Some Christians reject the use of psychology to address personal problems, as if that option somehow negates faith, Koch stated. Yet, for believers experiencing emotional turmoil, the counseling offered by committed Christian professionals can be as life-sustaining as insulin to a diabetic. The heart, the human psyche, is a complex thing. We are here to partner with students, to help them be whole and holy, and live life more fully. While many people assume that psychology and psychiatry are synonymous, historically psychiatry's roots are in medicine.
Psychiatrists are the care givers who use biological intervention.
Unlike psychiatrists, psychologists can't prescribe medication or administer shock treatments and are unable to admit a patient to a hospital. Just as social work, which grew out of the social welfare system, helps individuals function within the community, psychologists work to help people fit into the community by encouraging them to change things about themselves. Most of Bethel's counselors use a combination of counseling, testing, therapy, and education when working with students. While acknowledging that many resources on campus help students deal with the adjustments of college life, Koch says professional counseling services provide a vital service for students. Students are human.