What is the Difference Between Biblical Counseling and Regular Therapy?

BCA Director, Joe Leavell talks through the ministry of the Spirit in transforming hearts in contrast to a therapeutic model that regulates behavior. (Transcript Below)

One of the questions we often get here at BCA is, what the difference would be if someone came to see us and our counseling approach, vs. say, a regular therapist, or a secular psychologist.

I think the best way to articulate that would be the ministry of the Holy Spirit, or the fruit of the Spirit. Or, the fruit of walking with God.

Psychology is a system that has to work for everyone, whether or not your a Christian. Because secular psychology cannot account for the ministry of the Holy Spirit, it necessarily offers functional substitutes for biblical virtues. These substitutes may appear similar outwardly and may provide limited help through common grace, but they differ in source, aim, and depth. Psychology seeks to manage the person; whereas a Gospel centered persective seeks to transform the heart. From that transformed heart, the person changes.

Again, seen from the fruit of the Spirit. By design, the fruit of walking with the Spirit is not so much a skill to be learned or a behavior to be added to. It is a person who is living in fellowship with God’s Spirit. That is reflected in the way their behavior, thoughts, and emotions are changed, as it flows from walking with God.

Consider self-control. In Biblical counseling, self-control is the fruit of submission to God. I know He is God. I am not, and I am going to bring myself under His domain. He loves me and His grace is for me. The more I walk with Him, I am no longer sovereign of my life. God is. I want my heart and desire to be changed and shaped as a person who walks in His grace.

In psychology, the parallel concept is self-regulation. In a regulated self, actions focus on managing the heart’s impulses and redirecting behavior and managing my emotions. Both approaches may offer behavioral change , one flows from relationship with God for His glory and my good. The other relies on human effort aimed at maximizing my own self.

The same pattern flows all throughout the fruit of the Spirit.
Love is reduced to attachment or prosocial behavior rather than sacrificial agape love grounded in God’s love for us.
Joy becomes happiness or positive affect instead of gladness that is rooted in salvation and the fellowship of walking with Christ.
Peace is reframed as stress reduction rather than reconciliation with God that produces inner rest.
Patience becomes distress tolerance.
Kindness becomes interpersonal effectiveness and relational skill.
Goodness becomes values alignment.
Faithfulness becomes commitment to goals.
Gentleness becomes emotional restraint.

Biblical counseling would affirm the goodness of mitigating the damage of an undisciplined life. Common grace allows these observations to be helpful in restraining the effects of the Fall on people. But Scripture aims deeper and more transformational than mere symptom relief or functional improvement. We want those things. We want relief, but it’s not about just regulating your old self. We crucify ourself and surrender ourselves to the Spirit’s work of being raised new in Christ.

True and lasting change, then, does not come from better techniques, but from a better Savior. Where the Spirit is at work, fruit grows. Where He is not invited, we may still see impressive imitations and helpful systems, but they will always be wax fruit that is an imitation of who God’s fruit truly is. It’s shaped by human effort rather than by the joy of abiding in Christ.

At Biblical Counseling of Arizona, we want better for you than just behavior modification. We want to see your heart and life transformed by the grace and power of Christ. We hope you reach out to us and we hope you get the help you need!

Thanks!

You aren’t meant to walk alone. If you would like to pursue counseling through BCA or have additional questions, please reach out today! You can register here or contact us at info@biblicalcounselingaz.org.

Biblical Counseling of Arizona is a 501 C3 non-profit counseling center that relies on the generosity of donors to provide affordable care for those in financial need. If you are interested in asking specific questions about our counseling or are interested in financially partnering with BCA, please reach out to us at (480) 406-1791, write us at info@biblicalcounselingaz.org, or click here to donate.