If you’ve been thinking of starting counseling, I’d like to offer you a word of encouragement and a dose of preparation. As a therapist, I’ve had the incredible privilege of helping many people find freedom and healing from things they thought they would carry to their grave. As much as I’d love to tell you that it’s a quick and painless process, I would be doing you a disservice. Why? Imagine this: every time you experienced pain, heartache, suffering, or hardships, you took a marble and tucked it neatly under the rug in your brain’s living room-stick with me for a second- you’ll see it. So you put one marble under there and guess what? No harm, no foul, right? No one can see it and it’s out of the way. Now fast forward a year or two… maybe three decades. Your rug is now perched precariously on top of a mountain of marbles. Oops.

So, yes, it’s going to take a bit of time and effort to clean all of the marbles out from under the rug, but when you do, you’ll be wondering how you carried that weight around for so long. But does that mean to run to the first counselor you find and call it a day? Not quite. As a believer you understand that we were all crafted uniquely with our own gifts and strengths. Counselors are no exception. Some counselors will be calm and gentle while others are more energetic and direct. Some will focus heavily on your upbringing while others will look more at the here-and-now. This means that not everyone is going to be a good fit for you because you are also a unique person who has your own preferences. You might find that the first counselor you start working with isn’t a good fit. That’s okay! A competent counselor is going to understand that their style is not going to mesh with every person who walks in their door (or logs into their virtual therapy room). That being said, there are some distinctions that may help you understand which kind of counselor to see.

Why Christian Counseling Matters

For many believers, faith is central to how they process pain, yet traditional therapy may not always address spiritual health. That’s where Christian counseling stands apart.

A Christian counselor recognizes that healing isn’t just emotional or mental — it’s also spiritual. Faith isn’t treated as an afterthought but as a vital source of hope, identity, and resilience. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, relationship issues, or questions about God’s purpose for your life, Christian therapy allows you to explore these topics through both psychological understanding and biblical truth.

What’s Unique About Christian Counselors

Christian counselors offer a unique blend of traditional therapy techniques and Christian beliefs. They provide a holistic approach to dealing with mental health issues, personal challenges, and spiritual questions. If you have been walking with the Lord, you would probably say that faith is the center of your life. Your decisions, relationships, and beliefs are shaped by your faith. Working with a Christian counselor means you don’t have to explain or justify any of those things. You can be confident that your counselor won’t just nod along while you describe your faith, but they will share and value your beliefs.

**A good Christian counselor will use the same technical methods as secular counselors while incorporating biblical principles and spiritual discernment.**
**This helps ensure that the counseling is both effective and in tune with your faith**.

How Christian Counseling Integrates Faith and Psychology

Many people wonder how faith and psychology can coexist in therapy. Christian counselors bridge this gap by using proven therapeutic methods — like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, or solution-focused therapy — through the lens of Scripture.

For example, a Christian counselor might help you identify negative thought patterns while also grounding you in biblical truth, such as Philippians 4:8, which calls believers to dwell on what is true, noble, right, and pure. This integration allows clients to renew their minds (Romans 12:2) while developing practical tools for daily life.

The result is a holistic approach to mental health — one that treats both the mind and the soul.

Pastoral Counselors: Types of Christian Counselors

If you’ve never been to counseling before, it’s natural to wonder what to expect. A Christian therapist will usually begin by asking about your goals, your background, and your faith journey. Together, you’ll explore emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges in a safe, nonjudgmental space.

Prayer or Scripture may be woven into sessions if you’re comfortable with it, but the focus remains on evidence-based counseling that aligns with biblical principles. Many clients describe Christian counseling as both deeply grounding and profoundly freeing — a reminder that healing and faith can coexist beautifully.

Pastoral Counselors

Pastoral counselors are ordained clergy members with specialized counseling training from a seminary or theological school. Their deep-rooted knowledge of the Bible and theology often comes from years of pastoral work making them perfect for tackling issues like marital problems, grief, and spiritual crises within the church.

Licensed Counselors

If you are looking for someone to help with physiological issues such as anxiety, perfectionism, depression, or trauma, you will want a licensed therapist. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) all hold a master's degree, have had thousands of hours of supervision within their fields, passed state licensing exams, and are required to continue their education even after becoming licensed.

Clinical Psychologists

Psychologists hold a doctoral degree in psychology, with further training in theology or pastoral counseling for those focusing on Christian counseling. They focus largely on research and assessments for psychological disorders but many also offer psychotherapy (counseling).

Christian counseling can address a wide range of challenges, from emotional to relational to spiritual. Common concerns include:

Anxiety, depression, and stress management
Marriage or family conflict
Trauma recovery and forgiveness
Perfectionism and people-pleasing
Spiritual burnout or faith doubts
Life transitions, grief, or identity struggles

No matter what brings you to therapy, your counselor’s goal is to help you process pain through both professional expertise and the lens of God’s truth.

How do you choose the right Christian counselor for you?

You unique needs will determine which one is best for your current season of life. If you need spiritual support, consider pastoral counselors. For mental health issues, LPCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, or clinical psychologists with a Christian focus may be a better fit.
Remember, it's important to find someone who makes you feel safe and comfortable, offering psychological support infused with biblical guidance for your healing and growth journey.

In the end, it’s about finding someone you can feel safe and comfortable with.

Christian counseling can offer a unique mix of clinical, biblical, and practical support. Knowing the different levels of training and experience can help you choose the right counselor to meet your needs, ensuring you get help that aligns with both your mental health and spiritual beliefs.

If you're looking for more resources, grab my free guide on nurturing your mental health as a Christian woman. Grab it here!

(P.S. If you're in Texas and seeking therapy, I offer free consultations - check it out here!)

While I am a licensed therapist, this post is for informational purposes only and may not be suitable for your specific situation. It should not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here are not intended to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, or diagnosis. Always consult with your physician or a medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.

What is a Christian Counselor?