Father’s Day and the Future of Faith

The article, “Father’s Day and the Future of Faith”, by James Tonkowich states

“If the breakdown of the family is one of the causes of secularism and makes evangelization — including the evangelization of our own kids”

American Institute Health Care Professionals‘s insight:

This article looks at how secularism has corrupted the family and in essence the role of fatherhood, through donars, divorce, broken homes and ultimately a decay of the western family.  Christian Counselors should always seek to protect the family from the erosion of secularism and materialism.

If you are interested in a certification in Christian Counseling, then please review the program.  Our certification in Christian Counseling is for qualified professionals who wish to help serve others with the truth and light of Christ.

To earn the certification in Christian Counseling, one must complete the core courses and then apply for certification.  Once certified, you can recertify within three years.

The certification in Christian Counseling is a perfect way to help you push forward with your religious vocation.  If you have any questions, please let us know.

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Certification In Christian Counseling: The Seven Joys of Mary and Counseling

Certification in Christian Counseling: Counseling for Joy in the Life of Mary

So many times in Christian theology, we focus only on the sorrows of Christ, Mary, and the saints.  In this short article, I would like to focus instead on the some of the joys especially during the Easter season.  In particular, since in previous articles we looked at Mary’s seven sorrows, I would like to look at her seven joys.  Catholics as well as Protestants can find some

common ground in professing joy during counseling sessions.  As Christians we can all share in joyous moments of Jesus and Mary.  Joyous moments that will one day be shared in Heaven.
This Christian tradition of documenting Mary’s joys is hundreds of years old.  The first joys involve Mary at the Annunciation, the Nativity, and the adoration of the Magi.  Some traditions include the Visitation to Mary’s cousin Elizabeth as one of Mary’s joys.
Mary’s later joys include the Resurrection of Christ, the Ascension, Pentecost, and her entry into Heaven.  In Catholic circles this involves the dogma of the Assumption and the Coronation.  This is obviously a debate within Protestant theology since Protestants do not accept the Assumption.  However, all Christians could concur that Mary is in Heaven and Jesus has placed his mother in high esteem.
These joys of Mary can be looked at in numerous ways.  It shows that despite the many sorrows that Mary endured on Earth, that God wants all his people to experience happiness here as well.  This world while fallen still reflects the goodness of the Creator and should be enjoyed.  There are many moments on Earth we will all remember when in Heaven.  These joys should be cherished as Mary’s seven joys are warmly remembered.
If you are interested in Christian Counseling Training, please review the program.  Our Certification in Christian Counseling is an excellent way to help others as a Christian Counselor.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Certification in Christian Counseling: Reconciliation as Religious Counseling

Certification in Christian Counseling: Reconciliation is also counseling

Within Catholic theology, the Seven Sacraments are outward signs that produce grace. Each grace that is particular to a sacrament has a particular function within the soul’s spiritual life. This sacramental grace helps the person carry out particular spiritual tasks within the domain of the sacrament. Christian 

Counselors within the Catholic tradition have a particular aid in helping their clients overcome sin, grief and despair via the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In fact, confession in itself is a religious counseling session. Many priests who administer the sacrament become Christian counselors by the very fact they lend their ear to the concerns and worries of the faithful. This ultimate form of counseling is followed with a dose of divine grace that refreshes the soul by removing sin, inclinations to sin, and a infusion of hope within the penitent.

