How to Find a Christian Therapist

If you have a relationship with God that’s central to your life, it makes perfect sense to want a Christian therapist. “When both the client and therapist practice the same faith, they can draw on a shared body of knowledge that they both understand and value,” says Chuck Roberts, LCP, a former pastor and Christian therapist based in Dallas, TX.

Connecting with a Christian therapist can take a few extra steps — and there are some special considerations to keep in mind. “Christian” is a broad term, and the word “counselor” can be used both by licensed clinicians who practice evidence-based mental health care as well as individuals whose guidance draws solely from Scripture. There’s no right or wrong in terms of who can help you; it’s a matter of finding the best fit.

It’s also normal to have doubts and questions that can stop you from seeking a Christian therapist or any kind of therapist. Keep reading for tips on connecting with a counselor and overcoming obstacles so you can get the support you need.

What’s the difference between a Christian therapist and Biblical counselor?

The terms “therapist” and “counselor” are often used interchangeably. One key thing to consider is whether it’s important to you to work with a licensed mental health clinician vs. a Biblical counselor. The former will draw on a combination of formal mental health training and faith-based counseling to address your concerns and navigate challenges. The latter will rely mainly (or entirely) on scripture to guide your therapy sessions.

Licensed Christian Therapists

Licensed Christian therapists have earned a masters-level degree in a mental health field, completed 2,000 to 3,000 hours of clinical training, and have passed their state licensing board exam. They can also bill insurance for their services. So if you see a Christian therapist who takes your insurance, you're likely to pay around $25 per session.

A licensed Christian therapist will have one or more of the following credentials:

• Licensed Counselor (LPC, LMHC, LCPC, LPCC): Licensed Professional Counselors or Licensed Mental Health Counselors focus on diagnosing and addressing mental health conditions. They can treat individuals, couples, or groups.
• Licensed Social Worker (LCSW, LICSW): Social workers offer the same services as above, but also have special training in patient advocacy, case management, and connecting clients with community resources.
• Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT): These therapists provide therapy and mental health diagnoses for individuals as well as couples and families, and specialize in examining the dynamics of romantic and family relationships.
• Psychologists (PhD, PsyD): Psychologists have doctorate-level degrees and expertise that allows them to conduct complex cognitive testing and treat more severe mental health concerns.

Some licensed Christian therapists will also have education specific to their faith, for example, their undergraduate and/or graduate degree may be from a Christian university. Others may have relevant experience as a Pastor or lay minister. Even those without structured religious training have chosen to identify as a Christian therapist because of the strength of their faith and their dedication to helping clients feel God’s love and live in Jesus’s image.

Biblical Counselors

Biblical counselors can establish expertise by earning specialized certifications for organizations like the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) and Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC). The requirements for certification vary depending on the issuing organization, as can the degree to which Scripture is seen as the only source counselors are permitted to draw from.

It’s important to note that this type of certification does not allow for the formal diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, and counseling sessions with non-licensed Biblical counselors are not covered by insurance. Nonetheless, Biblical counselors can be effective guides for navigating life’s challenges in alignment with your faith.

“In general, Biblical counselors are well-versed and trained in using Scripture alone as the reference to address any circumstances that bring someone to counseling, which is a valuable approach and can be the right fit for many, ” says Suzanne Pallas, LCSW, a Chandler, AZ-based Christian therapist. “As a Licensed Christian therapist, I use both my Biblical perspective and my formal professional training and education together to assist clients in meeting their counseling goals.”

How to find a licensed Christian therapist

Most people who are looking for a licensed Christian therapist are also hoping to find someone who will take their insurance. They may also have other needs and preferences. For example, they might want a male or female therapist, a therapist who has training in a particular concern like anxiety or anger management, or one who uses a specific modality like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

Therapist directories like the one at Alma make it easy to find a verified licensed therapist who checks all of the boxes that are important to you, starting with faith.

How to use the Alma directory to find a Christian therapist:

1. Use this link to see a pre-filtered list of providers who offer Christian therapy.
2. Adjust the filters at the top of the screen to select other preferences, including your insurance plan.
3. Carefully read the provider profiles to learn how they integrate faith into their sessions.
4. Pick 2-3 providers who seem like they’d be a good fit for you and reach out to request a consultation.

Providers will reach out to you to schedule a free, 15-minute call to discuss your needs or goals, talk about the role faith plays in your life, and answer any questions you might have about Christian therapy.

