Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What makes your counseling "Christian"?

Dr. Scott: I am an evangelical ("born-again") Christian called into the counseling profession in 1981 shortly after my conversion experience. The education, training, and experience that I have acquired since that turning point in my life are consecrated for God's use in His ministry of emotional and relational healing. As an ordinary man with human struggles, yet with an extraordinary God, I see myself as a "wounded healer" used as an instrument of the Holy Spirit to help bring about lasting resolution to emotional and relational conflicts in the people whom He sends to me.

Are you an ordained minister?

Dr. Scott: No, I am not.  However, I have been a passionate student of the Bible for over 25 years, interacting with God's Word almost daily since February 1, 1981. Since 1991, I have been leading adult and youth Bible studies at my church, and have preached on occasion at several churches.

What are your specific Christian beliefs?

Dr. Scott: I believe the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of Father-God.  Salvation is spiritual rebirth (being born again; see John 3) by the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ. The finished work of God’s only begotten Son Jesus on the cross, and His resurrection, provide the only ground for justification and salvation for all who believe. For more specific details on my beliefs, please see my Statement of Christian faith.

 I don't agree with all your Christian beliefs. If I come to see you, will you try to "convert" me?

Dr. Scott:  When people come to me for emotional healing, I hold no expectation that they be converted my beliefs, nor do I use my counseling office to preach to people or proselytize.  However, with their permission, I may ask people to think about and try to articulate their beliefs about God, and ask questions about their beliefs in the context their current problems. I may ask -- again with their permission -- to experiment with Christian approaches to problems, which may or may not result in their becoming Christians or changing their beliefs about God. 

How do you integrate your scientific training with your Christian faith? Don't you see inconsistencies between the two?

Dr. Scott: I see the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the scientific method as our instrument for investigating and understanding God's created order. In those areas where scripture and science may "appear" to be in conflict, I question the validity neither of scripture, nor of the scientific method, but rather our fallible human interpretation of scripture and scientific data.

What is the role of your psychology training in your practice?

Dr. Scott: Psychology is the body of knowledge we have from applying the scientific method in understanding ourselves. Although I do not agree with non-Christian psychologists on everything, I do pay close attention to the data they have collected and described, because they are usually very good investigators of human behavior. I strongly believe that psychology can be a very legitimate and useful science when properly understood and applied. However, psychology -- the human study of the human mind and heart -- is tricky business, because we cannot really understand ourselves without the light of Christ on our hearts and minds. Therefore, it is far more important to seek God, in the face of Jesus Christ, than to seek to understand ourselves. And then, when we find and experience God's presence though Christ, we understand ourselves and our fellow human beings much better. 

What should I expect in the first counseling session with you?

Dr. Scott:  In the first session, we establish well-defined goals and make a workable plan to identify and remove every obstacle to the achievement of those goals. This is a collaborative effort, in which we pool our combined resources together. For those who identify their Christian faith as a resource, and wish to use their problem as an opportunity for spiritual growth and breakthroughs, we include this as one of their goals and invite God into the healing process.

How effective is your counseling approach?

Dr. Scott: Many clients meet their counseling goals in about 6-12 weekly sessions. Others, such as those who have suffered severe abuse or neglect in their lives, or who are going through ongoing stress, or who have long-established problems in effectively relating and interacting with people, may require more sessions.  I am encouraged that many former clients have referred me to their friends, and, in aftercare surveys, have assigned me high ratings on "compassion", "trust", "making a lasting positive difference in my life." 

How do I know you won't get overwhelmed by my problems?

Dr. Scott:  I have about 20 years of professional Christian counseling experience to draw from, which enables me to minister to a variety of people in their suffering, offering support and direction.  Moreover, I have a solid support system that keeps me from getting overwhelmed by my caseload: God's grace and empowerment are daily resources in my own life, and my wife, family, friends, colleagues, and the fellowship I enjoy with other Christians are personal resources for me. I have a life outside of counseling that includes teaching and writing, and a music ministry at my church.  On a typical day, especially when my client load is heavy, I spend about an hour or two in personal reflection, journaling, meditation, and fellowship with God, seeking His wisdom and counsel for myself and my clients. If for any reason I would ever need assistance in helping you, there are professional colleagues with whom I can consult on your case.

How do I know that what I talk to you about will be kept confidential?

Dr. Scott:  As a licensed clinical counselor, I strictly observe the legal protections on your confidentiality. I will treat your confidentiality as sacred, and fully protect it, except when doing so would endanger your life or that of another person.  Note: It is important  for you to be aware that state law requires me to report evidence of child abuse to the Illinois Division of Children and Family Services.

Do you prescribe medication?

Dr. Scott: No. Only physicians and psychiatrists can evaluate the need for, and prescribe psychotropic medication. As a clinical counselor, I gladly leave that burden to them while I focus on the psychological and spiritual factors contributing to emotional distress in my clients. If you needed psychotropic medication, then I would refer you to your physician or a psychiatrist, especially if we see no remission in your depression or anxiety after about a few weeks of counseling.

What is your view on medication for psychological problems?

Under prolonged and severe stress, the brain can be depleted of important chemicals involved in neurological functioning. Therefore, I support the wise and careful use of certain psychotropic medications -- such as the antidepressants -- that can help restore balance in the neurochemistry. In my clients, psychotropic medications often serve a temporary purpose, until they are coping better with stress. Even when my clients get better and want to go off medication, I always recommend that they go back to the prescribing physician or psychiatrist and be re-evaluated. Then, under the doctor's supervision, you could request gradually reduced dosages of your medication.

I want to see you for marital counseling. How does that work?

