Christian Mental Health Counseling: Getting Support From Christian Counselors

For those who identify with a particular faith, having a mental health care provider who holds similar beliefs can be a helpful component of the therapeutic process. As one example, Christian therapists and counselors merge therapy and Christianity together to support their religious clients. Learn more about Christian mental health counseling and how you can find a faith-based provider to support your mental health needs.

What is Christian counseling?

Christian counseling is a therapy process that combines principles of Christianity with psychological and behavioral science. It can be beneficial for Christian individuals who have spiritual questions or want to live more closely in line with their faith-based values, since it incorporates religious beliefs and teachings into therapeutic sessions. Research suggests that holding religious or spiritual beliefs may provide mental health benefits, and therapeutic practices that incorporate an individual’s beliefs may expand these benefits. Some Christian beliefs and practices that may be incorporated into this type of therapy include Bible readings, meditation, or reflecting on scriptures. 

Christian counseling: Why having a provider who shares your faith can be helpful

A robust body of research suggests the importance of the client-therapist relationship. One in which the client can feel safe, supported, understood, and not judged can be critical for positive therapeutic outcomes. Having a provider who understands and shares your religious faith—and/or your cultural background and life experiences—can help create this atmosphere. For religious individuals, meeting with a faith-based counselor can feel like speaking to someone who “gets it” and who they can trust to guide them in ways that align with their faith.

Incorporating the Bible and the Christian faith into therapy sessions

The Bible is significant in the Christian faith because it’s believed to contain the revelations of God. Christian counselors and pastoral counselors (the latter usually being clergy members who may or may not have mental health training and licensure) may incorporate wisdom from the Bible into counseling sessions to help Christian clients with the challenges they’re facing. 

Biblical teachings in Christian mental health counseling

Christian counselors and therapists may use biblical teachings to impart wisdom and help people understand current life situations and challenges. For someone trying to foster open, honest communication in a relationship, for example, Christian therapists or counselors may refer to Ephisians 4:15, which says, “Speak the truth in love.”  

How Bible verses and the Christian faith can be combined with evidence-based practices

Christian therapy is still based on psychological evidence. To understand how a Christian counselor might combine Christian principles and research-based practices, let’s look at an example. Research suggests that mindfulness and mindfulness-based therapeutic methods may help address a variety of mental health symptoms and challenges, from mental illness like depression and anxiety to insomnia and pain. In combination with teaching the tenets of this approach to their client, a Christian counselor might also reference Bible verses like “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7) or “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

Evidence-based practices that specifically incorporate religion

Christian counselors may find their own ways of combining psychological practices with religious tenets, or they may turn to a particular method that integrates the two. Religious cognitive behavioral therapy (RCBT) is an example of a spiritually-oriented approach that can help religious clients challenge thoughts and feelings that negatively affect their growth and development. 

Religious cognitive behavioral therapy (RCBT) for mental health

Similar to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), RCBT is an approach to talk therapy that’s based on a significant body of research. It can be used as a means of spiritual growth and mental health care for people of various religions. Research suggests that RCBT can often be as effective as CBT for increasing optimism in people with major depressive disorder (MDD), as one example. Here are the basics of how RCBT works:

• Challenging negative interpretations: Certain negative thought patterns may sometimes be caused by religious misinterpretations. RCBT equips clients with the tools to reflect on and re-evaluate these thoughts and shift them in a healthier, more positive direction.
• Activating positive behaviors: Another key part of RCBT is encouraging and helping clients implement behaviors that foster well-being and spiritual growth. Examples of such behaviors may include prayer, meditation, church services, or social events in the faith community. Research suggests that prayer in particular may foster a sense of meaning, hope, and empathy for those who practice it.
• Promoting gratitude: Expressing gratitude for the good things in your life activates areas in the brain that are responsible for positive thoughts and emotions, and research suggests that a gratitude practice may improve life satisfaction as well as mental and even physical health.

How Christian counseling can support a client’s spiritual health

In general, all types of mental health counseling are meant to help clients address mental health or life challenges. In addition, faith-based counseling may also help individuals address any spiritual challenges.

An example of improving spiritual health in Christian counseling

In some cases, a person’s mental health challenges may relate to their faith, or vice versa. Christian mental health professionals may be uniquely equipped to approach such situations gently and constructively. 

For example, consider a client who believes that an illness they are experiencing is a form of punishment for their sins, which is creating negative feelings such as guilt or hopelessness. A Christian counselor could offer this individual a religious perspective on their concern, drawing from both CBT techniques and Biblical lessons to help them shift these negative thought patterns.

The role of Christian counselors

A licensed professional counselor is trained to guide and support individuals seeking therapy, whether it’s faith-based or not. They can help clients navigate mental health challenges like depression or anxiety, address life challenges like relationship conflict or grief, and enhance religious or spiritual growth. Typically, a national certified counselor who specializes in a Christian approach needs to complete a bachelor's degree, a masters degree, and have a strong understanding of the Christian faith. Some may also pursue specific Christian counseling certifications on top of their other education.

Ethical considerations for Christian counselors

Counselors of all types are expected to adhere to professional standards in order to provide helpful support to their clients. As well as being compassionate, knowledgeable, and qualified in their field, they’re generally also trained to follow ethical guidelines to make sure their clients are safe and comfortable and can get the most out of therapy. Some of these guiding principles for Christian and secular counselors alike include:

• Client autonomy: Christianity has a wide variety of denominations and traditions, so different people may have different religious beliefs and interpretations. Christian counselors generally aim to honor a client’s unique beliefs in the counseling process and empower them to make their own decisions.
• Professional boundaries: Having professional boundaries helps ensure client safety and allows counselors to maintain an objective point of view.
• Cultural sensitivity: Each individual is unique and has their own beliefs, cultural background, and past experiences. It can be important for counselors to acknowledge, recognize, and honor these differences.

Online Christian mental health counseling

More and more individuals are seeking therapy today, from both religious and non-religious backgrounds. Christians who are seeking faith-based therapy may not always have options for qualified providers in their area, and some individuals may also face obstacles to commuting to and from in-person therapy appointments each week. In such cases, online therapy can be a more convenient alternative for receiving care.

With a platform like BetterHelp, you can fill out a brief questionnaire and get matched with a licensed provider accordingly. If you want to meet with a Christian counselor, you can specify this in the questionnaire. You can then meet with the provider you get matched with virtually, from anywhere you have an internet connection, via phone, video call, or in-app messaging. These format options can help make individuals feel more comfortable and allows each person to choose the method that’s right for them. Also note that you can switch providers at any time for no additional cost until you find the right fit.

What the research says about online Christian counseling

A growing body of research suggests that online therapy can often be as effective as in-person care. For example, one study suggests that internet-based CBT may improve quality of life for individuals with major depressive disorder. While the research on online Christian counseling in particular is limited, the potential efficacy of online CBT suggests that online RCBT may be effective in many cases as well.