Powlison earned his Ph.D. in history and science of medicine from the University of Pennsylvania and later received his Master of Divinity degree from Westminster Theological Seminary. A counselor and teacher, Powlison works at the Christian Counseling and Education Foundation and serves his students as an adjunct lecturer of practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. Desiring to help people, Powlison has taught in the United States and around the world. He also writes articles and books on counseling, a profession he has held for over thirty years.