For many people, faith is central to how they understand hard times, relationships, and hope. So when it’s time to talk to someone, it makes sense to want a therapist who understands and respects that part of your life.
A Christian therapist is generally a licensed mental health professional who shares the Christian faith, integrates Christian beliefs into therapy when the client requests it, or both. Other licensed therapists may also provide faith-sensitive care without sharing a client’s religious beliefs. Some people want prayer or scripture in sessions, while others simply want a therapist who won’t dismiss their faith.
We put this guide together to help you figure out what you’re looking for, how to check that a therapist is qualified, and which questions can help you find a good fit.
What Is a Christian Therapist?
There isn’t one official definition. In practice, the term usually describes a licensed therapist who either shares the Christian faith, offers faith-integrated therapy, or both.
Christian therapists use the same evidence-based approaches as other licensed therapists, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. The difference is how open they are to including your beliefs. When a client wants faith included in therapy, a therapist may incorporate scripture, prayer, or themes such as forgiveness and gratitude. These approaches should reflect the client’s beliefs, preferences, and treatment goals, rather than the therapist’s personal religious views.
Understanding the different kinds of faith-related help can make the search clearer, so let’s look at those next.
What’s the Difference Between Christian Counseling and Therapy?
Several kinds of support use similar names, and the differences matter for training and for insurance.
- Licensed Christian therapists. Psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists who integrate faith. They hold state licenses and may accept insurance.
- Pastoral counselors and biblical counselors. People who offer counseling within a church or ministry setting. Their training varies widely, and many are not licensed mental health professionals.
- Pastors and faith leaders. A trusted source of spiritual guidance and support. Many work alongside licensed therapists when someone needs mental health care.
Each can play a meaningful role. If you’re dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, or another mental health concern, a licensed professional has the clinical training to help. Each type of licensed professional also brings different training and strengths to that work.
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Does Faith-Integrated Therapy Work?
Research on religiously adapted therapy is encouraging. Christian-adapted cognitive therapy for depression has been identified as an efficacious treatment in reviews of clinical trials. Faith-integrated approaches also tend to help with spiritual well-being, which matters to many clients.
As with any therapy, the relationship is a big part of the picture. The bond between you and your therapist is one of the strongest predictors of whether therapy helps. A therapist who respects your faith can make it easier to open up, and that openness supports the work you do together.
It also helps to know that shared faith isn’t a requirement for good care. Many secular therapists are skilled at working respectfully with religious clients, and some Christians prefer that approach.
How Do You Find a Christian Therapist?
Start by deciding what role you want faith to play in your sessions. Some people want prayer and scripture woven in, while others want a therapist who shares their values but keeps sessions focused on skills and support. Knowing your preference helps you ask better questions.
Ask Your Church or Faith Community
Pastors and church staff often know licensed therapists in the area. A referral from someone you trust can make the first call feel less intimidating.
Check Your Insurance
If you have insurance, your plan’s directory is a good place to start. Marketplace plans must cover psychotherapy and counseling from licensed providers, so a licensed Christian therapist in your network may cost less than one out-of-network.
Consider Online Sessions
If there are few faith-integrated therapists near you, online therapy can widen your options. If you’re considering online therapy, make sure the therapist is licensed or otherwise authorized to provide services in the state where you’ll be physically located during your sessions.
Ask the Right Questions
A short consultation call can tell you a lot. Preparing a few questions ahead of time helps you learn about a therapist’s training, approach, and fees.
- Are you licensed in my state?
- How do you bring faith into your sessions, and how do you decide when to do it?
- What happens if I want less faith in sessions, or more?
- Have you worked with people from my church tradition?
- Which therapy approaches do you use for concerns similar to mine?
We created Mental Health Match to make this part easier, and it’s free to use. You answer a few questions about what you’re looking for, including whether faith matters to you in therapy, and we introduce you to five therapists who are well suited to help. Most offer a free consultation, so you can ask about their approach to faith before you commit. You can start with a few questions whenever you’re ready.
Browse Christian Therapists by State
If you’d like to browse on your own, you can start with Christian counselors in your state.
- Christian therapists in Texas
- Christian therapists in Florida
- Christian therapists in Georgia
- Christian therapists in North Carolina
- Christian therapists in Tennessee
- Christian therapists in Ohio
- Christian therapists in California
- Christian therapists in Pennsylvania
| Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to a qualified healthcare professional about any medical concerns. If you are in crisis, please call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. |
