If you’re a Christian seeking support and guidance, you might prefer to get help from a practicing Christian counselor.
In this article, we’ll show you how to find the right Christian counselor for your needs—discussing some platforms and therapist directories that allow you to easily connect with a qualified Christian therapist.
Christian Counseling Near Me
Below, we’ve explained three of the best ways to find a Christian counselor, in your area or online.
1. BetterHelp
BetterHelp is an online mental‑health service that allows Christians to seek support grounded in their faith. The platform offers weekly therapy sessions with licensed therapists familiar with biblical principles.
When signing up, you’ll fill out a questionnaire, during which you can mention Christian denomination and the role of faith in your life. Then, you’ll be matched with a suitable counselor within one to two days.
You can speak with your counselor via video calls, phone conversations, or text messages, making the process of getting help flexible and convenient. Registration is a simple process, and takes about ten minutes.
Access to BetterHelp is charged based on a monthly subscription fee, and the cost may vary depending on your location and therapist availability. Financial aid is available for veterans, the disabled, and others experiencing financial hardship, and you can cancel or switch therapists at any time.
Unfortunately, the platform does not accept medical insurance or FSA/HSA payments.
It’s also worth knowing, BetterHelp serves adults seeking individual help. For teens or couples, you can use ReGain or Teen Counseling—other services operated by the same people behind BetterHelp—and request a Christian counselor during the matching process.
Overall, BetterHelp offers a convenient way to find a Christian therapist who understands your spiritual beliefs, but if you’re looking to speak with a counselor in-person, the next service on this list might be a better fit.
2. Christian Counselor Directory
If you want psychological support grounded in both professional methods and Christian values, the Christian Counselor Directory is an excellent starting point.
The directory lists licensed therapists, pastoral counselors, and Christian life coaches—allowing you to find support from someone who supports your faith playing a central role in the healing process.
Each therapist profile includes information about their specialization, qualifications, experience, and theological approach, helping you find the right support based on your psychological needs and spiritual beliefs.
Whether you are Catholic, Protestant, or a different Christian denomination, you should be able to find a counselor who shares your faith—although in smaller towns and cities, the choice of therapists available can be quite limited.
Ultimately, for in‑person counseling, the Christian Counselor Directory can be very helpful in allowing you to find licensed professionals near where you live.
However, this platform doesn’t verify listings or offer online consultations; it’s purely a counselor search tool. You must contact each specialist yourself to confirm their fees, terms, and session format.
3. Online‑Therapy.com
Online‑Therapy.com offers Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) treatments over the internet, provided by licensed therapists.
While this is not a Christian-specific service, you can easily request to match with a therapist who is a practicing Christian when signing up.
Once you’re matched, your therapist will respond to messages, comment on assignments, and conduct live individual therapy sessions (plan‑dependent). This therapy service typically involves text/video materials, workbooks, a journal, and regular communication with your therapist.
The process is structured to help you step by step with anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health challenges you might be facing.
Online‑Therapy.com is quite flexible, and suits those seeking a personalized Christian counseling approach without in‑person meetings.
Using this service, depending on where you live, you may be able to access counseling for a more affordable price, or connect with a Christian therapist who is a better match for you, compared to the professionals available in your local area.
The main downside to Online‑Therapy.com is, live sessions require you to subscribe to a premium subscription plan, which can be quite expensive—though you can cancel your subscription at any time, and it’s also easy to switch counselors with no questions asked, if you ever feel it’s not a good fit.
What you need to know
Finding a Christian counselor can feel challenging, especially if you’re on a limited budget, or if this is your first time seeking mental health support.
In this section, we’ll explain what you need to know to find a good Christian counselor or therapist for you.
Plus, we’ve also discussed how to get the most out of therapy, once you’re matched with a faith-based counselor.
Principles of Christian counseling
Christian counseling is based on faith in God, Scripture, and viewing the person as a unity of their body, soul, and spirit.
It is not merely therapy with a “religious twist,” but an approach where spiritual beliefs guide the healing process. As a result, faith-based mental health support can help you with emotional and life difficulties while strengthening your faith and resilience.
Here are some of the most important principles of Christian counseling:
- A holistic approach. Christian counselors view a person as both a spiritual and emotional being. For example, if someone struggles with anxiety, the therapist not only helps identify the root causes of the problem but also turns to biblical truths—such as from Philippians 4:6, the passage, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer…” helping you not only understand the issue but also find spiritual peace.
- The role of will and responsibility. Unlike approaches where the therapist takes a more directive stance, Christian counseling often emphasizes freedom of choice. For example, if the patient is struggling with addiction or destructive habits, the counselor can help them recognize the consequences of their actions, and make decisions in light of their faith. Free will is seen as a gift from God, and the goal is to help the person use it for good.
