Christian Counseling: How to Get the Help You Need

Life can be heavy. Really heavy. You might be carrying a weight that’s hard to put into words—anxiety that lingers, relationship issues that won’t resolve, trauma from your past that keeps resurfacing, or a general sense of feeling lost and spiritually disconnected. And in those moments, you might wonder, Is there anyone who can actually help me through this?

If your faith matters to you—if Jesus is your anchor or you’re trying to connect deeper with Him—then Christian counseling might be exactly what your heart needs. Starting the process can feel overwhelming. Maybe you’re unsure of what Christian counseling really is. Maybe you’re afraid it won’t help. Or maybe you just don’t know where to start or what to expect.

That’s why I put together this guide. I want to walk with you, step by step, and help you understand what Christian counseling is, how it works, and how to find a therapist who truly gets both your emotional needs and your walk with God. Not with fancy language or big theological terms, but with real talk—because you deserve to be seen, heard, and supported in every way: emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

So, What Exactly Is Christian Counseling?

At its heart, Christian counseling is just what it sounds like: therapy that integrates your faith in Christ with evidence-based psychological tools. It’s not just about reading Bible verses and calling it a day. And it’s not ignoring your faith and diving straight into clinical models, either. It’s a beautiful blend of both.

A Christian counselor is a licensed mental health professional—someone with real training, credentials, and experience—who also shares your faith in Jesus. That means they can help you work through your struggles like anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, burnout, or relationship conflict, while also inviting God into the healing process.

Here’s what makes Christian counseling unique:

• It affirms Scripture as the ultimate truth.

• It invites prayer and spiritual practices when you’re open to it.

• It honors your identity as someone created in the image of God.

• It addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.

This doesn’t mean it’s all spiritual talk. Christian counselors still use proven methods like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy), trauma-informed care, and more. But they also help you explore how God might be working in your story, even in the messy, painful chapters.

Who Is Christian Counseling For?

Short answer? You.

If you’re someone who values your faith—even if it’s shaky right now—Christian counseling could be a powerful resource. You don’t need to be a Bible scholar, a weekly churchgoer, or someone who has it all together. You just need to be someone who wants healing and is open to seeing how faith might play a role in that process.

Christian counseling is especially helpful if you:

• Are a woman struggling with anxiety, depression, or exhaustion

• Are stuck in relationship patterns that leave you feeling hurt and unheard

• Have trauma or painful childhood memories that won’t let go

• Are a mom overwhelmed by parenting and the mental load you carry

• Are in ministry and need a confidential space to breathe

• Are wrestling with spiritual doubts or deconstructing your beliefs

• Are longing for deeper peace and connection with God

If you’ve ever thought, "I should be able to handle this on my own, but I just can’t,"—please hear me: You weren’t made to carry it all alone. Asking for help isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom.

How Do You Know If It’s Time to Reach Out?

One of the biggest myths I hear is: "I’m not struggling enough to need therapy." Counseling isn’t just for people in crisis. It’s for clarity, growth, prevention, and spiritual alignment too.

Here are some signs that it might be time to reach out:

• You feel emotionally drained more days than not

• You’re stuck in a cycle of worry, fear, or overthinking

• Your relationships feel hard, distant, or confusing

• You’re grieving a loss and can’t seem to move forward

• You feel far from God and don’t know how to reconnect

• You’ve tried doing all the “right things” but still feel off

• You just want a safe, honest space to process life

If any of that resonates, it’s okay to say, "I need support." Therapy can help you make sense of what you’re carrying—and maybe even lay some of it down.

What to Look for in a Christian Counselor

Not every Christian counselor is the same, and that’s actually a good thing. It means you can find someone who fits you. Here’s what to consider:

1. Credentials

You’ll want someone who is licensed—like an LPC, LPCC, LCSW, or LISW. These professionals have been through graduate school, supervised experience, and board exams. Pastoral counselors can be helpful too, but unless they’re also licensed clinicians, they may not be trained to treat mental health conditions.

2. Faith Integration

Ask them how they bring faith into therapy. Some will pray with you each session. Others will let you lead when and how faith shows up. You get to decide how spiritually integrated you want your sessions to be.

3. Specialty Areas

Look for someone who specializes in what you’re facing—whether that’s trauma, anxiety, marriage issues, parenting, or faith deconstruction. A good counselor will refer you to someone else if they’re not the best fit.

