A European Looks at Biblical Counseling in America

In this article, David Powlison conducts and interview with Ernst Gassmann. Gassman is a Swiss pastor who discusses how his interest in pastoral counseling arose, his efforts to bring counseling ministry into the local church and his observations about the Swiss and American scenes. Gassmann observes that, in counseling, “everything that happens in America is popularized and then brought to Switzerland.” He notes that the personal problems faced in Europe are the same and although Swiss are more reluctant than Americans to seek help, they are more organized and systematic intellectually. Gassmann concludes with observations about American and Swiss views on marriage and family as well as handling conflict with those you disagree with.