Bridging the Divide: A Closer Look at Family Counseling

One of the hardest parts of trying to lead or support a family is the conflict that inevitably pops up along the journey of life. Because the simple fact that no one in the world is perfect always holds true, it’s impossible to have a marriage or family life that is devoid of issues and disagreements. However, this doesn’t mean that you and your family must simply live with the specter of these problems haunting your daily lives. Instead, consider how family counseling can help you overcome these issues and live a healthier and happier life.

The Point of Seeking Counseling

So what are the main reasons to seek Christian family counseling? For many couples, the decision begins with issues that stem from the bond between husband and wife. Whether this is a lack of communication, growing apart romantically, or extramarital affairs and other external concerns, counseling can help sort these issues out and get you on the right path to rebuilding the relationship or moving on. Additionally, other hard topics to broach, like the death of a loved one and strained relationships between parents and children, are also prime reasons to seek out this kind of help.

How a Session Works

A session of this type of counseling relies on a few pivotal methods and approaches. Naturally, faith and spirituality – specifically looking to God and biblical teachings for guidance in overcoming these problems – play a big role. However, being Christian or attending a certain church isn’t expected of you and your family. What is expected is a willingness to accept and consider a professional, outside perspective of your personal trials and tribulations that does come from a faith-based point of view. For all of the family members involved in the session, understanding and working under this system is the best way to yield a result and get the help that all involved need going forward.

Counseling Techniques

Some fairly conventional, yet effective, techniques play a major role in the Christian family counseling process. First on the list is role-playing and scenario evaluation. When used effectively, these counseling tools can help you and your family members see things from a perspective that had previously been locked behind personal bias. Additionally, reviewing all the key points of your life, as well as doing the same for others attending the sessions, can help uncover lingering issues and other concerns that could have been the source of a problem or exacerbated other conflicts. Finally, “homework” assignments can take the healing and reconciliation tactics home, further promoting healthy communication and personal connections.

Finding a Solution

If all goes well, then the goal of this counseling is to use faith and Christian teachings as a foundation upon which you and your family can build a happy and reconciled future. This includes spending more time with one another and reestablishing connections that were fractured or damaged, as well as reaffirming marital commitments and care for one another. In the unfortunate event that the counseling simply can’t help mend these problems, continued support and guidance is always there to ensure that everyone can move on in a healthy and effective manner.

Mark Jones

Mark earned his Master’s Degree in Christian Education in 1992 from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a Board-Certified, Faith-Based Clinical Counselor. He has taught and lead worship around the country and ministered in North America, Africa and India. He serves as Chairman of the Board for Shabby Chic Ministries, www.shabbychicministries.com/, based in Dallas, Texas. He has been in full-time pastoral ministry for 27 years. Mark has been married to his beautiful wife Rebecca for over 23 years and together they have 4 wonderful children, ranging in ages from 21 years old to 2 years old. As pastor on the Staff at Trinity Bible Church in Richardson, Texas, Mark serves as the pastor of Worship and Prayer and has a growing ministry in counseling, both to members of the church and the community at large.