Another good option for finding a therapist who practices care that is rooted in both science and faith is through the Christian Association for Psychology Study (CAPS), though the CAPS directory does not verify provider qualifications or include information about insurance.

How to find a Biblical counselor

The best way to find a Biblical counselor is often to go through your church. If you’re unable to find someone by contacting your local ministry, you can search for counselors using the ACBC’s directory or the ABC’s directory.

What role does Scripture play in Christian-based therapy?

When working with a licensed Christian therapist, the degree to which Scripture is brought into your sessions is typically up to you. You can choose a therapist who regularly incorporates Biblical passages and prayer or someone who integrates faith more broadly.

“I don’t reference Scripture in every session,” says Roberts, “I tend to share stories from the Bible to help express an idea or provide an example, because these are stories that my client and I find familiar and meaningful.“

During a consultation or in an early session, a Christian therapist will typically ask you thoughtful questions to better understand your faith, and what will and won’t work for you. Then you can work together to determine if you’d be a good fit.

“I ask clients what role religious beliefs and values play in their approach to life,” says Pallas. “I ask about the circumstances that brought them to counseling and how they have impacted their faith and vice versa. I will often ask if a client is active in a church or connected to a faith community. In addition, I will ask the client directly how they want faith integrated in their therapy and provide some examples of what that can look like.”

Counselors know that these questions can elicit a range of feelings. “When I ask about faith, I know that some clients may think I'm not doing enough. I don't go to church or pray as often as I should,” says Roberts. “This can bring up feelings of shame. I try to emphasize that this is not a spiritual checkup to see if you’re meeting a certain standard. As counselors, we’re just curious to know where faith fits into your life and the kind of support that will be most helpful.”

To the extent you feel you can, it’s important to be honest with a potential therapist from the start. Let them know what you hope to get out of therapy, how you feel about your faith, and what doubts and concerns you might have.

Managing doubts about therapy — or your faith

Starting therapy is its own leap of faith. If you’ve never had mental health counseling before, you may doubt that it can really help you. You may be reluctant to open up to someone and share thoughts you’re not proud of or discuss behaviors that other people have judged harshly.

“It’s hard to do therapy, it's hard to come in and be honest about what’s going on, about things that have happened to us and things we’ve done to others,” says Roberts. “But no matter how ugly life can get, if we can sit together and gain an understanding of how deeply loved we are by God — and that his love never, ever wavers — we can face anything and move through it.”

If you’ve been through hard times, it’s also common to doubt God’s love. “I want to reassure people that doubt doesn't make you a bad Christian in any way,” says Roberts. “it means that you're engaging with God in some way, even if you're bringing doubt to him. That’s okay — there is plenty of room for your doubt. You can bring all the doubt that you have.”

You may also be concerned that, despite being Christians, you and your therapist will have different religious views that will get in the way of the work. With a licensed therapist this is very unlikely to be the case.

“As the therapist, my goal is not to get into a debate or argue specific views of religious issues or impress my views on my clients,” says Pallas. “Rather, my goal is to honor and help the client meet their counseling goals in a way that is effective for them. If differing views become an obstacle in helping client progress and the client desires to talk it through, it can become a part of the therapy process.”

How Christian therapists balance faith with science

Science and religion often clash, but within the context of a therapy session with a clinician who values both, they can be seamlessly combined.

“When we think about the way that we are wired, our bodies, our brains, our neurological systems, skeletal system, respiratory system and all the other systems in our body, we know they work together to help us function physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually,” says Pallas. “As a Christian, I believe God, the Creator and Master Designer of us, thought of it first. From my perspective, many of the different formal therapeutic approaches and interventions are discoveries of the way God has created us.”

Most importantly, a Christian therapist will never push you to utilize a science-backed treatment that undermines your faith. “If there is a part of any formal approach that does not align with God’s word, I am very upfront with the client and do not integrate it into the session,” says Pallas.

Drawing on the most useful aspects of evidence-based treatment and faith-based counseling can help you get better results in therapy. “Understanding things like attachment theory and what’s happening physiologically when we’re anxious or have experienced trauma can be extremely beneficial,” says Roberts. “I often tell my clients, it’s not just about trying to believe the right things, you may need to address what’s happening in your body first — you may need to do breathing exercises or use other body-soothing techniques before anything words or ideas from Scripture can begin to sink in.”

Taking the first step

Often, the hardest part isn't finding the right therapist, it’s giving yourself permission to look. A consultation is just a conversation. You don't need to have the right words, or a clear sense of what you need, or a faith that feels sturdy enough. You just need to reach out.