| If you've been searching for marriage counseling | | | | Pastoral Counseling |
| resources it's likely you've found yourself faced | | | | MA, pastoral counseling |
| with many dilemmas. One such dilemma is the | | | | PhD, pastoral counseling |
| choice between traditional counseling and Christian | | | | Marriage and Family Therapy |
| based counseling. | | | | MA, marriage and family therapy |
| Traditional therapy is typically performed by a | | | | DMFT, marriage and family therapy |
| professional counselor and utilizes a variety of | | | | Professional Counseling |
| Psychotherapeutic approaches. One of the oldest | | | | MA, counseling |
| approaches is the psychodynamic approach. Other | | | | MEd, counseling |
| examples include behavior-oriented therapy, and | | | | Unlike secular marriage counseling, the goal of |
| systems theory. | | | | Christian marriage counseling is to use the Word |
| Christian based marriage counseling utilizes | | | | of God and Christian principles to bring about a |
| Scripture as it's foundation and can be performed | | | | change of heart in troubled couples. |
| either by members of the clergy or licensed | | | | It also encourages couples to develop intimate |
| individuals with specialized training. | | | | relationships with Christ. By strengthening their |
| Most states do not require clergy to be licensed | | | | personal relationships with Christ the couples |
| counselors in order to provide ministerial | | | | ultimately enjoy more intimate and peaceful |
| counseling. | | | | relationships with each other. |
| However, Christian counseling is not limited to | | | | The traditional techniques previously mentioned, |
| members of the clergy. Today's family of | | | | such as behavior-oriented therapy, have proven |
| Christian counselors includes a myriad of | | | | to be successful in helping couples manage their |
| backgrounds and professions everywhere. Here | | | | marital problems. However, if you and your |
| are just a few examples: | | | | spouse are Christians, you would likely feel most |
| Psychology | | | | comfortable with a counselor who shares the |
| PsyD, clinical psychology | | | | same religious beliefs as you. |
| PhD, clinical psychology | | | | |