Abstract

This chapter draws on one Christian tertiary provider’s experience, over the past 20 years, preparing Christians for the field of professional counselling. The programme has a particular focus on working with families and several modalities are taught during the 3 years of the programme. The chapter will draw on a range of authors with different theological and faith perspectives to explore the difference between teaching Christian counselling and counselling informed and shaped by a Christian Worldview. It aims to show how this engagement has influenced the current approach. Educators are increasingly confident in articulating this approach both to students and in the professional counselling field. Drawing on the belief that ‘we counsel out of who we are’, the chapter will discuss how students are encouraged and supported to participate in personal transformation as it ‘seeks to prepare relational practitioners whose theory-informed work with individuals, whanau and groups is reflective, ethical, and responsive to cultural and other diversity, so as to participate in the holistic, transformative work of Jesus towards shalom’.