A word about psychiatric counseling

Every once in a while we receive questions to our website about psychiatric counseling.  While we are certainly not experts in the counseling field, our advice is always to find a biblical counselor in their church or synagogue (where their services are often offered free of charge); or at least find a counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist who is a Believer.  Don’t be afraid to inquire when you call their office because, unless they believe in YHWH/Yeshua and apply BIBLICAL principles, they will NOT be able to provide proper guidance. Scripture tells us that if we sow carnal seeds, we will reap a carnal harvest (see Galatians 6:6-7; 1 Corinthians 9:11-14; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Romans 8:1; Philippians 4:17, etc.)

A biblical counselor/psychiatrist/psychologist will usually open and close their sessions with prayer because he/she knows that God WANTS to be involved in every aspect of our life (Psalm 139:1-5), and they will NEVER give you advice that goes against Scripture.  For instance, if you come for marriage advice about a spouse who isn’t “meeting your needs” (whatever that might entail), a biblical counselor will never tell you to take the easy way out by leaving your spouse for “greener pastures.” They will do everything in their power to help you work through your problems to keep the marriage together, because they know that adultery is the ONLY valid reason for divorce given in Scripture. (ADONAI says He HATES divorce!  - Malachi 2:16.)

A biblical counselor would never tell an engaged person who is torn about whether or not to get married, to go and “sow some wild oats” and then make up their mind. Engagementsare serious commitments!   A biblical counselor will do their level best to help you overcome an addiction, a phobia, a bad habit, or past trauma, etc.  If one method doesn’t work, they will employ another, and another until something works.  If they cannot help you, they will refer you to someone who can.  If your condition shows no improvement within a reasonable amount of time, a good and honest counselor will NOT continue to see you, just so they can continue to collect money from you….

A biblical counselor will be vigilant to ask pertinent questions and take copious notes that will allow him/her to gain continuous intimate and thorough knowledge of you and your situation – knowledge they will then use constructively to help heal your confusion, fears, phobias or anguish, etc.

For those who are seeking a good counselor, our prayer is that God will guide you to the “right” one – one who conducts his/her life according to our Creator and His Torah and employs biblical wisdom in his/her dealings with you.

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  (ESV)

Proverbs 1:1-3 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; (ESV)