Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Christian CounselingTechniques of Christian CounselingWhat Christian Counseling Can Help WithBenefits of Christian CounselingEffectivenessThings to ConsiderHow to Get Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Types of Christian Counseling

Techniques of Christian Counseling

What Christian Counseling Can Help With

Benefits of Christian Counseling

Effectiveness

Things to Consider

How to Get Started

Close

Someone may decide to receive Christian counseling if they are seeking spiritual advisory. This form of counseling may be considered valuable to those already within the Christian faith hoping to gain further guidance, as well as those searching for a greater understanding of the religion itself.

While there aren’t necessarily any official types of Christian counseling, there are multiple subcategories in which Christian counseling can be integrated, such as psychotherapy, Christian psychology, biblical counseling, and pastoral counseling. Each of these categories are all very different and offer varying contributions to a person’s life.

Christian Counseling With Psychotherapy

It’s possible forpsychotherapyto incorporate Christian counseling. A psychologist or therapist (who usually identifies as Christian themselves) may practice a form of Christian counseling if they are equipped with adequate experience to give spiritual advice.

Christian Psychology

Christian psychology usually involves therapy sessions with a Christian psychologist. These psychologists are also referred to as integrationists because they seek to integrate Christianity into psychology.

This form of psychology may also include a focus on the subject of God’s grace in that God forgives sins and offers His love.

Biblical Counseling

Biblical counseling uses the Bible as a guide in counseling individuals as opposed to psychological theories.Content in the Bible is studied as an exemplification of virtuous acts.

Counselors attempt to connect the Bible’s meanings to the present world and personally relate its content to an individual’s life. This form of Christian counseling is more so practiced in Protestant denominations within a religious setting or theological institution.

Pastoral Counseling

Although biblical counseling is only related to Protestantism, pastoral counseling is more diverse and is a shared practice throughout Christianity.

Christian counseling techniques will be similar to that of traditional therapy, but with the incorporation of Christian belief practices such as prayer and bible reading.

Specifically, Christian counseling can incorporate the following approaches.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)can be used in Christian counseling with a therapist. This type of CBT is called Religious Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (RCBT), which helps an individual process irrational and unhelpful thoughts pertaining to religious matters, such as feelings of guilt or religious doubt.

In RCBT, religious concepts are used to facilitate healthier thinking and actions. The client is encouraged to utilize their religious beliefs to transform negative and harmful feelings into a more positive view of the world. RCBT can also help with understanding your faith. It coincides with the notion of strengthening virtues such as hope, meaning,optimismandpurpose.

Meditation

Meditationcan be an impactful strategy taught during counseling that helps one to focus their attention on the grace of God and how He has blessed their life.

It may also be combined withmindfulnesstechniques that teach how to be more in the present moment with God and feel a deeper connection with Him.

Meditation also targets destructive thinking that may distract from a person’s relationship with God. Therapists often remind the client to not judge themselves for these thoughts but to instead acknowledge them and begin the process of understanding the thoughts a bit further.

Prayer

Clergy leaders may engage in words of prayer before and/or after biblical or pastoral counseling. During prayer, they can ask God for a successful session, as well as invite Him to provide spiritual guidance.

Prayer is also used as a healing technique and meditation method that Christians believe allows them to communicate with God about circumstances that are burdensome. Prayer is a very sacred practice for those within the Christian faith that essentially connects believers to God.

Through prayer, a person is able to speak words of praise,gratitude, and humility to God but also ask for protection, deliverance, and intervention within their life and the lives of others. Clergy leaders providing counseling may partake in prayer to encourage and uplift the client as well as help them feel the presence of God.

Bible Reading

The Bible is used during biblical counseling as a learning tool for studying theology while relating its stories and philosophies to everyday life.

It can also be utilized in other Christian counseling as a way of providing additional support to what is being discussed and worked on in counseling. Scriptures or chapters within the Bible may be referenced to clients as words of affirmation or encouragement. Christians also use the Bible as a way to connect to God since it is considered a guide that He left for believers to follow.

The Best Online Christian Counseling Services, Tried and Tested

Christian counseling can be helpful in addressing conditions and life concerns such as those mentioned below:

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact theNational Domestic Violence Hotlineat1-800-799-7233for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

Religion and spiritualityare both associated with greater mental and physical well-being. This means it can be beneficial for some people to engage in religious or spiritual practices and seek spiritual guidance for mental health challenges as well as additional life concerns.