Dr. Scott: Typically, I would meet with you and your spouse in the first 80-minute session, and, by the end of the session, I would suggest a treatment plan that would probably include meeting with each of you individually, in addition to couple sessions. In couple sessions, I carefully observe and respond to a couple's communication and problem-solving skills, how each person responds to the stress of marital conflict, and try to show a couple how each person's unique personality and spiritual giftedness might contribute to both the marital problems and solutions. In meeting with you or your spouse individually, we would explore the negative feelings and thoughts and behaviors that occur in the presence of your spouse. Marital conflict "triggers" feelings of worthlessness, alienation, rejection, powerless that only Jesus can change. Once those wounds are healed in you, the marriage greatly improves. When both partners experience healing, the marriage improves all the more.

What is your view on divorce?

Dr. Scott:  I firmly believe that the only biblical grounds for divorce is unrepentant adultery, that is, when the adulterous spouse shows no remorse for his or her sin and is not seeking reconciliation with God or the spouse. Unfortunately, in our day and age, people use divorce as a quick-fix for their own pain, a "way out" out of the emotional pain they experience by the presence of the hurtful spouse. Typically, the person seeking divorce these days is experiencing so much anger and pain that he or she cannot fully comprehend all the consequences of this drastic measure. I see myself as called into the ministry of saving marriages, not being part of the wrecking crew.  Marital vows are for a lifetime, and let's remember that they are made in the presence of God. As a Christian counselor, an important part of my mission is to help people keep their marital vows, and work through any obstacle to fulfilling them.  In cases of physical abuse, addiction (such as to drugs, alcohol, pornography, etc.), I counsel the offended spouse not to seek divorce, but rather, if necessary, a season of separation, until trust and safety is restored over time. Ideally, during a season of separation, both you and your spouse can devote significant time to individual counseling for personal healing, while meeting together periodically with a Christian professional marital counselor both you and your spouse can trust. In my counseling practice, I seek the mending of hearts first, and then, afterwards, the mending of marriages, in that order.  

But my marriage looks hopeless. Shouldn't I divorce?

Dr. Scott: Divorce is, of course, your legal option. However, even in the case of adultery, there is still hope for reconciliation in Christ, especially when the offending spouse is repentant. I firmly believe that there is hope for the resurrection of marriages that are, by any human measure, dead.  Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa gave an interesting response when asked, back in the 1980s, why he had hope for reconciliation between whites and blacks in his home country. He said this: "Jesus Christ rose from the dead. This means hope for South Africa!" Things were very bad for South Africa back then. But now South Africa is a place where institutionalized discrimination (apartheid) is a thing of the past, and where the fruit of forgiveness and reconciliation, through Christ, is flourishing, due to Christian leadership in that country. What was true for South Africa is also true for many marriages today, which are living testimonies of Jesus' power to bring about reconciliation when it looks absolutely impossible.

Do you counsel children and teens?

Dr. Scott: I am very interested in the faith development of children and teens and enjoy helping them work through emotional, relational, and spiritual conflicts.  I have over 20 years experience in helping adolescents identify, express and resolve inner conflict and, whenever possible, to rebuild any broken relationships with family members and God.  Children and adolescents often internalize family stress, which is why I believe it is important to invite both parents and other family members be a part of the healing process whenever possible.

My child does not want to come in to see you for a first visit. What do you suggest I do?

Dr. Scott: I have three suggestions:  1) First, require that your child or teen come in for a visit. Usually this is no problem when both parents firmly agree that "We want you to see Dr. Scott"; if they kick and drag their feet, that's OK, just let them express their resistance. They are probably just scared of a new experience. Also, let them know that you will stay in the office or just outside the office, if they prefer; 2) Ease your child's fears by giving him or her a choice in the matter: Tell your child that that he or she can "fire" Dr. Scott if he or she wants to, but that you want your child to meet with Dr. Scott at least once.  That makes your child feel some power and control in the matter, and allows him or her to take some ownership of the counseling experience. 3) Just leave the rest to me. I'll attempt to win over your son or daughter in the first session, so that he or she will want to come back.  If for any reason your child does not want to come back, I could provide a referral to another counselor.  

How do you respond to people with homosexual feelings? Are you homophobic?

Dr. Scott: I have counseled many people who experience homosexual feelings, and have never condemned them for their experience. So, if by "homophobic," you mean "fear of, or hatred for people with homosexual feelings," then I am most certainly not homophobic.  I leave the judging of homosexuality to God (Matthew 7:1-5) and compassionately minister to people with homosexual feelings as they are. But let me be clear: the Bible, which I believe is the inerrant Word of God, clearly views homosexuality as sin (see Romans 1:26-27) and describes unrepentant homosexuals as being among the unrighteous who will not inherit the kingdom of God (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). As a sin, I believe that homosexuality as a lifestyle, like alcoholism and drug addiction, presents a serious obstacle to experiencing and enjoying the fullness of God's presence.  Clinically, I take the currently unpopular and "politically incorrect" view that homosexual behavior is a bonding disorder related to unresolved developmental issues, as described in the writings of Leanne Payne, Elizabeth Moberly, and Joseph Nicolosi. In my practice, a number of people with "ego-dystonic" homosexuality -- which simply means unwanted homosexual feelings -- have become free of their unwanted feelings through my Christian counseling approach.

Is your question still not answered? If so, you may email me directly at scottlo@sbcglobal.net for any other questions regarding my services. For other questions, such as information on professional Christian counselors in your region, or for free advice on a specific problem, please contact FOCUS ON THE FAMILY. Their phone number is (800) A-FAMILY (232-6459)