Desert Streams Christian Counseling has purposely established our practice as a Christian Counseling practice. Some might wonder what that means as we meet with our clients. As Christian therapists we understand that each person is uniquely created in the image of God. We also understand that we live in a fallen world, and that sin has entered the human race, as a result trials, tribulations and sin affect each and everyone of us. We are grateful that Jesus Christ came to earth to redeem us, restore us, and forgive us by His mighty sacrifice on the cross.
Christian counselors are set apart because they see every person through the love of God and have a heart’s desire to help people overcome, recover, discern, forgive, and walk in victory. Christian counselors endeavor to seek the Lord’s guidance, counsel and wisdom as they meet with clients. They pray for clients as they guide them in seeking healing, restoration and recovery. We at Desert Streams understand that not all clients that come to Desert Streams are Christians. We embrace the opportunity to be His light and encouragement with each person. We endeavor to meet clients where they are at spiritually. Often times our clients are Christians and desire spiritual wisdom, word, and direction as part of their counseling sessions. This can occur in several ways, some of which are (but not limited to): praying with our clients, bringing in scripture into the counseling discussion, encouraging biblical or spiritual reading for our clients, or incorporating work outside of session that has a Christian and spiritual component.
As the psychology field continues to establish “best practices” Christian counselors realize that these practices line up with God’s word and counsel that He has established from the beginning. For instance:
*Developing healthy friendships: “Do not be deceived, Evil company corrupts good habits” 1 Corinthians 15:33
*Confidence: “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.” Hebrews 10:35
*Relationships to be wary of: “Make no friendship with an angry man and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.” Proverbs 22:24
*Being a good friend: “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.” Proverbs 27:9
Communication: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21
Anxiety: “I will not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.” Matthew 6:34
There are many more verses that speak on healthy marriages, parenting, seeking forgiveness and how to forgive, and being purposeful in how we think to help with anxiety and depression. Christian counseling is a unique combination of what psychology is discovering are the “best practices” approach to different issues that we also know have already been established in God’s Word written thousands of years ago.
The unique component of Christian counseling is clients can receive top notch services with a spiritual component should they desire this.
