Christian counseling is the process in which a professional counselor uses the tools of the mental health profession, the truths of the Bible, and the wisdom of life experience to help those in need.

A professional counselor is one who has a graduate degree at the masters or doctoral level and is credentialed by the governing body upon completion of rigorous requirements and examinations. At North Coast Church, this includes psychologists (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), and licensed social workers (LCSW).

The tools of the mental health profession include a wide range of techniques and assessments such as individual psychotherapy, marital, family, and group therapy, psychological testing, etc.

The truths of the Bible include all of the teachings of Scripture, and especially those that bear on our relationship with God and with one another. The Bible offers profound truths regarding human nature, sin, redemption, and grace. The Christian counselor measures all other concepts or ideas by the truths of Scripture. Though guided by these teachings, we do not impose our views on our clients, but rather meet them where they are.

The wisdom of life experience is the learning that each counselor and client brings to the counseling situation to aid in the process of understanding or change.

Those in need are the clients who find their way to a counselor's office. They are adults, children, couples, and families. They may be self-referred, or may come at the suggestion of a pastor, physician, loved one, former client, teacher, or friend. The needs they bring may range from being helped through a career change, to recovering from profound abuse.