The Concept of Biblical Counseling 
Biblical counseling is committed to the position that Scripture provides the only authoritative guide for what we are to believe and how we are to live (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17). The Biblical Counselor is trained in the use of Scripture and the principles of biblical counseling. He does not base his counsel on man’s wisdom, opinions, experience, or concepts of behavior, (Isaiah 55:8-11) but seeks to bring the full range of Biblical truth to focus on the counselee’s need (Hebrews 4:12).

The Scope of Biblical Counseling
Biblical counseling deals with the entire range of problems confronting mankind including broken marriages, parent-child relationships, fear, depression, alcohol and drug abuse, tension, anxiety, worry, and any other problems that may result in mental and/or physical immobility. In short, the Biblical Counselor is equipped to deal with any problem dealing with ourselves, our relationship to God, or our fellow man (2 Peter 1:3).

Elements of Biblical Counseling
The Biblical Counselor will use all his skill in applying Biblical principles to enable you to glorify God in your life and to enable you to gain victory over the problems that are depriving you of the peace and joy that God has promised to you in His Word. The counselor will concentrate on three areas that are necessary for Biblical change to take place.

• H O P E – In Jesus Christ we have a great High Priest who has suffered and been tempted in all things, yet He never sinned. Because of Christ, even though you may be facing every sin common to man, you can have victory. God has promised that He will not let you be tempted beyond your endurance and that He will provide a way for you to have victory in the midst of your temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 4:14-16).

• CHANGE – In Christ we can learn how to lay aside the old selfish ways of living and put on the new ways of living in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can learn to please God in every area of our lives. We can learn to live a godly life and to live in such a way that we will be increasing in our knowledge of God and our ability to relate to others. Biblical counseling will enable you to make practical changes (Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 1:10).

• P R A C T I C E – We need to prove ourselves to be doers of God’s Word and not merely hearers of the Word. Only in the actual practice of the Scriptures shall we be blessed in what we do, and only then will we please the Lord (James 1:22-25; Proverbs 28:13).

Medical Needs
Biblical counselors believe in the total health needs of the counselee. The counselor may recommend that you have a full or specified medical examination. If medical assistance is required, counseling will continue in conjunction with medical advice.

Cost
Biblical counseling is a ministry of the church and is therefore free of charge. 

The Biblical Counseling Team 
Our counseling team consists of  pastors, elders, and ministry leaders along with ACBC certified biblical counselors, and trainees under the direct guidance of an ACBC supervising fellow. For more information on ACBC see their website at Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).

Length of Counseling
Normally, counseling sessions will last one hour per week and will continue for eight to twelve sessions. If you respond quickly to Biblical counsel, the number of counseling sessions may be lessened. However, if the counselor does not observe a definite change in the first few weeks, he will seek to identify the cause of the failure, discuss it with you to help you to correct it. You and your counselor will communicate regularly regarding your schedule. You will also be asked to commit to weekly homework assignments designated by your counselor.

Local Church Involvement
In order to achieve lasting victory over the problems of life, it is vital that each person become established in a consistent Christian walk. The Lord has provided the local church as the discipleship center (Hebrews 10:24, 25). Therefore, it is important that counseling sessions be accompanied by church attendance, participation in a group Bible study, and other discipleship activities in your local church. The counseling team may contact your church and request their assistance in involving you in these activities. One of your elders or deacons may even become part of the counseling team, to provide the most effective help for you. It is our commitment to do what will best bring about victory over your problems.

Do you provide counseling for children/teens?
Justin Halverson, our Pastor of Kids and Family, can meet with a child and their parent for counseling. Derek McFarland, Pastor of Students, or a member of his team can meet with any students (6th-12th) grade. Ellen Olford, our Director of Women, can meet with any girls who may need counseling as well. Contact counseling@centralchurch.com as your first step.

Can I bring my child to my counseling sessions?
We ask that you do not bring your child to your counseling session. However, we do provide childcare (Kids Club) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Please contact your counselor to ensure childcare is available.

• General Counseling Resources
  Jay Adams, Competent to Counsel
  Robert Jones, Pursuing Peace:  A Christian Guide to Handling Our Conflicts
  Health Lambert, A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry
  John MacArthur, Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically
  David Powlison: Seeing with New Eyes: Counseling and the Human Condition Through the Lens of Scripture
  Ken Sande, The Peacemaker
  Paul Tripp: Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change
• Marriage and Family Counseling
  Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jim Newheiser, When Good Kids Make Bad Choices: Help and Hope for Hurting Parents
  Dave Harvey, When Sinners Say I Do
  John Piper, This Momentary Marriage
  Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child’s Heart
  Wayne Mack, Strengthening Your Marriage
• Specific Counseling Issues:
  John MacArthur, The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness
  Robert Jones, Uprooting Anger
  Heath Lambert, Finally Free:  Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace
  Ken Sande, Peacemaking for Families
  John Street and John Macarthur, Men Counseling Men: A Biblical Guide to the Major Issues Men Face
  John Street and Janie Street, The Biblical Counseling Guide for Women
  Ed Welch, Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness
  Ed Welch, Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest
• Marriage & Family Resources:
  Discipleship
  Family Worship – Donald S. Whitney
  Sex
  What is the Meaning of Sex – Denny Burk
  Finance
  Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money – Dave Ramsey
  Marriage
  Whole Marriages in a Broken World – Gary Inrig
  Married for God – Christopher Ash
  Parenting
  Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family – Paul David Tripp
  Parenting/Discipleship
  Your Child’s Profession of Faith – Dennis Gundersen
• Women’s Resources:
  Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds – Jen Wilkin
  None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different From Us (And Why That’s A Good Thing) – Jen Wilkin
  The Pursuit of God – A.W. Tozer
  True Beauty – Carolyn Mahaney & Nicole Whitacre
  Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild