Christian Counseling Degree Program: Is it the right path for you?

You want to help others overcome their psychological, emotional, personal or social difficulties. And your Christian faith is important to you. You’re trying to decide on where to get your degree, and what degree to pursue that will best fit your needs and goals. Suddenly you run across an ad talking about a Christian counseling degree program.
You’re a Christian, and you’re interested in a degree in counseling–but is a Christian counseling program the right one for you?

The differences between Christian counseling and secular counseling training programs.

No one but you can answer the question of whether or not a Christian counseling major is right for you. It depends on your particular goals and, of course, on your beliefs. Understanding the differences-and similarities-between Christian and secular counseling practices themselves, however, may help you make your choice.
The main difference between a Christian counseling degree program and a secular program that deals with counseling or psychology is the foundation of the program. That is, while both a secular counseling degree and a Christian counseling degree program will teach you some similar methods and theories, they each do so from a different point of view.
Secular programs take a trial and error stance on many things, and reserve moral judgments. They don’t talk in absolutes, or teach absolutes-they’re interested in results, in what seems to work, whatever that may be.
Christian programs, however, do speak in absolutes and do take a stance on moral behaviors. The absolute that the Christian counseling degree program is based on, of course, is the Bible and the teachings of Christianity.
Both secular and Christian counselors are trained in psychoanalysis and conflict resolution, and stay up to date with medical treatments for those who suffer psychological problems.