Am I mad to consider this? - Christian Counselling

[pinkdolly]

Hi all,

For some time now I feel that God has been leading me to train to become a Counsellor(sp). I really have a heart to nurture people and help them.

But...

I have 3 children their ages are nearly 5, nearly 4 and 10 months. The 10 month old is rather clingy. Definately a mummy's girl.

I currently have other committments. Running the Creche every other sunday. Running toddler group on a wednesday morning, volunteering in the christian cafe one afternoon a week.

To add to this I am also home schooling my girls so they dont go to school or preschool.

As a SAHM, sometimes I feel that things get on top of me. Mainly when the girls are very whingy, moany etc. I can feel a bit down myself, a bit undervalued.

I really want to do this. Am I mad in thinking this is acheivable right now. Should I be more patient and wait until the children are older? Or will helping other people in turn help me to feel more valued myself?

So many questions. What are your opinions.

Thanx

Pink xx

I'm a Christian and would normally say you should listen to what you think God is guiding you to do.

But I'm also a Mum, and sometimes (although a lot of Christians will tell you that you shouldn't) I have to put my children first. And God's never seemed to have a problem with that, His patience in waiting for me is endless!

If you have a calling to help people, it will still be there when your children are a little older - and at 10 months I think she needs you more than other people do.

You are already helping people in so many other ways that you should already feel valued without having to push yourself into this too fast.

I'm sure you've prayed and asked God to guide you - but I do know that even if it's what He wants for you, God will wait for you if the time isn't right now.

Have you looked into it at all? I'd find out as much as you can. The months go by pretty quickly. If you've got the drive to do something then there's no reason you can't start now. Find out more.

Raspberry- Thank you for replying so quickly. Your're right I have prayed about this. And God's answer in the past has been to be patient and wait. And then every now and then the urge to do something grows really strong. As of now.

One of my own issues is that of not having enough patience. I know the advice that I would give people in this situation is that as much as you want to do something it has to be on God's timing or it wont work.

Obviously, I know that I need to be 100% focused to get and to give the very best out of this course.

I just wander why God make's the urge so strong inside my if it's not the right time?

I think that it depends on how much counselling you eventually think that you will do, and of what type. If you are home-schooling then I would also think about when and where you would do it.

There are a number of routes into counselling which are all worth exploring. In your list of current ministries you don't mention any pastoral role (homegroup leader or something on that line), which I woud have probably expected to see - but of course you may have been involved in such pre-kids.

If you do train as a counsellor you will of course need to be in counsellign yourself, so I suspect any issues you have in terms of significance of value will be addressed along the way.

Sorry morning paper x-posted.

I have looked into a little. I know there will be a Phillipi (sp) counselling training course starting in my area in the autumn.

I also have a book here Discipleship Counseling by Dr Neil T. Anderson. Which I am about to start reading. And a Freedom in Christ book by the same man.

The trouble is, There are quite a few courses to choose from. I need to make sure I choose the right one.

Which course are you thinking of doing?

Ladymuck- Myself and my husband do run a house group here on mondays.

Regarding the Pastoral team. This is also something that I have been praying about. And intend to speak to those involved with it. However, I thought it might help me if I enrolled on a counseling course first.

In our church, there are already a few counsellors. And severol people on the pastoral team. But the youngest of these people is at least 55.

I am 26 and feel that that there is a gap needed to help not only those my age but teenagers aswell.

My husband is the Youth Deacon in the church, he also runs the youth group. He too feels it would benefit the younger members of the church to have someone younger to talk to.

And in terms of frequency and locations for counselling?

I have to say that ime homegroup roles and counsellimg often go hand in hand as people work through their issues. Or do you always end up referring people to the counselling team?

In terms of which course to pick I think that it depends on whether you want to be part of a church counselling team or whether you want to set up independently (and charge for work).

no i dont want to charge for work. But I havent really thought about locations yet, although I would like to be affilated with the church.

I suppose i'd really like to work where the individual felt most comfortable. At my house over a cup of tea. Or at theirs. In the church house they have a comfy lounge, that could work.

Regarding frequency, I suppose as and when needed. Obviously these things all need to be looked at in further depth.

In which case I think that the first thing you need to do is talk to whoever heads up the counselling team at your church and get their insight and advice. Most courses will ensure that you have the church's support in going onto the course in the first place, and I would hope that your church does in fact have fairly clear policies in terms of counselling etc.

thanx ladymuck - I will have a chat with one of the elders on the counselling team and go from there i think.

thanx for all you advice

pink xx