A major part of counseling is resolving conflicts within and between people.
Christian counselors have an absolute standard by which to measure their objectives and evaluate their counselee's lifestyle. We see the Bible as the source of all truth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Pastoral (Christian) counseling represents a major national resource for community mental health services, both therapeutic and preventive. This is because religious communities are one of the principal gateways for those seeking relief from human suffering, including mental and emotional illness, drug and alcohol abuse, family conflict, depression, child and spousal abuse, juvenile delinquency, and other problems. Pastoral counseling has become a major provider of mental health services in the United States, accounting for over 3 million hours of treatment annually in both institutional and private settings, offering individual, group, marital and family therapy.
