- Has your light become dimmer over the years?
- Are you struggling to find your true path and calling?
- Do you wish for guidance from a trained professional who will understand and respect your number one priority is building a relationship with God?
If so, you are definitely not alone
More and more of our clients are looking for faith-based counseling that can heal the mind and the soul. They want to be able to not only discuss the issues they are having but also openly discuss God, the Bible, and their belief in the power of prayer.
And we are not the only counselors who have noticed that people prefer to seek guidance from those who support, rather than challenge their faith.
In fact, according to a nationwide survey by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), 83% of Americans believe their spiritual faith and religious beliefs are closely tied to their state of mental and emotional health.
Three-quarters have stated it’s important for them to work with a therapist who integrates values and beliefs into the counseling process. And more respondents said they would prefer to see a religious counselor (29%) than a psychiatrist (27%), psychologist (17%), or family doctor (13%).
Selecting the Right Faith-Based Counselor to Work With
Just as no two people are alike, no two faith-based counselors are alike either. They will differ on a few things:
- How much religious training (if any) they have had
- How much religion do they incorporate into their practice
- The populations they serve
- Their psychological expertise
Beyond this, some faith-based therapists aim to holistically integrate the mind, body, and spirit for people of all faiths, while others focus solely on applying religious text to modern-day problems instead of social sciences.
While we are all state-licensed mental health professionals who are well-trained in emotional counseling, and we are trained to help people heal on a spiritual level.
At the end of the day, you need to decide what is the most important qualification you wish your counselor to have. Some faith-based counselors do not have a state license for counseling.
It’s a good idea to do some research and find local faith-based counselors in your area. Get on the phone with them and ask some questions.
The most important thing is whether or not you feel comfortable talking with them.
In addition, here is some Faith-based recommended reading.
If you or someone you love is interested in exploring faith-based treatment, please be in touch with us. We would be happy to discuss how we may be able to help. In this practice, all faiths are welcome.