- Working in partnership with God. Many counselors involve prayer, reflection on Bible passages, and conversations about spiritual practices during therapy sessions. If a client is experiencing grief, the therapist may suggest turning to comforting psalms or remind them of God’s presence in suffering. This gives the process not only emotional support but also spiritual depth.
- Compassion and acceptance. In Christian counseling, great importance is placed on an atmosphere of trust and love for one’s neighbor—the therapist provides support rather than judgment. For instance, if a client feels guilt or shame over past actions, the session may include work on the theme of forgiveness—both from God and toward oneself.
Unlike secular forms of therapy, the Christian approach offers not only emotional relief but also a path to spiritual restoration.
People seek therapy with a variety of often complex needs—from crises of faith and family problems, to depression and trauma. Receiving counseling from a practicing Christian helps not only to overcome these struggles but also to grow stronger in spiritual life.
What to Expect from a Christian Counseling Session
If this is your first time seeing a Christian counselor, it can be helpful to understand how a typical session goes and what to expect.
At the beginning of the meeting, the counselor usually asks questions to better understand your situation, assess the nature of the problems you’re facing, and delve into your spiritual experience.
The information gathered will help to define therapy goals and create a plan moving forward. You can discuss any life difficulties with the specialist, from emotional stress to relationship challenges, and ask about the issues you’re working through in a spiritual context.
During the session, the counselor will listen carefully, provide support, and guide you towards improving your mental health.
With a qualified Christian counselor, their approach will be based not only on psychological methods but also on biblical principles. Prayer might be used, and Scripture and spiritual practices may be discussed.
Therapy sessions usually take place in a trusting and respectful atmosphere, where you get the chance to speak openly about your feelings without fear of judgment. The counselor doesn’t impose their opinions, but helps you find solutions based on your faith and life circumstances.
It’s also important to remember that Christian counseling is a process that takes time, and requires your active participation. Results won’t be immediate—instead, it’s a gradual journey, especially when dealing with complex problems, such as trauma.
Over time, you can build a trusting relationship with the therapist and become more aware of your inner strength.
How to Find a Christian Counselor Who Accepts Your Insurance
A common question when looking for a Christian counselor is whether your insurance will be accepted. In the US, the situation is not straightforward.
Some Christian counselors work within large clinics or private practices, so they do accept health insurance. However, not all insurance plans cover Christian counseling, because it is considered a specialized service.
Here are a few tips to help you find a counselor who accepts your insurance:
- Contact your insurance company directly and ask which types of therapy and specialists your plan covers.
- Use online directories and platforms that have filters for accepted insurance plans, such as ChristianCounselorDirectory.com.
- Reach out to the counselor or clinic and ask if they accept your insurance.
If you can’t find a Christian counselor who works with your insurance plan, many therapists offer flexible payment options and affordable rates without insurance, though there will be some extra effort involved to find these practitioners.
Online vs. In-Person Christian Counseling
Whether online or in-person counseling is best for you depends on your preferences, schedule, budget, and more.
- Online counseling allows you to connect with Christian counselors from anywhere, at a time that works for you, even if you’re busy with work or family responsibilities. It’s flexible and is often more affordable, however, it’s quite common that online counseling services won’t be covered under your health insurance plan.
- In-person sessions can provide a deeper personal connection, helping some people open up more quickly. However, they require extra travel time, and are typically only conducted during business hours, which can be a problem if you have a busy schedule.
Both options have their pros and cons. The main thing is to choose the type of therapy that feels most comfortable to you, allowing you to work on your issues most effectively.
How Much Does Christian Counseling Cost?
The cost of Christian counseling can vary widely depending on the session format, the counselor’s qualifications, and their location in the US.
Online services usually offer more affordable rates than in-person meetings because they can save on overheads such as office rent, while still allowing you to connect with qualified therapists.
On the other hand, prices for in-person counseling are often higher, especially if you’re aiming to find a professional with extensive experience providing faith-based counseling.
Some platforms, like BetterHelp, offer financial aid programs to help make therapy more affordable. For example, if you’re facing financial hardship, you can explain your situation when signing up, potentially making you eligible for a discount on your monthly subscription fee.
Conclusion
Christian counseling provides professional support rooted in faith and spiritual values. Today, using the platforms we mentioned above, it’s easier than ever to connect with a qualified Christian counselor who understands your beliefs, while providing effective support with your psychological issues.
Finding the right Christian counselor, whether online or in person, can be challenging, but using trusted platforms and having a clear idea of the type of therapist you’re looking for (such as their gender and Christian denomination) makes the process much easier.
If you’re still not sure how best to find a Christian therapist, leave us a comment below, and we’ll help out as soon as we can.