Integrating religion into psychotherapy is correlated with more positive traits, such as gratitude and optimism, which are linked to less depressive feelings.

Overall, investing in spiritual growth can add great advantages to a person’s life, and a Christian counselor may aid in the development of spiritual well-being.

Christian counseling is effective for spiritual enrichment, strengthening one’s relationship with God, and overcoming or managing mental health issues like depression.It also helps individuals in enhancing positive traits and feeling a sense of purpose in life.

One study found that integrating a client’s religion into therapy is just as (if not more) effective in treating depression than “secular treatments” for clients who have a designated faith.

Religion provides a set of beliefs that a therapist can use to help someone replace their own harmful thoughts. In this way, therapy centering on religion can help someone reduce their negative and hurtful thoughts and behaviors.

Clergy members can be effective in helping an individual manage depression or anxiety to an extent, but if symptoms persist or reach a certain severity, professional mental health treatment should be considered.

Christian counseling can be a complex matter. It is important to be clear in your expectations of what you hope to receive from Christian counseling, because some may have different ideas of what it is than others.

You should also keep in mind that not all therapists discuss religion in sessions. If you want to incorporate this type of counseling into psychotherapy, search for a Christian therapist and inquire about Christian counseling.

It’s possible that, if you want to receive a more theological approach to counseling, what you are looking for is in fact biblical or pastoral counseling. In this case, your search would be geared towards a clergy leader or minister rather than a licensed mental health professional.

If Christian counseling seems like something that you are interested, here’s what you can do to get started.

Decide Exactly What Type of Counseling You Have in Mind

Remember that Christian counseling can have various subcategories, so it’s important to identify what kind of counseling you’re interested in. If it seems like biblical or pastoral counseling is what you’ve been looking for, then contact a church or religious institution that can give you the right information.

Maybe you’re considering Christian counseling with a therapist. If so, search for a Christian clinician. For those who already have a psychologist, discuss adding religion and spirituality into your sessions. If your therapist doesn’t do Christian counseling, they may be able to point you in the direction of a therapist better suited for your needs.

Search for a Counselor or Therapist

If you currently do not have a therapist and want to find one that will incorporate Christian counseling, you can browse the internet for online or in-person therapy. An online therapy directory is a good place to start - often, you can filter your search on a directory for a therapist who provides Christian counseling or who identifies as a Christian.

Consult with your primary care physician or other health professionals, or contact yourinsurance providerto find therapists specifically in your network.

Expect to Tap Into Spiritual and Emotional Subjects

Talking about these topics may feel awkward at first but will eventually be easier to open up about. You don’t ever have to share information you are not comfortable discussing. Your counselor will try to go at a pace best for you and they should always approach your feelings with patience and sensitivity.

Have an Idea of What You Hope to Gain From Counseling

Be prepared to potentially be asked during yourfirst sessionwhat you want out of your therapeutic experience. The counselor will create the best plan for your sessions, but they will need a little understanding of why you decided to begin counseling. Together, you both can contribute to your progression.

How Spirituality Can Benefit Your Health and Well-Being

8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McMinn MR, Staley RC, Webb KC, Seegobin W.Just what is Christian counseling anyway?.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2010;41(5):391-397.Sedikides C.Why does religiosity persist?.Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2010;14(1):3-6. doi:10.1177/1088868309352323Koenig HG.Religious versus conventional psychotherapy formMajor depression in patients with chronic medical illness: Rationale, methods, and preliminary tesults.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:460419. doi:10.1155/2012/460419Sisemore TA, Richmont MA, Richmont MA, Richmont EM, Richmont MS, Richmont RF.Grace and christian psychology - part 1: Preliminary ,measurement, relationships, and implications for practice.Transdisciplinary J Christian Psychol.2011; 57-58.Hansen KL, Nielsen D, Harris M.Meditation, Christian Values and Psychotherapy.Relig Psychother. 2008;32(1):41-51.Powell LH, Shahabi L, Thoresen CE.Religion and spirituality. Linkages to physical health.Am Psychol. 2003;58(1):36-52. doi:10.1037/0003-066x.58.1.36National Alliance on Mental Illness.The mental health benefits of religion and spirituality.Pearce MJ, Koenig HG, Robins CJ, et al.Religiously integrated cognitive behavioral therapy: a new method of treatment for major depression in patients with chronic medical illness.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):56-66. doi:10.1037/a0036448

