BIBLICAL COUNSELLING
ACROSS THE UNITED KINGDOM
DEAN FOLEY - BIBLICAL COUNSELLOR
Registered MBACP & ACC, Adv Dip. (Couns)
I graduated from Spurgeon's College in 2008 with an Advanced Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling, and two certificates in counselling studies and counselling skills. I worked for two years as a volunteer with the All Soul's Counselling Service based in their Cleveland Street premises starting in 2007 before entering private practice in the City of London near St Paul's Cathedral in 2009.
Later, I worked for some years out of Angel Church (Angel, Islington EC1R), and Dundonald Church (Wimbledon SW20). I am a registered member of both the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (Reg. MBACP) and the Association of Christian Counsellors (Reg. ACC) and have over 8,000 client hours experience in a wide range of presenting issues.
WHAT IS COUNSELLING?
WHAT IS THERAPY?
The BACP define counselling in the following terms "...counselling and psychotherapy are umbrella terms that cover a range of talking therapies. They are delivered by trained practitioners who work with people over a short or long term to help them bring about effective change or enhance their well-being".
The BACP describe therapy as "...time set aside by you and the therapist to look at what has brought you to therapy. This might include talking about life events, (past and present), feelings, emotions, relationships, ways of thinking and patterns of behaviour. The therapist will do their best to help you to look at your issues, and to identify the right course of action for you, either to help you resolve your difficulties or help you find ways of coping".
WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT BIBLICAL COUNSELLING?
The safeguards remain the same, the work is confidential, non-judgemental, collaborative and safe. It's also covered by regular supervision. But with Biblical Counselling, the word of God, sensitively explored and applied to the client's situation and life and covered by prayer, is the primary means of change. That change is encouraged to continue in the safety of a loving local church under the authority and care of its Leadership.
Past clients have struggled with a number of issues including anxiety, depression, addiction (alcohol, pornography etc.), infidelity, adultery, STDs, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), identity issues, infertility, singleness, marital issues, ministry (both laypeople and ministers), burn out, work-related issues and many more.
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Clients have been amazed at the power of Biblical Counselling to effect change. It is, of course, the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God as we align ourselves with God's will (1 Thess 2:13, John 17:17). The vast majority of clients also become more active in their local church as a result, fulfilling their God-given ministry to the fellowships they've been placed in. Much of modern counselling is client-centred, Biblical Counselling is Christ-centred, the results speak for themselves.