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What do you mean by "biblical counselor"? If you mean doctrine or theology, then phychology is not necessary, but if you mean personal, marriage, relationship, etc. counceling then absolutely; psychology is a must.
Personally, I feel that both are indispensable. Oftentimes, a purely spiritual/biblical approach is best; likewise, other times a psychological approach is called for. Still other times, a blending of the two will reap results. Really, it depends on the nature and the source of the problem being presented.
There are those who say that psychology has no business being used on a Christian. I strongly disagree. As we are learning, more and more disorders have an organic and chemical root which can often be successfully treated with medication and the proper therapy. Myself, I tend toward Cognitive/Behavioral approaches, as it is entirely possible to bring about a complete shift in thought processes and thus effect change literally at the chemical level.
Besides, what Christian (other than a certain few) would have a problem with a fellow Christian going to an oncologist for cancer or a cardiologist for heart problems? Psychology is simply another branch of the scientific tree. Granted, there are a few nuts hanging from that branch, but I think the same can be said for most of the other branches as well.
God gave us the gift of inquiry and research so that we might live healthier. Why reject the gift?
Stay miles away from a "Christian psychological counsellor" because they have an agenda before they even see you or hear the issues that are making you ill.
Let me add in the interests of clarification. A client of a Christian counsellor will not be allowed to come to the conclusion that, "Gee, Christianity is really making me sick!"
Christian counselors are normally all trained in various couseling methods. And no they do not have hidden agendas besides helping a person get over thier problems, And of course since Christianity is not a item to make someone sick, there would not be that conclusion, but they can help you find ways to deal with issues, as in other methods. They will have methods of questioning things you are doing, and have methods of marriage couseling.
Now not all pastors are trained in couseling, but many untrained pastors do couselor people. So don't be afraid to ask. If you are looking for someone to talk to , any pastor may be a good choice, but if you need indebt couseling, a religious counselor is always a good choice.
Of course if you hate religion, you would not be willing to accept their help, so why would you chose them. But many addresses the issues using bibical principles, which are good to live by even if you are not religious.
Rather than put religion and psychology at odds, as some of the anti religious may pose, the scientific are willing to see both as complements to better mental health.
There is no doubt that "religious leaders" have caused mental health problems. For example : molestation, or Jim Jones or David Koresh, but these are not true representations of the divine or of Christian teaching.
Psychology is useful because, like what the Bible teaches, THERE ARE normal STANDARDS, and psychopathology is a deviation from the normal.
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