Counseling & The Spiritual Spectrum
Statement on Christian Counseling, Non-Believers, & Spiritual Matters by our Founder, Valarie L. Harris, LPC-MHSP
“As the Founder of Trauma & Therapy Center of Tennessee (TTCT), my faith is not necessarily representational of everyone in this group practice. Some of our providers identify as Christians, while others may identify differently or not at all. This statement of beliefs applies to those working in this practice who identify themselves as Christians. TTCT will always aim to employ providers who are best equipped to serve those in our community regardless of their faith, religious affiliation or lack thereof.
We do not advertise ourselves as “Christian Counselors” as our Christianity or faith in Jesus is not our professional credential. Our credentials are based on our education and training. Our identity, as followers of Jesus, is in the person and work of Christ Jesus and as such, it follows us into every walk of life including counseling, when appropriate.
As believers, we believe that counseling is a calling given to us by God. We believe that we are to be on mission at all times and that our mission field consists of those who walk into our offices. Although we have been formally educated licensed and professionally trained, we are not God nor will we pretend to be. We are instruments to be used in the hands of God. This calling comes with great responsibility.
The Bible commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul and then we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Given this, we want to be available to people from ALL walks of life whether or not they agree with our beliefs. We want to be available for use by God in whatever capacity He chooses in the field of counseling.”
All Providers adhere To The Following Guiding Treatment Principles on Spiritual matters:
Spirituality is complex and personal
“Church hurt” can be traumatic and leave one with betrayal trauma
Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse, often resulting in trauma
Sexual abuse (in any religious system) is a form of sexual and spiritual abuse, often resulting in complex trauma
Refusing to treat clients on the basis of faith is both discriminatory and unethical, even if the State of Tennessee allows this
Scripture, out of context, is harmful, whether intentional or not
Our Commitment to our clients:
For those who profess beliefs other than Christianity or for those who aren’t even sure what they believe or if they believe, our providers will assess their spirituality and what it means to them as it is important to understand whether it has been a source of strength, harm, or confusion. We will meet them where they are and remain cognizant of the fact that spirituality is a personal journey, which doesn’t always include organized religion. We will not use our beliefs to try and change anyone as that is not appropriate and can be harmful. We will not use our beliefs to try and influence the choices of another as that is not what counseling is about.
For those who profess belief in God, Jesus, or Christianity, we will assess their spirituality to look for ways to utilize this as a strength in obtaining their goals. We will respect and honor their spiritual journey and readily assist them with strengthening their spiritual walk (if they desire to do so) with prayer, scriptures and biblical education. We may pull from a combination of resources such as: ESV Study Bible, prayer, various authors (Ed Welch, Jay Adams, Hannah Hurnard, C.S. Lewis, Rick Warren, etc), Celebrate Recovery, etc.
Doctrinal Statement of Christian Counseling
1. The Scriptures
We believe that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and are given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, all Scripture is authoritative, infallible, and inerrant. The Scriptures are fully sufficient, and are the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. We do not believe that other books are inspired by God in the same way as the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21; Psalm 19:7-10; Mark 13:31; John 8:31-32; John 20:30-31; Acts 20:32; Psalm 119:9-11
2. The Trinity
We believe that there is one living and true God who is without division of nature, essence, or being, but who eternally exists in three persons. These three persons are equal in every divine perfection, and they execute distinct but harmonious offices and roles in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.
Matthew 28:18-20; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 4:4-6; Genesis 1:1-2, 26; John 1:1-3,14; Romans 8:11; John 14:8-17
3. God the Father
We believe in God the Father, the head of the Triune Godhead. He is an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. He infallibly foreknows all that shall come to pass, concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, hears and answers prayer, and saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:1; Revelation 22:13; John 4:24; Matthew 5:48; Hebrews 6:18; Hebrews 4:13; Isaiah 46:9-10; Psalm 139:7-16; Psalm 18:1-15; Job 38:1-18; 1 John 4:7; Matthew 6:8; Luke 10:21-22; Proverbs 21:1; John 3:16; I Peter 1:3
4. The Person and Work of Jesus Christ
We believe in Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, The Counselor, who is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. He is fully God and fully man, and is the divinely appointed mediator between God and man. Having taken upon Himself human nature, yet without sin, He perfectly fulfilled the law, and suffered and died upon the cross for the salvation of sinners. He was buried, rose again the third day, and ascended to His Father, at whose right hand He ever lives to make intercession for His people. He will return again visibly and bodily in the Father’s perfect time. He is the only Prophet, Priest, and King of the church, and Sovereign of the universe. He was counseling before any of us were around. How cool is that?
John 3:16; John 1:1-14; Colossians 1:15-20; Romans 8:31-34; Matthew 16:13-17; Isaiah 53; Philippians 2:5-7; Acts 1:9-11; John 8:58; Hebrews 1:1-3; Romans 3:21-26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 7:25
5. The Holy Spirit
We believe in the Holy Spirit, who is fully God, and a person, not an “it.” He convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, and is the Supernatural Agent in regeneration. He baptizes all believers into the body of Christ, and indwells and seals them for day of redemption. The Holy Spirit is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide.
Genesis 1:2; Acts 5:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11; John 14:26; John 16:8-11; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16-25; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Ephesians 4:4-6; John 14:16-17; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Ephesians 1:13-14; John 15:26-27
6. The Total Depravity of Man
We believe that man was created in the image and likeness of God, but that through Adam’s sin the entire human race fell, inherited a sinful nature, and became alienated from God. All people sin and are by nature children of wrath, totally depraved, and utterly unable to remedy our lost condition.
Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3; Romans 3:9-18; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:18; Ephesians 2:1-3; Ephesians 2:12; Isaiah 64:6-7; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 7:18
7. Salvation
We believe that salvation is a gift brought to man by the free grace and pleasure of God. Salvation was accomplished through Christ’s substitutionary life and death, and His resurrection from the grave. Salvation can be received only by repentance of sins and personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.
Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 3:23-26; Isaiah 43:25; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 8:3-4; John 3:16; Acts 20:20-21; John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10
8. Sanctification
We believe that all Christians are saved unto a life-long process of growth in holiness (i.e. a process of being made more and more like Christ). This includes a progressive growth in: the knowledge of God, understanding of God, good works, love of God, and love of others. Sanctification includes constant confession and repentance (which means not merely acknowledging sin, but turning from it). While all Christians are called to grow in Christ-likeness, no one will ever arrive at perfection before death.
Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:1-17; Galatians 5:13-25; John 17:17; Ephesians 3:14-21; Philippians 2:12-13; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Peter 1:3-11; Colossians 3:1-17; Mark 12:30; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 1 John 1:8-9; Luke 3:8; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Corinthians 13:12
9. Eternal Security and the Assurance of Believers
We believe that those who are redeemed, once saved, are kept by God’s power and secure in Christ forever. We believe that it is the privilege of believers to rejoice in the assurance of their salvation, while realizing that the Bible clearly forbids the use of Christian liberty as an occasion for sin. Assurance is based upon the person and work of Christ, the testimony of the Spirit, and the evidence of conversion in the life of a believer.
John 6:37-40; John 10:27-30; Romans 8:1-4; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 13:13-14; Galatians 5:13; Romans 8:16-17; Romans 8:38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:4-8; Colossians 1:21-23; James 2:14-26; Hebrews 3:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 1:5; Titus 2:11-15
10. The Church
We believe that the Lord Jesus is the Head of the church, which is composed of all His true disciples. Christians are to associate themselves into local bodies for the purpose of worship, growth as disciples, service, fellowship, and missions. To each local body, Christ has given the authority for administering order, discipline, and worship. The regular officers of a church are Elders (other names for Elders include: Pastors or Overseers) and Deacons. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost world.
Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 5:23; John 10:16; Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:42-47; Matthew 28:18-20; Galatians 3:10; Colossians 1:28-29; 1 Timothy 3:15; Acts 20:17; Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Acts 6:1-6; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 5:17-19
11. Christian Conduct
We believe that a Christian should live for the glory of God, the well-being of their fellow man, and should seek the well-being of the cities and cultures in which they live. The conduct of Christians should be blameless before the world. Christians are called to be faithful stewards of their time, talents (spiritual gifts), and possessions.
1 Corinthians 10:31; Romans 12:1-3; Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 12:12; Mark 12:30-31; 1 Corinthians 13; Jeremiah 29:4-7; John 14:15; John 14:23-24; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 14:26; Luke 12:42-48
12. The Ordinances
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ has committed two ordinances to the local church: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (i.e. Communion or the Eucharist). We believe that the only proper mode of Christian baptism is by the immersion of the believer into water. Baptism does not save an individual, but is necessary for obedience and is a picture of the believer’s union with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. We believe that the Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ as a commemoration of His death. Just like baptism, the Lord’s Supper does not save individuals, but is necessary for our obedience. During Communion, Christ is not present in the wine and bread themselves, but inhabits the presence of His people as we remember his death. We believe that these two ordinances should be observed and administered until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, and our only for believers.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:41; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 1:17; Matthew 3:13-17; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; Matthew 26:20-29; Luke 22:14-23
13. The Last Things
We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body, the final judgment, the eternal life and joy of the righteous in the new heaven and the new earth and the endless suffering of the wicked in hell.
Mark 14:62; Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; John 14:3; Titus 2:11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Philippians 3:21-22; Matthew 16:27; 2 Timothy 4:1; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 Corinthians 15; Philippians 3:20; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; Revelation 20:4-6; Revelation 21:1-8
14. Open Hand and Close Hand
We believe that Christian doctrine can be divided into categories of “open-handed doctrine” and “closed-handed doctrine.” Closed-handed doctrines are the core, essential beliefs that must be accepted by adherents of Christianity. If these doctrines are not believed, then the person denying them is not truly a Christ-follower because he/she has denied beliefs essential to the faith. Examples of closed-handed doctrines are: belief in the Trinity, the complete divinity of Jesus, the holiness of God, salvation only by grace through faith, and the inerrancy of the Bible. Open-handed doctrines are beliefs that are secondary to core, closed-handed doctrines. Christians may have different opinions about the Bible’s teaching on open-handed doctrines. Open-handed doctrines are still extremely important, but Christians can differ on these issues and still claim a true, Christian faith. Examples of open-handed doctrines include: the Bible’s teaching on the extent of man’s will and God’s will in regards to salvation, what the Bible teaches about issues of conscious such as the consumption of alcohol and which movies we choose to watch, and how we choose to raise our kids. We encourage Christians who disagree with each other on open-handed issues to live together harmoniously as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The same goes for the counseling process; however, those who believe differently than we may about close-handed issues are always welcomed and will never be asked to defend their beliefs.
John 14:6; Galatians 1:6-9; Philippians 1:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:5-15; Romans 14:12-23; Colossians 2:17; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5; Acts 10:9-16
This doctrinal statement was developed with assistance from the following entities:
Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, MN
Immanuel Baptist Church, Louisville, KY
The Gospel Coalition