TRAINING:

First thing to note is that WE ARE ALL MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL, and therefore we are all equipped to counsel and serve others in this way. With that said, I do believe if you are wanting to become a Biblical Counselor in a business or ministry setting, doing further training will best serve those you will be helping in the future. There are various programs you can choose from when thinking of becoming a Biblical Counselor whether it is a certificate program, degree program, or church led program. As a Naturopathic Health Practitioner, Biblical Counselor with a masters in Christian Counseling, and a trained Biblical Counselor from various Biblical Counseling organizations, I believe it is best to not just stop learning once you complete the training. Serving others as a counselor means working on your personal relationship with the Lord first and foremost, and always looking for ways to be strengthened and renewed by His word and with practical resources that can help your counselees. Having legitimate training not only helps you be a better counselor, it is also helpful in acquiring clients as most people will not want to pay for services from someone with no formal training.

SUPPORT:

Counseling is wonderfully encouraging and life-giving work, and it is terribly draining and difficult work as well- so SEEK OUT A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT! To be a good counselor, you must recognize your need for support in your work. Much like a pastor, counseling is a ministry and you are working with people who are most often hurting, without hope, and lost. It is not enough to have a passion to serve others, you also need to be poured into. Find other biblical counselors, join a support group, schedule meetings with a mentor/counselor, ask others for prayer, and communicate your needs. Servants often find it hard to ask for help, but to be a good counselor you have to consistently depend on the Lord for strength, and those around you.

YOU ARE NOT JUST A BIBLICAL COUNSELOR, YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER. If you are desiring to start your own business as a Biblical Counselor, don’t forget that in order to do so, you have to take the initiative to get everything done for your business, or figure out what you need to resource out. One of the most helpful things you can do before launching into starting a business is to seek out mentors, and gather a network of support to help you. Starting a business is not for the feint of heart, and having a network of people to keep you going will be so beneficial!

If you are doing sessions in-office, have tissues handy and within reach for counselees, as a way to serve them.
Give yourself 15 minutes before the session to prepare and pray over the time, and 10-15 minutes after the session to send over homework and take reflection notes on the session.
Stay organized within your business as well as with your counselees information. The more disorganized you are as a counselor, the more disorganized the sessions will be.