How to Find a Christian Counselor in Columbus, OH, Who Truly Aligns with Your Faith
A Guide for Christian Women Seeking Christ Centered Support That Honors Your Beliefs
In a world full of mixed messages, it can feel incredibly vulnerable to open up about your emotional pain—especially when you also care deeply about staying true to your faith. Maybe you’ve considered counseling before but worried, “Will this therapist understand my values? Will they respect my convictions?”
You’re not alone. I’ve heard this concern from so many women in Columbus and beyond who love the Lord but are quietly struggling—with anxiety, trauma, emotional overwhelm, ministry burnout, or marital strain. They want help, but not at the cost of compromising their faith.
Whether you’ve never tried therapy before or you’ve been burned by a previous experience, I want to help you find a Christian Counselor who truly aligns with your beliefs, values your story, and honors the God who is tender toward your pain.
Why Finding a Faith-Based Counselor Matters
Therapy is intimate. You’re not just talking about your to-do list or venting about your week. You’re opening the most tender parts of your heart, the parts of you that need to be honored and treated with reverence the most.
When your therapist shares your faith—and honors it deeply—they can hold space for spiritual questions and Biblical truth. They’ll understand why you care about God’s Word and your adherence to Christian values. They won’t push you to redefine your beliefs or gloss over Scripture. They’ll respect your convictions while guiding you toward healing, and aim to help your healing not only align with your faith, but also draw you closer to Christ while doing so.
Sadly, some women come to me after working with secular therapists who pathologized their Christian values or failed to understand their spiritual longings. Others saw so-called “Christian counselors” who offered spiritual clichés instead of trauma-informed care.
The truth is, not all Christian Counselors are alike—and not all secular therapists are dismissive of faith. But when you know what to look for, you can discern who is truly a good fit, giving you a better chance of finding a Christian Therapist who aligns with you, rather than participating in the never ending exhausting carousel of trying one counselor after another.
Common Concerns Christian Women Have About Counseling
You might be wrestling with thoughts like:
“Is it even okay for a Christian to go to therapy?”
“I should be able to pray my way through this, right?”
“What if the therapist encourages values I don’t agree with?”
“I’m afraid they’ll blame everything on my parents or my faith.”
These are honest fears, and they’re valid, especially with current therapy trends seen throughout social media. The good news is, therapy done well—and grounded in Christ—is not a betrayal of your faith. It’s actually becomes an extension of it, like another place to connect with Christ in your week, and a place to go deeper into a more intimate understanding of God’s love for you, plans for you, and discover discernment in your life.
Just like you’d go to a Christian doctor or financial advisor who shares your worldview, seeking a faith-aligned therapist is about wise stewardship of your emotional and spiritual well-being.
Therapy can help you uncover and process the unhealed wounds that may be impacting your relationship with God, others, and yourself. And yes, Christian Counseling can also include prayer, Scripture, and an invitation of the presence of the Holy Spirit—without shame or pressure.
How to Know If a Therapist Truly Aligns with Your Faith
Whether you’re looking for someone in-person in Columbus, Ohio, or online from anywhere in the state, here are some key traits to look for:
1. They openly identify as a Christian
Check their website or profile. Do they reference faith in a meaningful way—or is it just a checkbox? Do they speak your language when it comes to Scripture, spiritual wounds, or Christ-centered healing? Many counselors will offer Christian Counseling, but it isn’t their primary focus, and this comes through in the work you do together.
2. They invite Scripture and prayer—but never force it
A good Christian Counselor offers Biblical truth, but also respects where you are in your spiritual walk. They won’t weaponize Scripture or push prayer if you’re not ready. Christian Counselors who are worth their weight will meet you where you are Spiritually, acknowledge the wounds, and build from that spot forward.
