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It has become increasingly important for those seeking professional counseling to know the worldview beliefs and credentials of caregivers. This is because how counselors practice their craft is grounded in them and, ultimately, determines what I am calling, a Counseling Approach. An exhaustive statement of the connection between doctrinal beliefs and counseling practices at Fortress would be long and technical and beyond the purpose of this article. However, I do want to briefly summarize it to help your own understanding of what you can expect to find.

 

Biblically Based Counseling 

 

Many ministry professions will have a degree of familiarity with the history of counseling in the last 100 years. I won’t describe it here other than to state that our approach is, first and foremost, based on the authoritative truth of the Bible, as God’s word. It is no coincidence that I am an ordained minister and years before I completed graduate studies in counseling, I completed graduate training in Christian studies with extensive study in Bible history, Christian theology and biblically informed philosophy. 

 

The term “biblical counseling” has been used in recent decades to describe a particular theory of counseling with origins in its historic founder–Jay Adams. Though I have benefited from his seminal research and the further developments by his many students, my use of the term “biblically based” is to be taken more literally than organizationally. I continue to draw counseling insight from a variety of theological perspectives. However, I am primarily committed to the belief that the Bible itself is the final word on counseling, not a particular school or author. As stated in my doctrinal conviction, I believe the, 

 

All Scripture is self-attesting, and being Truth requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God—the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments—is a complete and unified witness to God’s redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks. On this sure foundation, we affirm these additional essentials of our faith.

 

Scientifically Valid Counseling 

 

My unyielding commitment to the Bible as God’s authoritative word does not mean there is nothing to be gained from thoughtful scientific study and research. This is why I also say that our approach is “scientifically valid.” God made us in his image but that did not exclude biological and neurological capacities shared by all human beings. Just because we believe God made our bodies doesn’t mean we should refuse to see a doctor for a broken bone. The doctor, trained in science, has skills that are useful to reset the injury. This can also be said for scientifically trained counselors, though not without careful qualification. 

 

Therefore, though I have studied in detail the various schools of psychology, neuroscience and counseling, I must always beware of the assumptions and worldlife viewpoints in all of them. Therefore, a cognitive theorist learns to view mental and emotional struggles in the context of “information processing patterns’ built up over time in the mind and the treatment options flowing from those assumptions are to “change the way we process information.” Though this cognitive theory was not developed by those with biblical assumptions, and is reflected in the details of what information processing patterns need to change and how, Bible believing Christians can certainly benefit from the basic truth they discovered. The difference will be the specific patterns that need to be changed and how. 

 

My biblical foundation has convinced me of a scientific perspective called “triune brain theory.” It is evident to me in the way the Bible commands us to love God with all our heart, mind and strength (for example, Deuteronomy 6:4,5). In my view, the “heart” describes what theorists would call the “affective brain”, meanwhile, the “mind” is similar to what they call the "cognitive brain.” Finally, what God calls the “strength” is the “behavioral brain,” the regions responsible for habits. If this topic is of interest to you, I often post articles about it in the Enrichment Center of this website. 

 

Clinically Tested Counseling 

 

My commitment to a biblically based and scientifically valid approach is ultimately expressed in a counseling method that is Clinically Tested. This means two things. 

 

First, the application of my approach is continually refined by observing and measuring the therapeutic outcomes in the lives of my clients. The Bible's final authority is timeless, and God's creation (which is studied by science) is consistent, but the application of these truths to individual, complex human lives requires a flexible and discerning methodology. The Bible calls this “wisdom” and therefore, wisdom, as the careful application of truth, is a foundation for my counseling. 

 

Second, "clinically tested" means integrating the gold-standard of evidence-based practices (EBPs) with a biblical worldview. I utilize methods from established, peer-reviewed psychological theories—such as those found in cognitive and behavioral therapies—but always with the qualification that the ultimate source of truth concerning human nature and change is the Word of God. The "triune brain theory" (affective, cognitive, and behavioral) provides a framework for a holistic perspective of selecting and applying specific, clinical techniques that address the whole person, as commanded by the Scripture to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. The goal is to ensure the counseling provided is not just theoretically sound but demonstrably effective in facilitating lasting, life-changing transformation.