Table of Contents

What is Faith-Based Counseling?

Faith-based counseling is a form of therapy that integrates spiritual or religious beliefs with traditional counseling techniques to address mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It’s often provided by counselors or therapists who share the client’s faith, allowing for a deeper understanding of religious values and practices. The popularity of faith-based counseling services varies depending on the region and religious affiliations. Christian counseling services, such as those offered by organizations like the American Association of Christian Counselors, are among the most well-known. However, faith-based counseling can be found for various religious traditions, including Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, and Buddhist counseling services, tailored to the specific needs of those communities.

Faith Based Counseling Principals

Faith-based counseling principles may vary depending on the specific religious tradition and the counselor’s approach. However, some common principles include:

  • Integration of Faith: The belief that faith is an essential component of healing and well-being, and it should be integrated into therapy.
  • Holistic Approach: Recognizing that individuals are not just physical and emotional beings but also spiritual and addressing all these dimensions in counseling.
  • Prayer and Meditation: Encouraging clients to engage in prayer, meditation, or other spiritual practices as part of the therapeutic process.
  • Values and Morality: Addressing moral and ethical dilemmas from a religious perspective and helping clients align their values with their actions.
  • Supportive and Non-Judgmental: Providing a safe, non-judgmental space for clients to explore their faith and personal challenges.
  • Respect for Diversity: Being respectful and sensitive to diverse religious beliefs and practices.
  • Ethical Boundaries: Maintaining ethical boundaries and not imposing personal beliefs on clients.
  • Confidentiality: Upholding the same confidentiality standards as traditional counseling.

It’s important to note that these principles can vary widely depending on the religious tradition and the counselor’s approach, and clients should seek a faith-based counselor whose values align with their own.

LifeStance Health specializes in Faith-Based Counseling with multiple locations in 33 states. Services vary by location.

Find a location near you:

Types of Christian Counseling

Christian-based counseling stands as the most popular and sought-after form of faith-based counseling in the United States. Firstly, it aligns with the country’s predominant religious affiliation, with a large Christian population. Additionally, many individuals seeking faith-based counseling naturally gravitate towards Christian services due to their familiarity with the Christian faith and its teachings. The extensive network of Christian counseling organizations, churches, and professionals further contributes to its popularity.

Christian counseling encompasses various types and approaches to address a wide range of emotional, psychological, and spiritual issues. Some common types of Christian counseling include:

  • Pastoral Counseling typically provided by ordained clergy or pastors, it integrates Christian faith and theology into counseling sessions, offering guidance on spiritual and emotional matters.
  • The Biblical Counseling approach relies heavily on the Bible for guidance and solutions to personal and relational problems, aligning therapy with scriptural principles.
  • Christian Marriage Counseling focuses on strengthening and restoring marriages by incorporating Christian values, biblical teachings, and prayer into couples counseling.
  • Christian Family Counseling aims to address family issues and dynamics from a Christian perspective, emphasizing biblical principles for family well-being.
  • Christian Counseling for Addictions combines faith-based principles with addiction recovery strategies to help individuals overcome substance abuse or addictive behaviors.
  • Christian Counseling for Youth and Adolescents is tailored to address the unique emotional and developmental needs of young individuals within a Christian framework.
  • Grief and Loss Counseling provides support and guidance to those dealing with grief and loss from a Christian perspective, incorporating principles of faith and hope.

How To Find a Christian Counselor (Therapist)

Finding a qualified and certified therapist is crucial when seeking faith-based counseling, including Christian counseling, as their training ensures the integration of faith with professional expertise. A certified therapist can provide the guidance, support, and ethical standards needed to address one’s emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being effectively, ensuring a holistic and well-informed approach to healing.

The licensure requirements for Christian counseling can vary from one jurisdiction to another, and they often depend on the specific type of counseling being offered. In general, individuals who are typically licensed to provide Christian counseling include:

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs): These mental health professionals have a master’s degree in counseling or a related field and are licensed by their state. They may integrate Christian principles into their counseling practice.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs): LCSWs with a Christian perspective can provide counseling services to individuals, couples, and families.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs): LMFTs who integrate Christian values and teachings into their practice may offer Christian marriage and family counseling.

Pastors and Clergy: Ordained ministers and religious leaders may provide pastoral counseling that incorporates Christian faith and scripture. In many cases, pastors and clergy can offer pastoral counseling that incorporates spiritual and faith-based guidance without formal mental health care education and licensing. However, it’s essential to note that pastoral counseling is often focused on matters of faith and spirituality rather than in-depth mental health treatment. If individuals seek mental health or clinical counseling services, it is advisable to consult licensed mental health professionals or therapists who have both the required education and licensing to address their specific needs effectively.

Certified Christian Counselors: Some individuals pursue specific certifications in Christian counseling through organizations like the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) to provide faith-based counseling services.

At LifeStance Health we offer a variety of psychotherapy options to help with grief. Our therapists who specialize in Faith Based counseling offer in-person and remote appointments.

To find a therapist near you specializing in Faith Based Therapy, browse LifeStance therapist directory by applying the “Faith Based Treatment” selection in the “Services Provided” drop-down box. To find a Christian counseling therapist, select “Christian Counseling” in the drop-down box.

photo of LifeStance provider Nicholette Leanza, MA, LPCC-S

Clinically Reviewed By:

Nicholette Leanza, MA, LPCC-S
View Profile

Nicholette is a faculty member at John Carroll University’s Clinical Counseling program, and she is also the host of the LifeStance podcast, Convos from the Couch.