Christian Counseling Resources

Christian counseling is a form of mental health care that applies the principles of Christianity to the therapeutic process. Through faith-based counseling, participants can address a wide range of challenges related to their mental health, relationships, career, and other facets of life while using the Christian faith as a guide. 

When conducting Christian counseling, biblical counselors can illustrate their points and reinforce important concepts by using certain resources. Below, we’re providing an overview of Christian counseling and discussing different types of faith-based therapeutic tools.

What is Christian counseling?

Counseling that aligns with one’s beliefs and values can help a participant foster both mental and spiritual wellness. Christian counseling is a form of therapy centered around the word of God according to the Christian tradition. It encourages participants to apply the principles of their faith during their mental health journey. 

Christian counseling can be administered in various formats, including individual therapy, couples counseling, and family therapy. There are also numerous modalities that may be utilized during faith-based counseling, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or trauma-informed therapy. According to the APA, incorporating theology and spirituality into counseling can lead to beneficial psychotherapeutic outcomes for individuals who identify as spiritual or religious. 

Types of Christian counseling: individual therapy, marriage counseling, etc.

The principles of Christianity can be applied to varied psychotherapeutic modalities and in various settings. A faith-based therapist may provide counsel to an individual, a married couple, or a family. 

Individual therapy

People seeking guidance for personal concerns can participate in one-on-one biblical counseling with a professional. This form of therapy can help clients apply the principles of Christianity as they address mental health conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety), navigate life challenges (e.g., career difficulty, relationship concerns), or seek personal growth. 

Various techniques may be utilized in individual Christian counseling. For example, a counselor treating an individual with depression may employ techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside Christian teachings. With CBT, the client can learn how negative thoughts about their self-worth may be underlying feelings of sadness and hopelessness. To help them reframe this thought pattern, the counselor may remind them that, according to the Bible, people are created in the image of God, which endows them with inherent value.  

Marriage counseling

Applying the tenets of Christianity to a relationship can help Christian partners better understand each other and resolve conflicts. Christian marriage counseling is a cross between traditional relationship therapy and faith-based counseling. While maintaining a connection to Christian values, faith-based relationship counselors use therapeutic techniques that help participants identify potential sources of conflict, improve communication, develop a spiritual bond, and foster intimacy. 

For example, a Christian marriage counselor may help spouses learn to forgive each other after disputes. They may do this by focusing on effective communication but also by discussing the teachings of Jesus, who states in the Bible that forgiveness is key to love and compassion. 

Family therapy

For many Christians, the family unit is the foundation upon which they build their lives and grow as individuals. Christian family counseling can help participants improve family functioning, provide each other with support, and connect with one another spiritually. This form of therapy may involve observations of family dynamics, discussions about tension between family members, and exercises that facilitate enhanced communication. 

A Christian counselor may use teachings from the Bible—e.g., the commandment “Honor thy father and thy mother”—to help a family foster respect and compassion. Or, the counselor might help them provide support to a family member living with a mental health condition.  

Forgiveness, God’s grace, and other Christian principles used by biblical counselors

Christianity is a religion centered on the belief in an all-loving, compassionate, and powerful creator. Christians follow the teachings of God through the Bible and typically attempt to connect with him through prayer and worship. The Christian faith is associated with several core principles that help guide followers as they practice. These include a belief in the Holy Trinity, faith in the glory of God, a love for one’s neighbors, and several other precepts. 

An understanding of these tenets can help counseling participants apply Christian values and beliefs to mental health and life challenges. The following are examples of some ways in which Christian principles might be incorporated into the therapeutic process. 

Connection between spiritual and mental wellness

Faith-based counseling can help participants grow through a focus on their connection to a higher power. In the case of Christian counseling, participants may work on fostering spiritual wellness through their relationship with God. There is evidence that spirituality can lead to positive mental health outcomes as well as improved physical well-being. 

Belief in God’s grace

The idea that one is forgiven by God despite past transgressions is another core principle of Christianity—one that can provide hope, comfort, and a sense of well-being to Christians. Through scripture and the doctrines of the church, participants can learn about God’s grace, which is the concept that God forgives followers who repent and seek his forgiveness earnestly. This concept may help people alleviate distress, forgive themselves for past mistakes, and move forward in life. 

