In recent years, there has been a large increase in interest when it comes to mental health treatment. People everywhere are realizing that mental health is not something to be easily dismissed, but rather something to be seriously considered and taken care of.

More people than ever are going to see counselors and getting the therapy that they have always needed. Individuals and families all over the World are caring about their mental health just as much as their physical health.

However, when one begins to seek out help in the mental health space and wants to go and see someone, one may wonder what kind of therapy will help them the best. Considering there are many different kinds of therapy and counseling out there, it can be difficult to know what might be a good fit for you or even what each of them is focused on.

One of these kinds of counseling that has increased in popularity over the past few decades is faith based Christian counseling. In order to help you see if Christian counseling is a good fit for you, we’re going to explain the different facets of Christian counseling so that you can understand what it is, how it works, and whether you should engage in it personally.

Christian Counseling vs Secular Therapy

Christian counseling is a form of counseling that is based on Christian practices and beliefs. Within counseling sessions, the Bible will be used often to derive truth from and to gain guidance on how the patient should move forward in their growth and healing.

Christian counseling is often done through local churches, but this is not always enough, and many individuals, couples and families seek counseling outside of the setting of a church. One of the drawbacks of Christian Counseling at your church is of course the lack of privacy and confidentiality. Also when it comes to issues of mental health its sometimes good to get a fresh, outside perspective.

While many Church based counselors are qualified and accredited one of the disadvantages of Christian counseling at your Church is that there is a risk the designated counselor you see may be unqualified, unaccredited and be someone who simply may have a gift for counseling and talk therapy. Oftentimes it will simply be assumed that a Church based Christian counselor is qualified but it may not always be the case so it is worth checking.

Christian counselors, as with all faith based and secular counselors should be accredited and qualified whether it be with a university degree in psychology, or a license through Christian counseling courses.

What Happens at Christian Counseling?

Many Christian counseling sessions follow a similar pattern. While the first session is usually different from the rest since it is the first time you are sitting down together, most sessions include a recap of how things have been going, looking at the Word of God together to discuss the present struggle, and assigning of homework that usually incorporates self-reflection and reading of the Bible.

Christian counseling is based on biblical truth and counselors often guide counselees through the Scriptures that pertain to whatever struggle they may be experiencing at the time. Since Christians believe that the Bible is God’s wisdom given to us, counselors use the Bible as a tool to gain wisdom so that the counselee can then live that wisdom out in their life. In doing so, Christian counselors believe that the acted-upon biblical truth will produce life, growth, and healing in the counselee’s life.

What is the Goal of Christian Counseling?

One thing that sets apart Christian counseling from other mainstream kinds of counseling is that Christian counselors do not see themselves as the primary caregiver or healer. Many mainstream counseling methods see the therapist or the counselor as the person who will heal the counselee or provide all the wisdom that the counselee needs to grow and thrive. However, within Christian counseling, the understanding is there that instead of the counselor being the healer, God steps into that position not only in the counseling room but in the counselee’s life in general.

The Bible teaches that God is the Creator of all things, including humanity. In fact, the Bible teaches that humans were created in the image of God from the very beginning. The Bible also teaches that God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and has immense love towards His people. Thus, Christians see God as being the best possible being to heal and take care of the people that walk into the counseling room.

Christian Counseling Scriptures

The Bible says in Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

This verse was a foretelling of the coming of Jesus Christ by Isaiah the Prophet and in this foretelling, Isaiah points out that Jesus will be the Wonderful Counselor. This also contributes to the belief that Christians have that God, including the person of Jesus Christ, is the ultimate counselor, and that through an encounter with Him and through gaining wisdom by the Word of God, people can be set free from their hurt and affliction and begin to grow and thrive once more.

After all, the Christian faith sees many of people’s problems as stemming from the heart and the sinful nature that we all have. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? ‘I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.’”