8 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.McMinn MR, Staley RC, Webb KC, Seegobin W.Just what is Christian counseling anyway?.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2010;41(5):391-397.Sedikides C.Why does religiosity persist?.Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2010;14(1):3-6. doi:10.1177/1088868309352323Koenig HG.Religious versus conventional psychotherapy formMajor depression in patients with chronic medical illness: Rationale, methods, and preliminary tesults.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:460419. doi:10.1155/2012/460419Sisemore TA, Richmont MA, Richmont MA, Richmont EM, Richmont MS, Richmont RF.Grace and christian psychology - part 1: Preliminary ,measurement, relationships, and implications for practice.Transdisciplinary J Christian Psychol.2011; 57-58.Hansen KL, Nielsen D, Harris M.Meditation, Christian Values and Psychotherapy.Relig Psychother. 2008;32(1):41-51.Powell LH, Shahabi L, Thoresen CE.Religion and spirituality. Linkages to physical health.Am Psychol. 2003;58(1):36-52. doi:10.1037/0003-066x.58.1.36National Alliance on Mental Illness.The mental health benefits of religion and spirituality.Pearce MJ, Koenig HG, Robins CJ, et al.Religiously integrated cognitive behavioral therapy: a new method of treatment for major depression in patients with chronic medical illness.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):56-66. doi:10.1037/a0036448

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

McMinn MR, Staley RC, Webb KC, Seegobin W.Just what is Christian counseling anyway?.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2010;41(5):391-397.Sedikides C.Why does religiosity persist?.Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2010;14(1):3-6. doi:10.1177/1088868309352323Koenig HG.Religious versus conventional psychotherapy formMajor depression in patients with chronic medical illness: Rationale, methods, and preliminary tesults.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:460419. doi:10.1155/2012/460419Sisemore TA, Richmont MA, Richmont MA, Richmont EM, Richmont MS, Richmont RF.Grace and christian psychology - part 1: Preliminary ,measurement, relationships, and implications for practice.Transdisciplinary J Christian Psychol.2011; 57-58.Hansen KL, Nielsen D, Harris M.Meditation, Christian Values and Psychotherapy.Relig Psychother. 2008;32(1):41-51.Powell LH, Shahabi L, Thoresen CE.Religion and spirituality. Linkages to physical health.Am Psychol. 2003;58(1):36-52. doi:10.1037/0003-066x.58.1.36National Alliance on Mental Illness.The mental health benefits of religion and spirituality.Pearce MJ, Koenig HG, Robins CJ, et al.Religiously integrated cognitive behavioral therapy: a new method of treatment for major depression in patients with chronic medical illness.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):56-66. doi:10.1037/a0036448

McMinn MR, Staley RC, Webb KC, Seegobin W.Just what is Christian counseling anyway?.Prof Psychol Res Pract. 2010;41(5):391-397.

Sedikides C.Why does religiosity persist?.Pers Soc Psychol Rev. 2010;14(1):3-6. doi:10.1177/1088868309352323

Koenig HG.Religious versus conventional psychotherapy formMajor depression in patients with chronic medical illness: Rationale, methods, and preliminary tesults.Depress Res Treat. 2012;2012:460419. doi:10.1155/2012/460419

Sisemore TA, Richmont MA, Richmont MA, Richmont EM, Richmont MS, Richmont RF.Grace and christian psychology - part 1: Preliminary ,measurement, relationships, and implications for practice.Transdisciplinary J Christian Psychol.2011; 57-58.

Hansen KL, Nielsen D, Harris M.Meditation, Christian Values and Psychotherapy.Relig Psychother. 2008;32(1):41-51.

Powell LH, Shahabi L, Thoresen CE.Religion and spirituality. Linkages to physical health.Am Psychol. 2003;58(1):36-52. doi:10.1037/0003-066x.58.1.36

National Alliance on Mental Illness.The mental health benefits of religion and spirituality.

Pearce MJ, Koenig HG, Robins CJ, et al.Religiously integrated cognitive behavioral therapy: a new method of treatment for major depression in patients with chronic medical illness.Psychotherapy (Chic). 2015;52(1):56-66. doi:10.1037/a0036448

Hannah Owens, LMSW

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