Biblical Counselling

A Biblical Counselling approach begins with the fundamental premise that we are embodied souls, created by God to serve and honour Him.  The world offers a different narrative that can lead to comfort being sought in places other than at the feet of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  When we accept and live out the truth that we are perfectly known and designed by God, all difficulties find their answer and comfort within the living word of scripture.  However, it is very easy to lose our way and to feel quite lost and alone. 

At these times a biblical counsellor can help you to reorientate your struggle with scripture, to recognise 'blind spots' and support you to move towards the Lord by seeing his light shining in the darkness of a personal struggle.

'In your light we see light'

Psalm 36:9

Problems with our Christian walk can arise when our hearts become distant from God, not seeking his care and wisdom at times of need and living our lives as though he is a Sunday acquaintance rather than the most important and fundamental relationship we will ever experience.  The quality of our relationship with the Lord is also reflected within our relationships towards others too.

Christian beliefs and the guidance we find in scripture not only shape who we are, the decisions we make, the relationships we seek and the purposes and meaning we find in life, they also help us to manage our emotions, to recognise and move away from destructive behaviours and to find an everlasting peace that is beyond our understanding. 

‘All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work’

2 Timothy 3:16

A fundamental difference in Biblical Counselling is that the counsellor is not seen as an 'expert' but a fellow sufferer, sinner and saint who faces similar challenges with pursuing a righteous life in the midst of a fallen world.  We are also not alone in the relationship, the Lord is with us and working through his Holy Spirit to provide guidance and comfort on the journey. The process will involve work outside sessions agreed collaboratively to help raise awareness of patterns and to strengthen your relationship with the Lord. 

I am a partner of the Biblical Counselling Coalition so, as such, I align my core convictions and beliefs with their Confessional and Doctrinal statements which can be downloaded from www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/partner-with-us/

'Because I love God, I want to handle his truth with accuracy, clarity and specificity.  I want to build bridges of understanding from the wisdom of the Word to the details of people's lives.  And because I love people, I will not be satisfied with lobbing grenades of general truth at them.  Rather, through good questions, committed listening, and careful interpretation.  I will enter their world with the understanding necessary to bring Christ's help to where it is really needed'

 (Paul Tripp, 'Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in need of change helping people in need of change' p.197)

‘His candle shineth upon my head, and by his light I walk through darkness.’

Job 29:3