3. They are trauma-informed
Faith is powerful, but it’s not a substitute for professional training. Look for someone who is licensed, experienced in trauma or anxiety care, and uses evidence-based modalities like EMDR, IFS, or somatic work. If they offer both trauma care and spiritual integration, that’s a beautiful sign. This means they have the psychology education, but the knowledge to understand that God ultimately guides the healing process.
4. They are Biblically aligned, not culturally swayed
In today’s climate, it’s important to find someone who doesn’t blur Biblical values with popular culture. You want a therapist who upholds God’s design for identity, marriage, and morality—not one who “Christianizes” the world’s solutions.
If you're looking for help discerning a biblically grounded provider, Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Directory is an excellent resource. This directory features licensed professionals across the country who are committed to integrating biblical truth into their clinical work. Each counselor listed undergoes a thorough screening process, including a detailed questionnaire designed to ensure their approach aligns with Scripture and Christian values.
Where to Look for a Christian Counselor in Columbus, OH
Columbus is a large and diverse city, rich in both secular and faith-based resources. But if you’re seeking someone who understands the unique blend of clinical expertise and Biblical conviction, here’s where to start:
1. Ask your local church
Many churches in the Columbus area keep a vetted list of Christian counselors. Try asking a pastor or women’s ministry leader if they have recommendations.
2. Check Christian Directories
In addition to Focus on the Family, websites like Psychology Today let you filter by “Christian” and location. Still, always review the therapist’s site to ensure their theology aligns with yours.
3. Consider Private-Pay Providers
Therapists who operate outside of the insurance system often have greater freedom to offer care that is deeply personalized, faith-integrated, and free from unnecessary clinical labels. That’s one reason I provide private-pay Christian therapy—to safeguard your privacy and create space for Christ-centered healing without the pressure of assigning a formal diagnosis. This approach not only honors your story but also helps prevent potential challenges related to employment, life insurance, or other areas where diagnostic codes can become limiting.
4. Explore Online Counseling
As a licensed provider in Ohio, I offer online Christian Counseling for Christian women across the state—including in Columbus. This allows you to access high-quality, with a Christ-centered approach without commuting or waiting on a referral list.
What to Expect During A Phone Consultation
Before beginning any counseling journey, it’s important that you feel a sense of safety, connection, and clarity. That’s why I offer a free phone consultation—so we can get to know one another before making any commitments. This isn’t a therapy session. It’s simply a conversation, a chance to breathe, ask questions, and see if this feels like the right fit for you.
During our call, we might talk about what’s been weighing on your heart—whether that’s anxiety, past trauma, ministry stress, parenting challenges, or simply a sense that something’s off. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as you feel comfortable.
We’ll also discuss your goals for therapy. Often, women don’t know exactly what they need—but they do know how they want to feel. Together, we’ll explore what healing or wholeness might look like for you, and how we’ll know when therapy has done its job.
You’ll have space to talk about any past counseling experiences—good or bad—and I’ll share how I integrate Christian faith, Scripture, prayer, and therapeutic tools like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, or EMDR Therapy into sessions.
This call is a no-pressure space. There’s no sales pitch, no obligation, no guilt. Just two people talking, with Christ at the center. I want you to feel seen, heard, and spiritually grounded in your decision—whether that means taking the next step with me or choosing another path that’s right for you.
Questions to Ask a Potential Counselor
You’re Allowed to Interview Your Christian Counselor—And You Should
Choosing a therapist is a deeply personal decision, especially when your faith is central to how you make sense of the world. You’re not being difficult or untrusting by asking questions—you’re being wise and discerning. Just like you wouldn’t hire a contractor without asking about their experience, it’s completely appropriate to interview your Christian counselor before sharing your heart.
Here are a few thoughtful questions you might ask to make sure the therapist truly aligns with your values:
“How do you incorporate faith into sessions?”
“What is your view of Scripture’s role in emotional healing?”
“How do you approach issues like trauma, anxiety, or identity from a Biblical lens?”
“What is your belief about God’s role in the healing process?”
“Are there any personal or theological values you hold that I should know about ahead of time?”
