Christian counselling, also known as biblical counselling and Christian psychology, is said to combine your faith with the principles of psychology to improve your mental health and relationships. More specifically, this therapy approach uses scripture and biblical teachings to help you deal with life’s challenges.

In the article, 10 Myths Keeping Christians from the Counseling They Need, written by Dr R. Y. Langham, she says that while there’s little hesitation for someone to schedule an appointment with a family physician when they’re under the weather, there seems to be great pause for most people before considering talking with a therapist.

"This hesitation,” the article continues, "seems to run deepest within Christian circles. From a need to portray a perfect life to feeling like a disappointment to God for needing help, a Christian can feel a lot of guilt in seeing a medical-mental professional. But the truth is, God never expected us to be perfect. If He did, He wouldn’t have sent Jesus! He also never thought we could do life alone because He makes it quite clear that together, with those around us, we are the body of Christ.”

Religious leaders not only preach, they also offer counselling to their followers when needed, and encourage people to open up about the issues in their lives. 

Many Christians are exemplary in society and do the will of God, but can prayer alone assist them in healing their own pain or trauma?

Justine Mirembe, a Christian with Phaneroo Ministries International, says that counselling should be based on the Word of God because in Him we live.

"Our lives are defined by the Word of God, I  believe Christians reach a certain point when they are full of the wisdom of God that they know what to do and when to do it, that they don’t need counselling.

"But that also doesn’t mean that they can’t listen to anyone because God still speaks through men, though He also speaks to each individual on a personal basis,” she says.

The root of Christian counselling, according to Dr Langham’s article, lies within biblical accounts. Jay E. Adams, the founder of the Biblical Counseling Movement, discussed this faith-based approach to treating mental health conditions, relationship/adjustment issues, trauma, emotional distress, abuse, addiction, etc., in his novel, Competent to Counsel.

Kenneth Kalisa, a gospel artiste, says that Christians are human, not mystical beings, meaning they have a soul and it’s where their emotions are. So when you are not healthy mentally or even spiritually, you can’t be okay. That’s why counselling is imperative. 

According to Daniel Ganza, a youth counsellor in Kigali, no man is an island, no one knows it all or has it all together.

"Proverbs 11:14 says, ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall but in the multitude of counsellors’ there is safety.’ God expects to inquire or seek guidance from other people, especially from credible people, men and women of integrity with a good reputation. All blessings come from God through people to people, that’s the principle, therefore, guidance ought to be sought,” Ganza says. 

Joel Christer, a Christian in Kigali, says even though Christians have the Holy Spirit that dwells in them as their counsellor, sometimes they need counselling. Christians need counselling because they are not immune to a breakdown.

"Although you might count on friends and family for counselling, sometimes the burden may be too much for them, which is why there is value in working with an actual therapist. A therapist is trained to not only listen, but also help you work through everything. They will provide an unbiased opinion, and, most importantly, they can tell if there’s something more severe going on,” Christer says. 

This is backed by Proverbs 15:22 that says, ‘Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.’

Enock Luyonza, a Christian author, says that it is important to note that the Bible is a collection of stories of real people. He adds that Christians need counselling but this kind of counselling should be within the confines of the Bible which is the whole counsel of God. One man referred to the Bible as the Word of God, which, he says, is the wisest perspective we can bring to any situation. 

Luyonza says no one is resistant to hindrance, and what most people need when a storm hits, is courage to go through it. The work of a counsellor is to give guidance to anyone experiencing discouragement. 

"The truth is, when you are in the midst of troubling life events like the death of a loved one or pet, the loss of a job, declining health, financial problems, and/or relationship issues, a strong and resilient faith may be just what is missing from your life.

"The ultimate goal of Christian counselling is to help Christians identify behaviours that are inconsistent with God’s teachings, so they can become more accepting of God’s will – even when it’s not their will.  Christian counsellors believe that the bible is the ultimate guide on how people, especially Christians, should think and behave. In other words, they view this holy book as the one and only truth,” Dr Langham writes.