State License or GOD's License?
Each of us must choose if we want to be a representative of the state or a representative of GOD. If you have a divine call on your life to counsel and minister to those that hurting, then a state license will put many limitations on your ability to do so.
A Christ Centered Licensing Program is not designed to be and is not a state license. Most if not all, states have regulatory laws governing the practice of psychology and therapy within their jurisdiction. Many of them also legislate the practice of counseling. These laws vary from state to state.
For instance, some states have a counseling category referred to as "Licensed Professional Counselor". These states prohibit Christ-Centered Psychologists & Counselors from using the initials "L.P.C." Their title must be spelled out as, Licensed Pastoral Counselor or Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor. This ensures that the Christ-Centered Pastoral & Theocentric Psychologists & Counselors are operating within legal and ethical standards as well as being true to their calling.
Of course, State regulatory laws help to protect the public and ensure professionalism with the Psychology & Counseling profession. We strive to an even higher standard within the Christian community, as we represent the One Most High, and need to operate so, as to avoid infringing upon state regulations.
The state and federal governments also still have jurisdictional boundaries. At this point, they cannot implement laws that prevent us from fulfilling GOD's purpose and ministering to those hurting and in need. The state recognizes that counseling is one of the responsibilities of the Church and it's clergy involved. For this reason, the state does not and should never interfere with the ministry of counseling.
The enormous aberration between state-licensed professional counselors and Pastoral & Theocentric Psychologists & Counselors, who are licensed by an entity like us and under the authority of the Church (Body of Christ), is clear and well-defined.
Those who have been licensed by the state are held to strict ethical standards (secular) which mandate an individual's right to be free from religious interference. The state licensed professional counselor is usually forbidden to pray, speak of GOD or JESUS CHRIST, or read or refer to the Holy Scriptures in their counseling sessions. The only time a state licensed counselor can involve religious (Christian) principles, morals, activities, etc., is if the counselee initiates or requests counsel in this area. Even then, the state licensed professional counselor can still be accused by a client of breaching their ethical standards. Because of this, most state licensed counselors, whether the are believers or not, will not integrate their beliefs with their practice.
Adversely, Pastoral & Theocentric Psychologists & Counselors, by the nature of their calling are mandated to pray, share their faith, read the Holy Scriptures, and offer therapy from a Christ-Centered and Biblical perspective. By this we as Pastoral & Theocentric Psychologists & Counselors are distinct from our secular peers.
As it is clearly represented, secular psychologists & counselors are governed by the state and We the church, are governed by the ultimate authority, The LORD JESUS CHRIST. We the church, are responsible to set the standards and govern ministers (Called of GOD) who have devoted their lives to the ministry and to Pastoral & Theocentric Psychologists & Counselors.
None of this is to say that a Christian counselor in it's various forms, is not permitted to request fees and receive remuneration for the services they render. For Paul tells us in, 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NLT)
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” (See Deut 25:4; Luke 10:7.)
Pastoral & Theocentric Psychologists & Counselors do and should receive support from those to whom they minister and counsel. State law is in agreement with this statement and allows for the Minister of Counseling (Licensed Pastoral Counselor, or the Licensed Christian Counselor) to charge for their services.