4. Relational Fit

This one’s huge. You need to feel safe enough with your therapist. You should feel heard, respected, and understood. Trust builds over time, but there should be a growing sense of connection—not discomfort or confusion.

How to Actually Find a Christian Counselor

You’ve made the decision to try Christian counseling—now what? Here are some ways to start:

1. Ask Your Church

Many churches have trusted referrals. Your pastor might even know local therapists or practices that align with your beliefs.

2. Use Online Directories

Websites like Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network or Psychology Today (filter by "Christian" under "Faith") let you browse licensed therapists who are open about their faith.

3. Word of Mouth

Talk to friends, pastors, or others in your community. A personal referral can help you find someone others have already trusted.

4. Check Their Website

Look for a clear explanation of their faith, credentials, and approach. Many therapists (myself included) offer a free consultation so you can see if it’s a good fit before diving in.

Just remember—your therapist must be licensed in the state you’re physically located in at the time of each session, even if the therapy is online. Always double-check that detail.

What Happens In Christian Counseling?

If you’ve never been to therapy before, the unknown can feel scary. So let me demystify it a bit:

First Session

You’ll talk about why you’re there, what your story has looked like, and what you’re hoping to get out of counseling. Your therapist will ask questions to understand your background and goals. You’ll review the forms you completed before your first session. 

Ongoing Sessions

Together, you’ll explore your thoughts, emotions, patterns, beliefs, and spiritual life. You might be given journal prompts, Scripture reflections, or practical strategies to try in between sessions.

Goal-Setting

You and your counselor will clarify what healing looks like for you—whether it’s managing anxiety, processing past wounds, reconnecting with God, or communicating better with your spouse.

Spiritual Support

Faith can show up in many ways—prayer, Bible study, conversations about spiritual identity, or just holding space for where you are with God. You’re in the driver’s seat.

You don’t have to have all the answers or even know where to begin. That’s what your counselor is there for.

How to Get the Most Out of It

Therapy is an investment—of time, money, and emotional energy. But it can be life-changing when you engage fully. Here’s how to lean in:

• Be Honest. You don’t have to have it all figured out, but being real—about the hard stuff—is where the healing starts.

• Do the Work Between Sessions. Journal. Pray. Reflect. Try the tools your counselor suggests.

• Pray Over the Process. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead the work. God often uses therapy to speak truth into places that have long felt silent.

• Give Yourself Grace. Growth takes time. There will be hard sessions. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.

• Communicate Openly. If something doesn’t feel helpful, speak up. A good counselor will be open to feedback and navigate how to make your use of therapy time the best return on your investment.

What If You’ve Tried Before and It Didn’t Help?

You’re not alone if you’ve had a bad experience with counseling in the past. Maybe it felt too clinical. Or not spiritual enough. Or maybe you left feeling judged, dismissed, or misunderstood.

I’m so sorry if that happened to you.

But I also want to gently encourage you: please don’t let one experience define your entire journey. There are counselors out there who will respect your story and your faith. You might just need to try again—with clearer expectations and stronger boundaries.

You are allowed to start over. You are worth a second try.

Is It Really Worth the Time and Money?

Yes, therapy can be a big commitment. And I know it’s hard to prioritize your needs when your calendar is packed or finances are tight. But here’s the truth:

• Your mental health matters.

• Your emotional healing impacts your relationships, your work, and your faith.

• Investing in your growth is one of the most loving things you can do—not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.

If cost is a concern, ask about student counselors who offer reduced fees. Some churches even have funds to help members access therapy.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Christian counseling is one of the ways God provides that rest. It’s not a sign of failure—it’s an act of courage. A step toward healing.

So if your heart is heavy, if you’re tired of trying to hold it all together, I want you to know: there is hope. You don’t have to keep pretending everything is fine when it’s not. There are safe places, and people, and paths to healing.

Want to Talk to a Christian Counselor?

If you’re looking for someone to walk alongside you with compassion, clinical skill, and a Christ-centered approach, I’d be honored to connect. My practice offers online Christian counseling for women in Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, Nevada, and Florida.

I help women move from anxiety and overwhelm to peace, clarity, and deeper connection—with God, themselves, and the people they love.

Visit my Contact page to schedule your free consultation or learn more about how I can support you.

You don’t have to face this season alone. Let’s walk it together.