We may receive commission if you decide to use counseling services through BetterHelp or other resources on our website.

I. Understand Christian Therapy

Christian therapists address many of the same mental health concerns as therapists who don’t incorporate a particular faith into their practices. You may work with a Christian therapist if you have a psychological disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Some Christian counselors work with couples, addressing issues such as marital infidelity and poor communication.

Talking to a Christian therapist makes it easier to handle stressful circumstances in your life. Your therapist can help you improve your communication skills, set boundaries, and avoid repeating harmful behaviors. A Christian counselor near you can help you find healthy ways to relieve stress at work and school.

What you should know about Christian therapy:

  • What’s it like to get Christian therapy?
  • What does Christian therapy help with?
  • How to find a Christian therapist
  • How can you prepare for Christian therapy?
  • What are Christian therapy treatments?

II. What's it like to get Christian therapy?

People typically seek therapy when they need help resolving relationship problems or managing their mental health, and they would like to incorporate their Christian faith into therapy. A Christian counselor near you is qualified to address a variety of issues, including feelings of loneliness and isolation, a tendency to be pessimistic rather than positive, high levels of self-doubt, and difficulty communicating with loved ones. Some Christian therapists offer marriage counseling or therapy to help couples cope with parenting challenges or the loss of a child.

Biblical counseling is different from other types of treatment because it’s based in a Biblical perspective. If you decide to work with a Christian therapist, you can expect a faith-based approach to resolving problems and learning how to communicate effectively. In addition to helping you address personal problems, a Christian therapist should aim to help you have a better relationship with Christ. As you heal from your personal hurts, you’ll be reminded of God’s love and grace, making your faith even stronger. A person who is very strongly aligned in their faith may seek therapy with a Christian counselor because it can enhance their therapy process.

You’ll know it’s time to see a Christian therapist near you when a relationship issue or behavioral disorder starts to interfere with your life. You may spend a lot of time thinking about this issue or be too embarrassed to discuss the matter with a loved one. High levels of anxiety, apathy toward everyday activities, and a lack of desire to participate in social activities are signs that it’s time to see a therapist.

It’s a good idea to see a Christian therapist instead of trying to cope on your own because mental health professionals can give you unbiased advice relevant to your unique circumstances. While you wait to see a therapist or in between sessions, you can try meditation, exercise, and other stress-relief methods. Your primary care physician may prescribe medications to reduce anxiety or manage the symptoms of depression.

III. How to find a Christian therapist

Choosing the right therapist is critical when trying to reduce stress. A good fit helps you feel comfortable opening up to the therapist about your personal history, family background, and other sensitive issues.

Working with a Christian therapist is ideal if you follow the principles of Christianity and want to incorporate them into every aspect of your life. You may feel more comfortable talking to someone who understands your faith and respects your decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior.

A Christian therapist may help you strengthen your faith and learn how to resolve problems in a Christ-centered way.

The best way to start your search for a Christian therapist is to look for a directory online.  You can find a Christian counselor near you who can provide biblical, faithful counseling to help you find both mental and spiritual wholeness.  Many providers even offer video counseling services, making them even more accessible and convenient.  It’s also not unusual for a large church to employ licensed Christian counselors as permanent staff.

Licensing and certifications should be a high priority when you’re looking for a Christian counselor. Each state has its own requirements for professional mental health licensing, which means a licensed counselor may be referred to as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), or some other title. If you want a certified counselor with a guaranteed counseling educational foundation, look for someone who has the National Certified Counselor (NCC) designation, which is issued by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Cost is another consideration when searching for a Christian therapist near you. Some therapists accept insurance, so check with your insurance provider to determine if therapy is covered and find out how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket for each session. If you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover therapy services, look for a therapist who offers a self-pay discount.

IV. What does Christian therapy help with?

People work with Christian therapists for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common issues addressed by this type of therapy:

  • Difficulty managing stress: An inability to manage stress in a healthy way, resulting in intrusive thoughts, anxiety, or other symptoms.
  • Relationship problems: Difficulty maintaining positive relationships, including romantic relationships and relationships with family members and friends.
  • Grief: Management of grief due to the loss of a loved one, such as a child or a parent.
  • Social anxiety: Significant anxiety when preparing for or engaging in social situations, including public speaking, attending class, dating, meeting people, or talking on the telephone.
  • Loneliness and isolation: Difficulty connecting with others or feeling like no one understands your circumstances.
  • Behavioral health issues: Symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety disorder, and other disorders.
  • Parenting difficulties: Difficulty setting reasonable expectations for children, inability to set healthy parent-child boundaries, and disagreements with a co parent about what’s best for a child.

V. How can you prepare for Christian therapy?

Before you visit a Christian therapist for the first time, it’s helpful to write down some details about the issue you’re experiencing. Note how long it’s been going on, what you’ve tried to resolve the issue, and how it’s been affecting your daily routine. If certain situations make your symptoms worse, write them down. For example, your anxiety may worsen when you’re in a large group of people.

VI. What are Christian therapy treatments?

Christian therapy integrates psychology with biblical principles. These are some of the most common approaches used by Christian therapists.

Treatment Description
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) Some Christian therapists offer a spiritually modified form CBT, combining a proven form of therapy with the principles of Christianity. According to the principles of CBT, psychological problems are the result of faulty thinking or unhelpful behavior. This type of counseling aims to help people recognize faulty thinking, develop their self-confidence, and learn to improve their coping skills. If you participate in CBT, you’ll have opportunities to change your behavior.
Talk therapy Talk therapy, known as psychotherapy, requires patients and therapists to work together to address depression, anxiety, grief, and other concerns. A talk therapy session usually lasts for 30 to 50 minutes, giving the patient and therapist time to explore a single issue in depth or touch on several issues at a time. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may attend just a few counseling sessions or work with the same therapist for several years. Many counselors even offer online video chat sessions.
Nouthetic counseling Nouthetic counseling is based on the biblical principle that Christians should instruct or correct each other. Therapists who use this method counsel their patients directly from Scripture, rather than relying on principles outlined in secular books and research journals. The aim of nouthetic counseling is to help patients honor God so that they can resolve the problems in their lives and continue to have a positive relationship with Christ.

VII. What else can help?

In addition to seeing a Christian therapist, you can use a wide range of techniques to address stress, anxiety, and other concerns. Meditation, massage, exercise, and deep breathing can all help you relieve stress at home without the aid of medications. If your symptoms aren’t controlled by home remedies, you may need a doctor to prescribe an antidepressant or antianxiety medication. Talking with a friend or family member may help you resolve certain relationship problems, improving the quality of your life while you wait for your first Christian counseling session.

author-img
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

author-img
LCSW

Bridget Russell is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California with specialized training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and managing chronic health conditions. She is a senior manager of oncology patient access at Amgen in Los Angeles. Russell received her bachelor’s degree in exercise science from California State University Northridge in 2011 and her master’s degree in mental health and medical social work from University of Washington in 2015. She’s been a social worker since 2015.

After her master’s program, Russell worked as an inpatient and outpatient medical social worker at a Level 1 Trauma hospital helping patients and families navigate health and mental health challenges. She provided psychosocial support and also enabled patients with therapeutic techniques and strategies to address medical and emotional trauma as well as grief and loss.

Russell works in the patient engagement space, creating patient support programs to help people access necessary support during their oncology journey. She also works in private practice as a telehealth therapist, specializing in helping adults navigate job and relationship stress, new life transitions, and managing ongoing anxiety and depression. Her mission is to empower her clients to live productive and healthy lives while growing into the best versions of themselves based on their values, goals, and aspirations.

VIII. Sources

To learn more about Christian therapy, visit our sources.