a minimum of 700 hours of supervised clinical experience and at least 240 hours of direct service. However, the length of your clinical placements depends on your degree program and state licensure requirements.
Christian Counselor Licensure and Certification
All states require professional counselors to meet state eligibility requirements to practice. Aspiring counselors, including Christian counselors, should contact their state’s licensing board to verify specific requirements.
To qualify for a counseling license in most states, you must hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field, complete a specific number of clinical experience hours, and pass the national counselor examination. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) administers testing and licensing for all counselors.
Once you obtain licensure, you may pursue voluntary counseling certifications to enhance your skills and marketability, such as the ones listed below through the NBCC.
National Board for Certified Counselors
Career Projections for Christian Counselors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer data specifically for Christian counselors, but it does provide information for similar counseling positions. The BLS projects the employment of substance use, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow by 18% between 2022 and 2023. These in-demand counselors earn a median annual salary of $49,100.
In comparison, marriage and family counselors earn a median salary of $56,000, and employment is projected to grow by 15% in this same period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Christian Counselor
Can you become a Christian counselor without a degree?
Mental health professionals, including Christian counselors, need an advanced degree and a state license to practice. Christian leaders and ministers can provide limited, informal counseling to others within the context of a church or ministry without a counseling degree, but this is not equivalent to providing licensed mental health services.
How do I get started in Christian counseling?
Christians who feel a calling to help others through counseling can get started by strengthening their faith-based foundation and pursuing a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field. A master's degree and supervised clinical experience are also required to become a licensed counselor.
Can you make money as a Christian counselor?
Although most Christian counselors do not enter the field with the primary goal of making money, it is possible to earn a comfortable living. Counselors and therapists earn median salaries between $50,000 and $60,000 a year, depending on their level of experience, license and certifications, and type of employer.
How long does it take to become a Christian counselor?
To become a Christian counselor in most states, you must complete approximately six years of postsecondary education, consisting of a four-year bachelor's degree and a two-year master's program. Additional time may be required to pass licensure exams.
Page last reviewed on February 19, 2024
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