Why a Christian therapist?
When I first sought therapy decades ago, I was terrified. I knew I needed help, but I was scared to open up to a stranger. I was also afraid that in my vulnerable state, the therapist might influence me away from God. I wanted to work with someone who understood my faith as integral to my healing journey–better yet, someone who would help me draw closer to God and into a deeper understanding of His work in my life.
Perhaps you are seeking a Christian counselor for similar reasons. Perhaps you are wrestling with issues that impact your faith. Or maybe you want to be sure your healing is rooted in Biblical truth. These are all good reasons to seek Christian counseling.
What to look for in a Christian counselor
Here are five questions to consider as you choose the right Christian counselor for your needs–physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
1. Can I afford to see this counselor regularly?
For therapy to be effective, I advise clients to budget for weekly sessions. It’s hard to gain traction in making life changes when you are meeting less frequently. Our directory allows you to sort search results by fee and to filter by insurance to find an affordable choice for you. If you want to learn more about payment options, check out Mimi’s article here.
2. Does the therapist have training or experience treating my issue?
Mental health is a very broad field, and therapists frequently specialize to best serve clients. You can search our directory by keyword to find Christian counselors who focus on treating concerns similar to yours. See if the therapist mentions specialized training in areas important to you. If you’re confused by all the different letters behind therapists’ names, this article by Katina can help you figure out which kind of mental health provider you need.
3. Will this counselor integrate my faith into therapy in a way that fits my needs?
A good therapist should respect your faith regardless of their beliefs. However, sometimes people feel more comfortable working with a counselor whose beliefs are similar to theirs. If it’s important for you to find a Christian therapist with a similar theological orientation, try searching by keyword (such as Catholic, evangelical, progressive, etc.). It’s also OK to ask a counselor directly about how they integrate faith into therapy and to express your preferences to see if it’s a good fit for you both.
4. Is the therapist’s license in good standing?
Psychotherapy is an incredibly rewarding but also vulnerable process. Each U.S. state has licensing requirements to ensure that therapists have a basic level of competence in conducting therapy. Check the therapist’s license number and credential type with your state licensing board to verify that the therapist’s license is in good standing. In California, you can look up licenses through the Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are seeking therapy outside California, here is a great resource to help you look up a Christian counselor’s license by state.
5. Do I feel a safe and positive connection with this therapist?
Research has shown that one of the most important factors for effective therapy is a strong relationship with your therapist. This means that you feel safe with the counselor and sense that the counselor is responsive to your needs. If the therapist is a good fit, you should begin to sense some improvement within the first 3-4 sessions. God created us all different, and there is no one Christian therapist who is perfect for every client. What’s important isn’t that you find the most highly acclaimed therapist in the state, but that you find one who is right for you! Trust your gut. Talk to the Christian counselor to see whether you feel comfortable.
Don’t Give Up!
Sometimes it takes several tries before you find the right counselor for you. We ask Christian counselors in our directory to confirm their availability every month, so that it’s easy to find counselors who currently have openings in their caseloads. Our hope is that this will speed up the process of connecting you to a therapist who is a good fit for you.
As you take this brave step of seeking Christian counseling, may God guide you to the right therapist to join you on your healing journey. I trust that as you continue searching, you will find the help that you need!
About the Author
Joy Wong Liu, LMFT, is a Christian therapist in Berkeley, CA, with a focus on trauma recovery and marriage therapy. She shares a private practice with her husband Anthony Liu, LMFT, and co-leads a weekend marriage intensive with fellow Christian therapist Esther Wei, LMFT. Joy and Esther also co-author a weekly webtoon, FOR EVERS: A Manga Guide to Marriage.
[Photo Credit: Ann H]