Since God is the wonderful counselor and the only one who can deal with and change the human heart, the ultimate goal of Christian counseling is to bring people into a real, genuine encounter with the living God so that God will heal them, restore them, and shape them to be who He created them to be. The Christian counselor is simply there as someone to lead the session in that direction, provide wisdom and understanding from the Bible, and facilitate the conversation.

Is Christian Counseling Right for Me?

In the world that we live in today, our culture is very naturalistic. What this means is that many people have lost all belief in the supernatural and instead have placed their faith and belief in science. Science dictates that as people, we are simply biology, chemistry, and physicality, while religions believe that people are so much more.

Christian counseling finds itself another unique attribute in this sense because within the world of Christianity, people are not only biology and chemistry. People are body, mind, and spirit, and Christian counseling seeks to remedy all three.

As previously mentioned, Bible teaches that all things flow from the heart. In this sense, the heart is like the soul or spirit of a person. It is their innermost being; their very core, if you will. Although many other therapies or counseling services would deal with the mind and the body, Christian counseling holds the belief that these services are dealing with symptoms rather than the root cause.

For example, if you go to the doctor for pain that you have in your lower right abdomen, you want the doctor to check you out and figure out where the pain is coming from. As many people know, lower right abdomen pain is often something like appendicitis, meaning the appendix needs to be removed. However, when you go to the doctor, the doctor hears you out, acknowledges your pain, and then simply prescribes you pain pills. This doctor is treating the symptom, but not the cause.

Christian counseling is all about dealing with the root cause. With the help of the Bible’s wisdom in diagnosing the human condition as well as the healing hand of God, Christian counseling seeks to get to the heart of your struggles to deal with the root cause, not merely the symptom.

Christian Counseling Express the Love of God

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

When you sit down with someone who knows the Word of God and can use it to unearth the root causes of the struggles that you are facing, the Word of God will do amazing work in your life. It is the only thing that can divide soul and spirit and discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

In this, Christian counseling sets itself apart by using divine and transcendent knowledge and wisdom to deal with earthly struggles that present themselves. Christian counseling will express the love of God to you while also revealing the healing hand of God through the counseling process. It truly is a unique experience and an amazing chance to grow and thrive by the power of God and His Word.

Get Started with Christian Counseling

We just want to urge you to get help if you need it or want it. Everyone can benefit from Christian counseling, regardless of where you are in your life. If you are interested in Christian counseling, look for places nearby that may offer it. Your local church may even offer counseling sessions but do check your counselors qualifications and accreditation.

Online Christian Counseling with Faithful Counseling

Online counseling and therapy platforms are on the rise. The ability to get help for mental health disorders on the Internet has changed the way people receive treatment. Faithful Counseling is one of the leaders in online mental healthcare treatment. The platform is dedicated to giving clients therapy from a Biblical perspective.

Faithful Counseling is ideal for anyone suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues that want God to be at the center of their recovery. If you want to improve your life from a Christian perspective, then Faithful Counseling will give you the help needed.

All of Faithful Counseling’s therapy plans are designed around Christian values. One of the aspects that makes Faithful popular amongst clients is the ability to alter the degree of religion used in treatment.

Faithful is a popular choice for individuals needing treatment for mental health problems. Here we will look at what makes Faithful Counseling so attractive to clients.

What is Faithful Counseling?

Faithful Counseling is an online therapy platform based on Christian values and beliefs. Clients seeking help with mental healthcare and wanting a Christian perspective will benefit from using the website. The program offers clients an alternative to face-to-face therapy which is costly and time-consuming.

It should be noted that Faithful Counseling is part of the Betterhelp network. Betterhelp is considered the industry leader in online mental health therapy. Faithful provides clients of Betterhelp with a Christian faith based option.

Clients can text, attend individually scheduled sessions, or undergo telephone therapy with a therapist. You can select the therapy that fits into your lifestyle. Therapy can be difficult for some people. Having options to speak to a therapist can make it easier to share information. This ultimately makes it easier for you to get treatment.

Rates are affordable compared to face-to-face sessions. The platform works to find all clients the perfect therapist after the sign-up process.

