What is Christian Counseling and Why is it Important?
Takeaway: As a person of faith, you might be interested in mental health care that incorporates your religious beliefs. But what is Christian therapy? And what makes it different from other forms of therapy? In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about Christian counseling: the definition, who can provide, what to expect, and why you should consider it.
What is Christian therapy?
Maybe you're new to therapy altogether, or maybe you're looking to bring your faith into your mental health care for the first time. No matter your situation, it can feel daunting to start working with a Christian counselor without fully understanding what you're signing up for.
Understanding the principles of Christian counseling (along with what it isn't) can help you make a more informed decision about whether or not it's the right fit for you. If you do decide to move forward, it can also help you feel more prepared to start the process.
Let's explore everything you need to know about working with a Christian therapist.
Christian counseling definition
"Christian counseling" is an umbrella term that is used to describe therapy or counseling services that incorporate a person's Christian faith. It may use faith-based principles as the entire foundation of the service, or it may be just one component of the counselor's approach.
While the term is often used interchangeably with biblical or pastoral counseling, it's important to recognize that there are multiple types of Christian counseling that are each provided by different kinds of professionals. We'll dive into the various types below.
Types of Christian therapy
There are multiple types of Christian counselors. Keep in mind that these are broad subcategories and that each Christian counselor may take their own unique approach. It's best to reach out to each individual provider to get a sense of how they can help you.
Christian psychotherapy
Some Christian counselors are mental health professionals who incorporate Christian psychology into their work with clients. They are trained therapists (or clinical social workers, or even Christian psychologists) who have earned a graduate-level education and conducted thousands of hours of supervised mental health practice.
This form of Christian counseling focuses on incorporating a person's spiritual beliefs into mental health care alongside modern psychology to help people find meaning in their lives, as well as relief from mental illness. Since I'm a Christian therapist myself, this is the form of counseling that we'll be primarily focusing on throughout this blog post.
Biblical counseling
The biblical counseling movement focuses on helping people find spiritual healing through the scripture. The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) offers training programs to help people minister biblical principles to their peers. These individuals are fellow members of your faith community who have felt called to support people in applying spiritual principles to their lives.
Pastoral counseling
Pastoral counseling is provided by a spiritual leader who has significant training and experience in theology, ministry, etc. These religious leaders have also earned a postgraduate degree in pastoral counseling from an accredited program and are credentialed through religious communities.
Pastoral counseling uses primarily religious and spiritual interventions, alongside psychological principles, to help people make meaning of their experiences and find a path forward. A pastoral counselor may also be a licensed therapist.
Why is Christian counseling important?
Now that we've established what exactly Christian counseling is and how it differs from biblical or pastoral counseling, let's discuss why it's important. While it's ultimately your choice whether to pursue therapy or incorporate your spiritual beliefs into your experience, it can have many benefits. Here are just a few ways that Christian counseling can help.
It emphasizes a holistic approach.
Effective mental health care should be about treating more than just symptoms alone. For deep healing, it's essential to take every part of you into consideration. Christian counselors will help you explore your faith alongside your relationships, emotions, mental health, and physical well-being. By taking this holistic approach, you'll be able to discover how all the parts of your life are interconnected. This can uncover new opportunities for healing.
It prioritizes your values.
If your spiritual or religious beliefs are important to you, it makes sense to incorporate them into your work in therapy. The entire therapy experience should be tailored to your unique needs, goals, and values—including religion. Your spiritual beliefs aren't something you should have to ignore or hide when you pursue professional counseling.
It can help you improve your relationship with God.
Despite what some people may think, therapy isn't only for treating mental illness. The goal of Christian counseling can be different for everyone. For some, it might be managing anxiety by using both psychological principles as well as your faith in God. For others, it might be about navigating interpersonal challenges by learning healthy communication skills and drawing on the concept of forgiveness. You can strengthen your faith by integrating religion into your counseling sessions in these ways.
It can help you make meaning of your experiences.
Religion is a lens that helps us understand the world. Regardless of your specific religious affiliation or spiritual journey, your beliefs can help you make meaning of your relationships, personal experiences, and purpose. Plus, your Christian counselor can help you deepen your reflection and provide alternative perspectives.
It can help you get a better experience from therapy.
While both therapy and spirituality can be deeply personal, research shows that many people have positive experiences when integrating their religious beliefs into their mental health care. Remember, this can be done in any way that feels good to you. A professional counselor will follow your lead with the extent to which you want to discuss spirituality or religion.
Addressing common misconceptions about Christian counseling
There are many common misconceptions about what Christian counseling is and isn't. Here, I clear the air on what working with a Christian counselor is really like. Hopefully, this will help you get a better understanding of whether or not it's right for you.
Myth: You need to be Christian.
While Christian counseling may be specifically geared toward people who identify as Christian, there are no prerequisites for working with a spiritual therapist. People of any religious or spiritual background are welcome to incorporate their beliefs or relationship with their higher power into their mental health care.
Myth: You can only talk about your religion.
You can talk about your religion as much or as little as you want to. The extent to which you incorporate religious beliefs into therapy can also change over the course of your treatment. Your therapist will honor your boundaries and preferences for therapy. You can talk about whatever you want in therapy!
Myth: It ignores psychological principles.
Christian counseling is as much about God's grace as it is about treating mental health conditions using evidence-based practices. The beauty of working with a Christian counselor is that you can blend both parts of yourself: the religious or spiritual part and the part that wants clinically-proven methods for healing. God cares about your mental health and offers therapy as a tool to get the support you need.
Myth: Christian counselors will try to convert their clients.
Again, your Christian counselor will follow your lead. If you want to primarily talk about your relationship with God, that's great! If you'd prefer to minimally integrate your spiritual beliefs, that's also fine. Christian counselors will respect your boundaries regarding your faith and should under no circumstances try to sway you one way or the other.
Is working with a Christian counselor right for me?
Seeking any kind of mental health care is a personal decision, and only you can decide what the right path is. At the same time, Christian counseling can be a highly effective way to blend mental and spiritual wellness.
As a Christian therapist in Austin, TX, I've seen firsthand how powerful it can be to combine the power of the Holy Spirit with professional psychology or mental health services. Your faith is a part of you, and it shouldn't be ignored when addressing your emotions, struggles, or mental health issues.
I also recognize that it can feel intimidating to reach out for help in this way. As Christians, we're often taught that God is the one who meets all of our needs. This might dissuade some people from getting support. However, I see therapy as a gift from God that helps us connect to Him in a unique way. It's a tool he's given us to help us be the best people we can be and deepen our spiritual health.
If you're still unsure whether Christian counseling is a good fit, I encourage you to reach out. I offer free consultations so you can get a better sense of whether I'm the right therapist for you. I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you in your spiritual healing.
