What to Know About Christian Counselling (Even If You’re Not Religious)
It feels like an age-old question by now: should spirituality and science mix? In the realm of psychotherapy and counselling, evidence is beginning to say yes. Blending psychotherapy techniques with Christianity offers a profound opportunity for healing, even for those who don’t identify as Christians (or even very spiritual) and studies show that religious or spiritual involvement improves mental health and can be useful for coping with trauma.
So, if you’ve been feeling drawn to a particular therapist or counselling practice who have called themselves Christian counsellors, but aren’t sure they’re the right fit for you since you don’t think of yourself as particularly religious or spiritual, you’re not the only one. More and more researchers and mental health professionals are realizing that integrating spiritual beliefs with psychological interventions can enhance therapeutic outcomes. In other words, a Christian therapist might be a surprisingly effective option if you’re looking for a therapist right now.
If you’ve been hesitating to book that consultation or first session with a Christian counsellor because you yourself aren’t a Christian, you just started thinking about your own spirituality for the first time, you’ve had poor experiences with Christians or church in the past, or you have only recently begun to think differently about the relationship psychological science and spirituality should have and aren’t sure how to move forward, this article will offer some thoughts to consider as you ask “is a spiritual, Christian approach to therapy right for me?”
You Have a Spiritual Personality
Just like everyone has different factors that make up their unique personality, people connect with God and sense an awareness of their spiritual selves in different ways. If you’ve only thought to look for one type of spirituality, or never really considered yourself “religious” enough to have any kind of spirituality, you may have missed some of the ways that you uniquely connect with an important part of yourself.
The book “Wired That Way” by Maria Littauer explains how different personality types often feel closest to God and what spiritual truths different people tend to gravitate toward based on the needs of their personality, and in “Sacred Pathways”, Gary Thomas details nine ways that people connect to God differently. Really quickly, read through the adapted list below (I’m paraphrasing Thomas’ framework) and see if you can see yourself in one or two of these pathway statements:
I feel most purposeful, alive, and connected to God and myself when I am…
alone in a quiet, reflective place without distractions or demands
advocating for justice and helping set something right again
expressing myself enthusiastically, through music, art, or dance, alone or with others
being a “village” for someone and taking care of them by meeting their practical needs
wrapping my mind around new concepts and taking in new perspectives and ideas
outside in nature admiring the world around me
with other people and connecting with them in meaningful ways
reading a book, some poetry, song lyrics, or other writing that moves me deeply
making something new, designing something beautiful, or working on something creative
Hopefully even that quick look at some of the different ways people experience spiritual thriving can help you think about your spiritual personality and the ways that a Christian therapist might be unexpectedly helpful as you explore this part of yourself.
Make An Intentional Choice
If you resonate with any of the descriptions of spiritual pathways I mentioned, or you’re feeling ready to explore the ways a Christian perspective might be beneficial in your experience of therapy, there are a few things it is helpful to keep in mind as you choose the right Christian therapist for you.
It is no secret that spiritual, religious, and Christian ideas have not always been used appropriately and spiritual abuse is a real and damaging dynamic. Your therapist should be able to acknowledge and respect any negative experiences you bring into a session when it comes to spirituality. You are always allowed to ask questions, set limits, or say no to an approach that doesn’t feel right. A healthy Christian therapist will respect your boundaries and be willing to hold their spiritual perspective at whatever distance you may need in the moment.
Evaluating your potential therapist’s experience, approaches, and qualifications is also important when looking to include a Christian perspective in your therapeutic toolbox. Look for licensed therapists with appropriate credentials, like RSW (Registered Social Worker), CCC (Canadian Certified Counsellor), or RMFT (Registered Marriage & Family Therapist), and don’t be afraid to ask questions during your inquiry or first session to find out how they approach integrating a faith-based perspective into therapy appropriately. It is crucial that any Christian therapist (that is, licensed clinicians who integrate their Christianity into their practice), do so while using ethical and evidence-based therapeutic approaches with their clients.
When you are curious about spiritual things or feeling drawn to explore Christianity more personally, finding a church or pastor you feel you can connect well with can be a huge help, but it is important to remember that there is a difference between the work that pastors do as they lead and care for the people in their church and community, and the work that counsellors do in a clinical setting as they help you untangle the ways that your spiritual experiences may be connected to other parts of your life, or approach a mental health challenge through an informed and spiritual perspective.
Conclusion
Choosing a therapist is a pretty personal decision, and it’s okay to take your time figuring out what feels like the right fit. Working with a Christian counsellor doesn’t mean you have to share their beliefs, attend church, or have everything (or anything) about spirituality figured out before you walk through the door. It simply means you have the option to explore your mental health in a space that recognizes the role meaning, values, and spiritual life can play in healing. Whether you’re deeply spiritual, cautious and curious, or still sorting out what you believe, the right therapist will meet you where you are and walk alongside you as you make sense of your story.