What does Online Faithful Counseling Offer Clients?

All therapists and counselors at Faithful are licensed. Each available therapist and counselor has been trained to help you with a wide variety of mental health care problems. The big difference between Faithful and other online therapy platforms is the religious perspective therapy sessions are based around.

Therapists can help you with several mental health issues including anxiety, relationship issues, addiction, parenting, depression, stress, eating disorders, and much more. There are even therapists available to speak to individuals about LGBTQ issues.

Therapists are trained as clinical social workers, marriage or family therapists, psychologists, and licensed professional counselors. Clients will communicate with clients via the platform’s messaging system. This allows them to keep up to date with all of your needs. Therapists will then have all the information needed for live sessions.

How does Faithful Counseling Offer Christian Therapy?

Therapy sessions are conducted via online live video sessions, telephone, or text. Sessions are very similar to Better Help, the parent service that provides Faithful Counseling. Therapy sessions are based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). You will undergo one of four different types of therapy.

You can choose from the private room, live chat, call, or video call. The private room format allows you to leave messages for your counselor to read, review, and reply to. Live chat gives you the chance to correspond with a counselor through text. This is similar to speaking with a customer service department in which you text back and forth with the therapist.

The platform also gives you the chance to speak to a counselor over the phone. This is a simple way to contact a counselor and share your thoughts. Perhaps the best way to speak with a therapist is by video call. This gives you the chance to see the therapist face-to-face and to speak about your mental health issues.

Who is Faithful Counseling for?

Faithful Counseling is for Christian individuals and families suffering from a myriad of mental health problems.

If you are suffering from one or more of the following issues, then contacting Faithful Counseling for a Biblical perspective on CBT may be ideal:

• Anxiety
• Relationship problems
• Parenting issues
• Alcohol and drug addiction
• Stress
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Trauma
• Sleep disorders
• LGBTQ matters
• Anger issues
• Grief
• Religion issues
• Family conflicts

Faithful Counseling Pros and Cons

Christian counseling by Faithful Counseling has received some feedback from users who have praised Faithful’s therapists for the help offered. Other clients have praised the support provided by therapists.

In addition to the help and support, users have praised the platform’s privacy. Therapy is a private process and many individuals want their information to be kept under lock and key. Faithful Counseling’s platform keeps its clients’ information private. You will remain anonymous throughout your counseling and all messages between counselors and clients are encrypted to keep them private.

The price of the online Christian Counseling service is far cheaper than attending a face-to-face meeting with a therapist. The price of therapy is between $30 and $80 a week on the Faithful platform and you will be billed every four weeks. You don’t have to sign-up for a membership or program.

The prices for Faithful Counseling are broken down into the following pathways:

• $80 per week billed every week: live session and unlimited messages for seven days.
• $65 per week billed every month: four weeks of unlimited messaging and weekly live therapy sessions for $260.
• $45 per week billed every quarter: three months of unlimited messaging and weekly live therapy sessions for $540.
• $35 per week billed every year: 12 months of unlimited messaging and weekly live therapy sessions for $1820.

Disadvantages of Faithful Counseling

Unfortunately, Faithful Counseling’s services are not covered by medical insurance. Like other online therapy platforms, clients cannot receive medication prescriptions. Faithful Counseling is best for individuals with mental health issues that don’t need medication for their symptoms.

Faithful Counseling does offer its clients on-demand therapy from licensed counselors. Prices are comparable to other online therapy platforms. However, what makes Faithful Counseling ideal for clients is its Christian-based perspective. Anyone seeking therapy with a degree of religion added to it will enjoy the platform.

Is Christian Counseling Only for Christians?

Contrary to popular belief, Christian counseling is not necessarily only for Christians. While yes, most people who go to Christian counseling have some connection to the Christian faith, you do not have to be a Christian to gain wisdom and guidance from Christian counseling. However, you should know going in that much of the guidance and wisdom is going to be based on Christian practices and beliefs.