WHY SHOULD PEOPLE
PAY FOR CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING?
Some people wonder why counselling shouldn't be
free on a Christian website. I can't speak
for anyone else, however, I charge professional
fees for a number of reasons.
Having spent five years in University while
raising kids and working in between, I achieved
the academic qualifications to provide professional
counselling services. The feedback clients receive
on my site is based on extensive experience and
ongoing education.
People wouldn't expect to go into a Christian
bookstore and walk out with books without having
paid for them just because it is a "Christian" bookstore.
Nor would anyone vist a Christian dentist, have
their teeth fixed and then not expect to pay
because the dentist is a Christian. Even Pastors
who provide counseling free of charge to their
church members are getting paid as the Pastor.
Everyone has to make a living and I am no exception.
This means I have bills to pay and groceries
to buy to feed my family.
Professional, Christian counselling can, and
often does, make a tremendous difference in people's
lives. Relationships can be restored, depression
and anxiety overcome, self-esteem increased,
spiritual growth experienced and so forth-lasting
improvements in people's lives. Any changes such
as these are well worth any money invested in
the process. The Bible states in I Corinthians
9:11 that "if we sowed spiritual things
in you, is it too much if we should reap material
things from you?"
Many people say they can't afford counselling
yet they have a computer, internet service and
so forth. Sometimes, counseling may need to be
a priority. Having said that, I wouldn't want
anyone who needs counselling to be deprived so
I try to accommodate those who may be truly experiencing
financial hardship.
I refer people to free Christian counselling
online, to pastoral counselling, and have even
suggested they work with a counselling student
of mine at no charge. Of course, this means they
may receive untrained help and they may have
to wait weeks for a response. If a person is
experiencing a crisis, they may talk to someone
immediately, however, at www.samaritans.org In
addition, I have been willing to accept payments
in installments or gear fees to their income.
If I were in a financial position where I didn't
need to earn a living, would I provide free Christian
counselling? Yes, because I care about people
and want to help them and feel called of God
to do this. Even if that were the case, however,
It would be virtually impossible to accommodate
all the requests I receive for free counselling.
|
