Why Americans Need Clinically Informed Biblical Counseling

“For they are a nation destitute of counsel, And there is no understanding in them. If only they were wise and they understood this; If only they would discern their future!” (Deuteronomy 32:28-29)

The Crisis and the Call

Biblical counseling has not yet achieved its rightful place in America. Secular mental health care is the predominant form of counseling occurring day in and day out, a reality we believe grieves the heart of God and one He is calling His people to change.

Jesus is the "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6), and counseling is His domain. The LORD has called His people to embrace their authority and fulfill their distinct roles in His redemptive plan, to include fulfilling His purpose through counseling. We believe accepting this divine call is the greatest opportunity in the church today and the foundation for helping people nationwide to build their lives upon the rock.

To answer this call effectively, people need comprehensive equipping through dedicated training, the development of essential skills, and relevant tools. This equipping is a catalyst for growth, leading to proficiency through guidance by the Holy Spirit and grounding in the Word of God. We believe the most effective counselors are those called by God, supported by His Body, and led by His Spirit, and we believe this is best accomplished today through biblically based, clinically informed, and whole-person oriented counseling, empowering people to build their lives on the secure foundation of Christ.

A Necessary Comprehensive Approach

Recognizing that each person is on a unique journey, counselors must approach everyone with compassion and without judgment. Simultaneously, they should remain committed to God’s standards of righteousness, striving to speak the Truth in love with wisdom, strength, grace, and gentleness.

Clinically Informed Biblical Counseling (CIBC) is a practice that synthesizes God’s Word, the principles of faith, and a deep understanding of His created order. Such counseling values true insights when applicable from science and psychology, examining them through a Christian worldview and applying them under the Holy Spirit’s direction, always ensuring that any and every approach is rooted in Scripture.

Furthermore, the LORD has created us as intricate and remarkable beings. He has placed us on this earth at the specific time and location He has chosen, with a significant plan for us to fulfill. The wondrous complexity of the world demonstrates God’s natural created order, yet we uniquely reflect His image and likeness.

Consequently, when it comes to healing and caring for individuals, neither a simplistic nor an overly complex approach is effective.

• Oversimplified models attempt to reduce human beings but ultimately leave them unfulfilled. Too often church-based counseling has only sought to serve people spiritually, too often even neglecting other critical areas of life.
• Overly complicated models can lead to confusion and overwhelming burdens of responsibility. Mental healthcare has become quite complicated through its bureaucratic requirements and mingled mess of philosophies. This system is broken, especially when it comes to serving people in the most foundational area of their lives—the spiritual domain.

Both approaches have fallen short. It is time to introduce a new model that neither oversimplifies nor overcomplicates individuals and their struggles, but instead addresses their needs directly and comprehensively.

With us being created in His image and likeness and having been endowed with inherent identity and unique purpose, God’s design necessitates an interconnected wellness model that is oriented to the whole-person. God’s Hierarchy of Needs is this model as it addresses every dimension of human existence as established by our Creator: the spiritual, relational, emotional, personal, mental, physical, and eternal. Through this model CIBC’s can learn to treat people within their various needs with the utmost care and highest of standards.

The Current Landscape

Problems & Opportunities

• The church has not yet been able to sufficiently meet the needs of people seeking mental healthcare, which is by far the predominant form of counseling sought after and received these days. Therefore, the church has an incredible opportunity to come alongside these hurting people and to meet this need with revitalized care that glorifies God.
• The secular mental health field is not sufficiently meeting people’s spiritual needs, nor will it. Christians have a vital opportunity to fill this gap.
• Only about 25% of U.S. adults turn to their congregation for help when struggling with mental illness. This must change!
• About 70% of congregation leaders refer members out to mental health providers and many of these have been infiltrated by false ideologies. There are a few simple reasons for these referrals, all of which we are prepared to solve: lack of adequate training; not enough time; believing referrals are necessary due to regulations.
• The above leaves only about 6% to actually receive counseling from the church, sometimes with unsatisfactory results. We are committed to this no longer being the case.
• There are approximately 1.2 million counselors in America, but only 50,000 (less than 4%) identify as Christian. Of those, only 5,000 are classified as trained biblical counselors. Many identifying “Christian counselors” throughout America are not grounded in God’s Word and do not counsel by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit nor with strength and courage, but rather primarily utilize secular models. Good-riddance to this!
• The projected growth rate for secular therapists (19%) is nearly double that of Christian counselors (10%). We are 100% dedicated to reversing this trend.
• Millennials and Gen Z are less likely to be religiously affiliated but are highly spiritual and open to therapeutic interventions with less stigma. This means that the church has the greatest opportunity to attract and win over the next generations.

The Solution: A Three-Fold Approach

1. Biblically Based: In our foundation, we are eternal spiritual beings. God has revealed His plan of redemption through His Word. We must use Scripture to inform our perspective and address all our experiences. (Romans 15:14)
2. Clinically Informed: God has revealed truths through His creation—sometimes discovered in science and psychology—for our benefit to know His natural order. We use such only sound principles and best practices to counsel people toward God’s healing and plan. (Romans 1:20)
3. Whole-Person Oriented: We are complex and integrated beings needing restoration in all aspects: spiritual, relational, emotional, personal, mental, physical, and eternal. Counseling must address the whole person for complete change, healing, and growth to occur. (Colossians 2:8)

This all leads us to a clear and simple solution—to revitalize biblical counseling through making it relevant to reach the masses, especially the next generations, by incorporating a comprehensive approach that is solidly Christian. Thus, why clinically informed biblical counseling is critical to the restoration of American souls across our great nation. We will not let this opportunity pass by. Will you join us in this endeavor? May God bless you, and may God bless America!