Where Faith and Therapy Meet
I've been doing marketing for my recently launched counseling practice, and one question I hear often is:
"What is Christian counseling?"
The answer is that Christian counseling can look different depending on the counselor. A pastor, biblical counselor, psychologist, or licensed therapist may each approach it differently. Today, I want to share what Christian counseling looks like at Faithfully Thriving Counseling PLLC.
The First Session
When we begin working together through teletherapy, our first appointment is called an intake session. During this session, I ask many questions to gain a better understanding of your medical, emotional, mental health, family, and personal history.
I share with clients that they can share as much or as little as they feel comfortable sharing. Therapy is a process, and trust takes time. It is always okay to say, "I don't want to talk about that right now."
As part of that assessment, I also ask about your spiritual beliefs. I'll ask if you have a particular faith and whether you would like your beliefs incorporated into counseling.
For some clients, faith is not something they want included in therapy. Others may not believe in God at all. In those situations, I provide the same compassionate, evidence-based care without incorporating Christian beliefs into our sessions.
For clients who identify as Christians and desire faith to be part of their healing journey, this is where Christian counseling begins to take shape.
What Makes Christian Counseling Different?
People who believe in the Triune God and trust that the Bible is the inspired Word of God still experience anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, relationship struggles, and life's many hardships. Being a Christian does not remove suffering.
What it does provide is hope.
As believers, we know that our identity is found in Christ, that God is present with us in our suffering, and that our purpose extends beyond our circumstances. We believe that salvation is not something we earn through our own efforts, but rather a gift of God's grace through Jesus Christ.
These truths can become an important part of the healing process for clients who desire them.
Evidence-Based Therapy Still Matters
As licensed therapists, we spend years studying human behavior, mental health, and effective treatment methods. We are trained in evidence-based treatment approaches—therapies that have been supported through research and shown to be effective for specific mental health concerns.
Just as a physician selects the appropriate treatment based on a person's symptoms and medical needs, therapists choose therapeutic approaches that best fit a person's concerns, goals, and needs.
Some of these approaches may include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Play Therapy, and other research-supported interventions.
Where Faith and Therapy Meet
Christian counseling does not replace evidence-based therapy—it integrates faith alongside clinically sound therapeutic approaches.
When a client desires Christian counseling, I thoughtfully incorporate biblical truth alongside therapeutic interventions. This may include exploring how Scripture relates to a particular struggle, discussing how faith influences decision-making, praying together if the client requests it, or identifying spiritual practices that support emotional healing.
My goal is never to force faith into therapy. Instead, it is to provide a safe and supportive space where your relationship with God can be acknowledged and incorporated into your healing journey if that is important to you.
My Goal for Every Client
Whether you are a committed Christian, questioning your faith, or do not identify with any faith tradition, you will be treated with dignity, compassion, and respect.
If you are looking for counseling that combines professional, evidence-based therapy with a Christian worldview, I would be honored to walk alongside you as you pursue healing, hope, and lasting growth.
At Faithfully Thriving Counseling, my desire is to help people not simply survive life's challenges—but to faithfully thrive through them.
