Christian Counseling Ohio | Cincinnati | Dayton

Counseling Philosophy

The following statements explain how NRC achieves through counseling its mission (see Mission Statement) in the context of its faith (see Faith Statement):

• NRC counseling is Christian discipleship; counseling, the primary role of the Holy Spirit, is the application of God’s truth to the client’s life.

• NRC staff are willing vessels for God to use for His purposes; we trust God is present and at work in the counseling session through the Holy Spirit; we rely on the Holy Spirit to interpret and communicate God’s truth found in the Scriptures.

• The counseling process has elements of truthful objectivity and artful application; we use the Scriptures to test and purify our counseling interventions; the Holy Spirit assists us in using creative ways to communicate the truth to each unique person.

• Every client is at a unique place in their faith journey; some clients are ready for or benefit from direct communication of Scripture’s teaching; other clients benefit from communication using everyday words and phrases. We attempt to intervene in the client’s life using whatever method will most expeditiously help the client develop a deeper understanding and closer relationship with God.

• To heal, clients need both truth and grace; we attempt to communicate God’s truth (confronting) in love (supporting).

• To heal, clients need to hear the truth and experience the truth; we attempt to communicate God’s truth (teaching) and be God’s truth (loving).

• Counseling works best when relationship precedes confrontation; we seek to develop a relationship with the client with the goal of earning the right to speak truth into the client’s life; the Holy Spirit helps us discern the appropriate timing for confronting and supporting.

• The Holy Spirit gifts us with spiritual gifts and whatever else is needed so we may accomplish God’s work.

• God uses us, imperfect as we are, to help others who are also imperfect; we do not know everything; we recognize the need to be lifetime students of God’s principles.

• We need an active, growing faith in order to help clients; we attempt to live out our faith genuinely both in our personal lives and in our counseling sessions.

• The Gospel is the number one foundational truth, having the most power to bring true change to a client.

• We pray with clients and/or for clients as God leads.

• Professional counseling is beneficial to the client because it provides an objective and focused environment (as free as possible from ulterior motives and distractions).

• We anticipate God’s kingdom to be advanced in some way as a result of our effort.

Core Elements of the Counseling Process

Care + Compassion Lead To Clarity + Connection + Challenge Lead To Change + Calling

Care: Listening with interest and concern.
Compassion: Feeling your distress.
Clarity: Opening your eyes to God.
Connection: Making God real.
Challenge: Pointing to the Truth.
Change: Transforming how you see yourself.
Calling: Advancing God’s purpose for your life.