Christian psychologists—that is, licensed clinicians who integrate their Christianity into their practice—will typically also make use of other therapeutic modalities, such as CBT, psychodynamic therapy, or trauma-informed therapy. While employing cognitive-behavioral techniques, for example, a Christian therapist may also encourage discussion of Christian values and the role they might play in addressing the client’s challenges, work through any questions or contradictions the client sees in their faith, or help them uncover strategies to better express their faith or integrate it into their daily life.
In some cases, therapist and client may directly discuss biblical verses or parables, or other aspects of Christian teachings. Clients who begin therapy with specific problems they hope to solve—such as a marital dispute or a parenting challenge—might receive guidance or advice that is based specifically on the teachings of the Bible. Client and therapist may not share the same denomination; however, any ethical therapist will respect the client’s religious beliefs without trying to change them (excluding beliefs that are harmful to the self or others). Similarly, ethical Christian psychologists will not attempt to proselytize or convince non-Christian clients to conform to their beliefs, although they may choose to mention their faith if it is relevant to a discussion.
Other kinds of Christian counseling, particularly those in which the practitioner is not a licensed therapist, may not follow a traditional therapeutic structure. Biblical counselors, in particular, are less likely to rely on evidence-based psychological techniques. Instead, they may encourage prayer, the reading or memorization of Bible verses, or other exclusively faith-based approaches to help clients resolve issues. Some biblical counselors believe that mental health or interpersonal problems are rooted in sin, and may approach a client’s challenges from that angle.
Integrating religion and spirituality with evidence-based therapeutic approaches is often thought to be beneficial for the client, as it allows them to bring their “whole self” into the therapy room and develop coping strategies that make sense for their personal beliefs. However, the efficacy of other kinds of Christian counseling can vary widely. While anecdotal evidence suggests that some people who seek biblical or pastoral counseling find the practice beneficial for their emotional and spiritual well-being, others report it to be less so. In some cases, clients who have bad experiences may become disillusioned with their faith.