Additionally, this focus on God’s kindness can help individuals learn the importance of forgiveness in their own lives. The ability to also give others grace when they have done wrong may help a person foster healthy relationships and avoid harboring resentment or anger.   

Commitment to love and compassion

A central teaching of Jesus Christ is the importance of seeking to serve others and treating them with kindness. This can involve caring for and loving not only the people in your family and community but individuals around the world who may need help. 

Christian counseling resources

The following are some of the resources you may utilize if you’re engaged in faith-based counseling, either as a counselor or a participant. 

Courses 

Educational resources can help aspiring or current biblical counselors develop the tools to provide helpful guidance and care. There are courses that are geared toward helping aspiring counselors become certified to provide care. There are also continuing education courses that can help professionals develop new skills and stay up to date on best practices. 

Books

Therapists, researchers, and other mental health professionals have written extensively on the Christian counseling process. Books on faith-based counseling can explain the theory behind biblical counseling, the modalities that can be incorporated into care, and the mechanisms by which Christian counseling can benefit participants. The following are some of the most widely cited books on Christian counseling:

• Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark R. McMinn, PhD
• Effective Biblical Counseling by Larry Crabb
• When Faith Meets Therapy, by Anthony Evans and Stacy Kaiser MA, LMFT
• The Christian Counselor’s Manual by Jay E. Adams
• A Biblical Counseling Process by Lauren Whitman
• The Biblical Counseling Movement by David Powlison

You can also find books on specific topics within the subject of Christian counseling. For example, you can look for titles that cover biblical counseling for certain marginalized communities in particular or Biblical counseling for families specifically.  

Worksheets

Counselors often employ worksheets to help participants apply the concepts they’ve learned during sessions. Worksheets may be geared toward recording thought patterns, learning new methods of communicating, or utilizing coping skills. 

Other biblical counseling resources

Faith-based counseling resources can come in a range of formats. In addition to the above-mentioned tools, you may also find videos, podcasts, journal articles, hotlines, and many other types. 

Finding biblical counseling resources

If you’re interested in utilizing the above-mentioned types of resources, there are several options you can pursue. The following are a few ideas for seeking Christian counseling resources.  

Christian counseling sessions

If you’re participating in Christian counseling, your therapist can help you utilize various resources. They may ask you to complete worksheets, read articles, or watch informational videos. They might also encourage you to look for resources on your own that you believe will benefit you. 

Professional organizations for biblical counselors

The American Association of Christian Counselors is one helpful source for a variety of information on biblical counseling. On the AACC site, you can find certification programs and other educational resources as well as continuing education courses. You can also browse the organization’s blog, which offers faith-based articles on various topics. 

Churches

Because many churches provide counseling services, they can be a helpful place to start when seeking therapeutic resources. If you’re a member of such a church, consider reaching out to their counseling department or Family Life Pastor to ask about available literature, articles, or other resources. You can also find helpful resources online through some church websites. 

Working with a Christian counselor online

If you’d like to pursue biblical counseling through a convenient and flexible online platform, you might consider online therapy. Many Christian counselors now offer their services virtually. 

How a mental health professional can provide Christian counseling resources

When you get started with an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you’ll fill out a brief questionnaire about your needs and preferences so you can be matched with a licensed therapist accordingly. At this stage, you can specify if you’re interested in meeting with a counselor who has a Christian background or uses Christian principles in their work. 

Once matched with a provider, you can participate in sessions remotely through video call, voice call, or in-app messaging. Additionally, your therapist can connect you with useful resources, such as articles or worksheets, that can reinforce Christian counseling concepts and help you grow during the therapeutic process. 

The effectiveness of online therapy for mental health challenges

Studies suggest that faith-based psychotherapy can lead to reductions in symptoms of mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety in many cases. There is also a growing body of evidence pointing to the convenience and effectiveness of online therapy platforms in delivering psychotherapeutic treatment. For example, in one broad-based review of studies on the efficacy of online therapy, researchers suggest that it can be an “effective means of treating various mental health illnesses and improving patient care while being cost-effective.”