LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
What Is The Difference Between Christian Counselling & Secular Counselling?
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (Ed. D) Department of Christian Leadership and
Church Ministries
By
Mary Gracias
Lynchburg, Virginia
12/2022
Counselling has proven its worth long back, but counselling is a tree with multiple
branches. Two of which are Christian counselling and secular counselling. Understanding the
difference between Christian counselling and secular counselling is important so that you can
choose the best one for you.
Either counsellors’ (Christian or secular) aim is to help their clients. It’s the client’s duty to
identify their needs and then make a wise decision. Christian counselling is inclined towards
spiritual healing and secular counselling is inclined towards science-based healing.
Still confused about which one you should choose? Let’s get a deeper understanding of
both Christian as well as secular counselling. In this blog we will only state the difference
between the two, the choice will still be yours…
What Is Christian Counselling?
Christian counselling is faith-based counselling. The counsellor here has chosen the root of
spiritual healing for their clients. The entire process is seen through a biblical point of view.
Christian counsellors believe that the Bible was answers to all human issues and problems.
The Bible has solutions to most of our problems. We can find answers in parables and
stories mentioned in the Holy Bible. Christian counselling helps the client build a trust in the
almighty and believe that God will guide you out of darkness into light.
What Is Secular Counselling?
Secular counselling is science-based counselling. Secular counselors do not really focus on
religious or spiritual healing. Their main focus is to provide comfort to their client through tried
and tested scientific techniques which are more generic in nature.
Secular counsellors will go for more scientific practices and they believe that a man himself
will have to reach his goal. In case their client has a religious point of view, a secular counsellor
can talk to them about it but can’t use it further.
That is so because a secular counselor is not always completely aware of religious beliefs
and values. They are also not trained to treat someone through a religious point of view.
Therefore, they stick to scientific methods of counseling.
What Are The Similarities Between Christian Counselling And Secular Counselling?
Before we jump right into the difference between faith based counseling and science based
counselling, let’s quickly look at the similarities between the two…
Since both are forms of counselling there are a few things that both give equal weightage
to. The route may be different but the destination remains the same!
Both aim at providing comfort to their client
Both help their client in overcoming their fears, disabilities and irrational thoughts
Both work towards improving the relationship between their client and their significant
others.
Both help their client reach their desired goals
Both have their respective degrees to provide counselling to others
Both use similar techniques for self-help
To sum it all up, the method is almost the same, only the approach is different. It all
depends on you, which approach do you relate to more? Spiritual or scientific?
Shall we look at the differences between Christian and secular counselling now?
The Difference between Christian Counselling and Secular Counselling
They both have the same goal. It’s up to you which path you think will benefit you more. If
you are a spiritual person then Christian counselling will be better for you. If you believe in
science and scientific techniques the secular counselling will be better for you.
