There are numerous types of Christian counselors. Gary Collins was the first to recognize these different types and but them into categories. He identified five general categories which are still legitimate and recognized today

Main Stream Counselors: These counselors undergo a training known as CPE or Clinical pastoral Education training. Before they are educated as counselors they are educated as pastors receiving a thorough theological education. Once they make the decision to become counselors they go through a secular education program. Due to their religious background they can integrate secular education into their previous religious education

Main Stream Counselors have been criticized for being too liberal. They often negatively view conservative evangelical theologians. They believe that the conservative counselors cause people to steer away from Christian counseling due to the fear that they will be judged and condemned for their behavior. Main Stream Counselors want people to feel that it is ok to be imperfect and that we are all humans, what matters most is that we try to live our lives for God and recognize when we fail. Rather then be condemned for failing they believe that being supportive can help the person avoid failure later on.

Evangelical Pastoral Counselors: The bible is the foundation of all counseling for these individuals. They are very conservative and very confrontational. They will not sugar coat things for their clients but rather be blunt and to the point. They try to educated their clients in order to help them maintain their health. The client will need to learn many scriptures in order to gain the knowledge to set him/her free from their trials.

Christian Professionals: The father of Christian counseling Clyde Narramore falls into this category. As does James Dobson, founder of focus on the family, and an outstanding author. These individuals have received a purely secular education and generally, possess state credentials or licensure. These individuals choose to keep their roots in biblical evangelical theology despite their secular background. These counselors have to find ways for integrating their psychological knowledge and skills with biblical truth.

Theoretician Researchers: Unlike all other types of counselor this category these counselors do not work in the field unless they are doing research that requires them to do so. Most individuals in this category are university professors. Theoretician Researchers are scholarly and scientific individuals. They work arduously on researching, developing and testing new theories and techniques. Their education secular, with the exception being those that are professors at a private religious university.

Evangelical Popularizers: These Christian counselors, use their education to write self-help books, put together seminars, help leaders develop lessons etc. These counselors aim to help the ordinary everyday lay man who is ready for a change

In 1975 the five categories of counselors were identified. To this day all five are still widely acknowledged and used. There have been some finite changes and adjustments within each category. For example evangelical counselors no longer want to receive a clinical pastoral education they are opting instead for a secular education.

Tags: Mental Health

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