christian counseling

becca · 11-23-2001, 08:58 PM

ok, techncally i'm not a church staffer as of right now, but i feal that God has called me to pursue a career in christian counseling, working within a church. i'm a senior in high school right now, and i'm kinda wondering about the whole what-i'm-going-to-major-in deal. right now i'm thinking of majoring in psycology and minoring in biblical studies (i plan on going to a christian college). is there anybody out there with this occupation????

*insert bad echo effects*

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OnEaglesWings · 11-28-2001, 06:39 PM

can't say I am, although I've thought about it...I'm a little young though. But first of all, I feel bad for you for not having any replies, and secondly, I want to congratulate you on choosing a wonderful profession. Also, I know you've probably already thought of this but I do know people who've done similar things and perhaps you should look into a seminary or something...I mean before you go to college. That way you'd know what you should study.

BIGFATJAM · 01-08-2002, 03:13 PM

I know this reply to your original post may be a little too late but I thought I would respond regardless

I am not a licensed counselor, however, I am in the beginning stages of getting my masters in counseling so I know the field fairly well. Let me give you a few things to think about as you sort through all this.

I would encourage you to get a degree in psychology only if you are certain that you plan on getting further education. My wife has an undergraduate degree in psychology and in Bible and she has found the psychology degree to be very, very limiting in the job market (though it doesn’t matter much now cause she stays at home with our daughter

). After graduation she found it very frustrating that she couldn't use her degree in psychology. She often wondered why she paid $60,000 (we both went to Northwestern College, an awesome, highly recommended private Christian College in St. Paul, MN) for a degree that she couldn't use. My point to all this: don't go into psychology unless you plan on getting your masters. There are alot of equations to consider such as: do you plan on counseling forever? or do you plan on staying home with your children? Do you want to work part time or full time. All these things will effect your decision now. Take the time to think and pray these things through. I trust that God will make things evident to you