These aren’t trick questions—they’re protective ones. They help you discern whether the person sitting across from you online will help you move closer to God, or if you might walk away feeling more confused, spiritually invalidated, or even misled.
Unfortunately not every counselor who labels themselves “Christian” consistently integrates Biblical truth in practice. Some may blend secular ideologies in ways that conflict with Scripture. These questions help bring clarity.
A trustworthy Christian counselor won’t be offended by your discernment—they’ll welcome it. After all, therapy is most effective when it’s built on shared understanding, mutual respect, and a foundation of faith that holds firm—even when life feels like it’s falling apart.
Your spiritual well-being matters. Ask the hard questions. You’re worth that level of care.
What Christian Counseling Should Not Feel Like
Let’s name it clearly—just because a therapist is Christian doesn’t mean they’re healthy, wise, or helpful.
Some of the deepest confusion and pain I hear from clients comes from therapy that claimed to be a Christian Counselor but ended up being spiritually harmful. Maybe you’ve experienced that, too.
Christian therapy should never:
Shame you for your emotions or tell you they’re sinful
Dismiss deep trauma withBible verses
Ignore abuse, gaslight your experiences, or defend spiritual leaders who caused harm
Pressure you to “just pray more” as a way to avoid dealing with grief, anxiety, or trauma
Encourage you to abandon your core Biblical convictions in the name of “modern” psychology
If you’ve been hurt in a setting like this, I want to say this gently and clearly: I am so sorry. That’s not the heart of Christ. That is not what Christian counseling was ever meant to be.
Real, faith-rooted therapy should be a refuge—not another wound. It should feel safe, truthful, honoring to your story, and aligned with your faith.
Christian counseling done well reflects Jesus. It honors your dignity, respects your theology, invites emotional healing, and holds space for all the emotions. It tells the truth about suffering while reminding you that you are not alone in it. It pairs Scripture with skilled tools for emotional regulation, trauma recovery, and spiritual formation.
That’s the kind of Christian Counseling I offer. If that’s what your soul has been longing for, you’re not asking too much.
Why I Do This Work (And Who I Work With)
I’m a licensed Christian trauma therapist who specializes in working with women of faith—especially those carrying unresolved wounds from childhood, the church, or unhealthy relationships.
I serve women across Ohio, Michigan, Maryland, and Florida, and I’ve been honored to walk with countless women who felt stuck, spiritually exhausted, or unsure if healing was even possible.
If you're in Columbus, Ohio, you may feel overwhelmed by options—or discouraged by what you’ve tried before. I want to offer something different.
My practice is rooted in Biblical truth, nervous system healing, and soul-level restoration. I use tools like:
Mind-body integration (especially for anxiety)
Christian discernment to help you reconnect with God—not just feel better
You don’t have to perform here. You don’t have to hide your doubts. You get to be a whole person, loved by a whole God, taking whole steps toward healing.
Encouragement for the Woman Who’s Searching
If you’ve read this far, there’s probably a part of you that’s been hurting quietly for a long time.
Maybe you’ve kept yourself busy so you wouldn’t have to feel it. Or perhaps you’ve spiritualized your pain—telling yourself it was selfish, or even unfaithful, to revisit the past and name the trauma you've carried.
You are allowed to heal. You’re allowed to take your mental health seriously without betraying your faith. You’re allowed to seek support that’s Biblical, not worldly—compassionate, not performative. You’re allowed to want more.
Healing doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re brave enough to say, “God, I want to be made whole.” I’ve been at this Christian counseling thing long enough to know-He’s ready to meet you there. Ready to bless you. Ready to step into this journey with you.
You don’t have to figure everything out today. Start with one step:
Pray for clarity.
Journal your thoughts, feelings, actions
Explore websites.
If that next step feels like reaching out to me, I’d be honored to connect. Whether we work together or not, I want you to know that healing is available. You are not beyond restoration. God is not finished with your story.
