What is Christian Counseling?

There are many people who request Christian counseling. They want to know that the counselor understands the tenets of the Christian faith and the practices that go along with it. Typically, they want someone who will not try to convince them that their faith does not play a role in their psychological health or downplay their faith. The truth is that research bears witness to the positive associations between faith and wellbeing*.

What Christian Counseling is Not

Let’s start with what it is not. Christian counseling is not telling someone what they should do or what they should believe. This would not be counseling, and it would be highly unethical. Many Christians want to know that just as Christ brings freedom from sin (Galatians 5:1), counseling will help to bring freedom from what is keeping them stuck. Counseling is a mix of truth and grace with grace leading the way. One cannot take in the truth until they know it comes from a place of care and support of their wellbeing.

An important aspect to note is that Christian counselors show honor and respect to each client regardless of whether the client wants to incorporate Christian principles into counseling. The truth is that some clients of faith have been wounded and do not want Christian counseling. This is perfectly okay. They come because they want someone who understands the faith background that was a part of the wounding, and they want someone who can offer the compassion and care they originally sought.

Christian Counseling

Christian counseling is a blend of evidenced-based practices and biblical principles. However, I will say that at Breathe Again Counseling, we are not the “take two verses and call me in the morning” type. Again, that is not counseling. Many clients of the Christian faith know the Bible and want to be reminded of its truth and promises as they face life’s challenges. AND they want to learn skills that research has proven to be effective in treating mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.

Clients want to know and understand how to change. They don’t just want more knowledge. They have tried what they know to do on their own, yet something is still not working for them.

In counseling, skills are taught that use the thinking part of the brain, and other skills are taught that access the emotional brain and brainstem regions. For example, deep breathing is a common skill that is learned in counseling across the board, but Christian counseling also brings in that it is not only a way to connect to yourself, but a way to connect with God because that is how God first connected with humans in the Bible. The whole person is treated including the spirit of the person.

Christian counseling also uses biblical principles to incorporate spiritual disciplines like prayer, meditation, Bible reading, worship, and service as appropriate. These disciplines help the client to grow in their faith and draw closer to God which is what many clients of the Christian faith want in addition to life skills that work. A great book that integrates faith and psychology is How People Grow by psychologists, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

Christian Counselors

Christian counselors also bring a connection to the Spirit of God which can connect to the Spirit of God in the other person. It brings an additional layer of feeling seen. And it can bring comfort to individuals who rely on their faith in the way they practice living.

After assessing for safety, counselors first seek to understand the context of the person’s troubles and how those patterns first developed. The counselor will then work with the client to set goals that are essential for the client’s wellbeing. These goals are based on what the client determines to be salient. Choice is always offered.

Counseling in General

Just like any counselor, the aim is to help clients live healthily and autonomously while at the same time be connected to sound and supportive relationships. Counselors provide a compassionate and empathetic witness to whatever pain the person is experiencing. Many clients come to therapy feeling like their pain is trivial compared to others and they can feel shame for being in distress. Whatever heartache someone is experiencing is important – period. It’s important because it matters to them. No one else gets to decide that.

If you are a person of faith and want to incorporate it into your counseling, please ask your counselor if that is an option when you work with them. It’s so essential for each client to understand their needs and to work with someone who is a good therapeutic fit. Regardless of what you choose – Christian counseling or not – there is hope for healing because you matter and your story matters too.

* Plante, T. G., & Sharma, N. K. (2001). Religious faith and mental health outcomes. In T. G. Plante & A. C. Sherman (Eds.), Faith and health: Psychological perspectives (pp. 240–261). The Guilford Press.