The first aspect to consider is the psychological nature of confession. In all counseling, identifying problems and bringing them out into the open are keys for success. Within the sacred seal of confession, the penitent reveals his or her sins, issues and problems to someone. This exposure and admittance of problems opens up the channel for psychological healing and habitual corrections. The next psychological element involves advice from a third party. This advice comes from a trained pastoral professional; the better the counseling skills within the priest, the better the outcome. This is a nature of confession that many faithful discount. They consider it merely a verbal listing of bad actions without feedback for correction or healing. The role of a priest in this second part of confession is to guide and help the person amend his or her life. The third psychological element of confession is forgiveness. It is true within Catholic theology that God does forgive those who seek forgiveness outside the bounds of confession. It is also true, however, that the official sacramental infusion of grace is completed via the absolution by the priest. The priest, as an instrument of grace, represents Christ and as his representative infuses the grace of the Holy Spirit upon the penitent. If one believes this theology, the psychological benefits are immense. The person again feels hope, forgiveness and healing. Whether one is agnostic, atheist, or even non-Catholic, one cannot deny these three psychological benefits of confession. 
The second aspect involves the theology which while open to debate outside of Catholic circles remains a steadfast tradition within the Church. A Christian spiritual counselor  or one who is certified in Christian counseling who utilizes the sacramental graces of confession as a spiritual medicine for his or her client is utilizing a great tool. The sacrament spiritually nourishes the soul in healing. It forgives the stain of the sin and its odious stench, removing the attachments of vice. It is not enough to forgive the sin, but to find its root in its particular vice. This is the deeper element of the sacramental cleansing of confession. Furthermore, while removing the demons of vice and sin, it strengthens and heals the soul for future confrontations. This is why frequent confession is encouraged. It literally is a bathing of the soul.
Yet as Christian spiritual counselors, non Catholics do not have this psychological and spiritual tool at their disposal. This may be due to differences in theological beliefs or a different tradition. I recommend within Protestant circles, a strong emphasis during counseling on prayers to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the primary key within the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and there is no reason why when two meet in the Lord’s name that his Spirit would not manifest and strengthen. Many counselors have various gifts of the spirit in which they can lay hands or invoke the presence of the Holy Spirit. Such outward signs of prayer and laying of hands can also give the spiritual and psychological benefits needed for non Catholic Christians.
In conclusion, while this article primarily focused on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, a few things can be gained by counselors of all Christian denominations. First, outward signs of religious faith are essential for healing. We are composed of body and soul. Our physical senses are essential to spiritual healing. Human nature is intrinsically interwoven with both matter and spirit. Hence when treating a malady, one must treat both elements. Second, the psychological effects that correlate with the spiritual effects cannot be underestimated. While the psychological effects are manifestations of the spiritual, one cannot deny even from a secular view that such religious traditions are not worthwhile. On the contrary, religious traditions that foster forgiveness, healing and hope are instrumental to someone’s recovery. If one wants to merely believe this is psychological and not spiritual, then so be it, but the reality is man is a spiritual creature and innately searches for his creator which is God. Only God can give the satisfaction and happiness to overcome sin and despair.
If you are interested in a certification in Christian Counseling, please review the program. Our certification in Christian counseling covers many aspects of the practice and is based upon Christ and the Bible.

By Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Ethics of a Christian Counselor

A Christian counselor shares many of the same ethical standards any counselor or professional would have. This obviously includes respect of each person and their general welfare. It also includes confidentiality and a seal of silence.
In regards to sexuality, a counselor should use extreme caution when the person begins to compare him or her to a spouse or ex boyfriend or girlfriend. On the other side of the spectrum, a counselor should rediagnose one’s professional relationship if one starts to prolong sessions or find excuses to see the person they are counseling outside of the office. If such things occur, it may be wise to refer the person to another counselor. In addition to this, one should be aware of flirtations, personal telephone calls, touching, or any conversations with sexual topics.
Beyond these basic ethical standards, the basic paradigm of the counselor as a parent is critical. A parent is concerned with the well being of one’s children and gives them the best advice possible. If a counselor is able to keep this view and adhere to these standards, one has a less chance of entering into complicated situations. With this in mind, a Christian Counselor also goes beyond these standards and is obliged to give sound good Biblical advice. The ethics of God must always be presented for any situation. While secular counselors can give advice according to what they feel is best, a Christian Counselor is called to a higher standard.

Christian Counselors are hence called to a higher calling in that they have a spiritual and moral obligation to teach the Gospel of Christ. With such a high calling, they are liable before God as any other teacher, clergy member or parent in their counseling and teaching. Christian Counselors are called to a high vocation and with such a high vocation they have a high responsibility to provide not only counseling ethical standards but also Christian standards that pertain to counseling and life.
If you are interested in the Christian Counseling Program, please review it.  A certification in Christian Counseling can be earned by qualified professionals who complete the courses.