Christian counseling combines your faith with the principles of psychology to improve your mental health and relationships, in collaboration and partnership with a Christian counselor or mental health professional. More specifically, this therapy approach uses scripture and biblical teachings to help you deal with life’s challenges.  

The goal of Christian counseling is to help you to identify thoughts and behaviors that are inconsistent with God’s teachings, so they can become more accepting of God’s will – even when it’s not their will.  All counselors and staff at Light Counseling believe that the bible is the ultimate guide on how people, especially Christians, should think and behave. In other words, scripture within the Holy Bible comes from the heart and mind of God and is a trusted source of all wisdom and truth for all humankind.  This wisdom and truths are used to help guide and inform us as we move out of darkness and into the light.  

Christian counseling has shown to be beneficial for Christians and those who have a strong Christian faith – although you don’t have to be religious or spiritual to benefit from this therapeutic counseling approach.  In fact, anyone, including the religious or non-religious, can benefit from Christian counseling.  

In addition, if you have a strong faith and belief in God, this type of therapy will most likely benefit you because it centers on biblical teachings. The hope is that by sharpening your knowledge of the Bible, strengthening your connection with God, and understanding God’s commandments, you will be able to turn your life around and conquer your problems. 

Christian counseling pulls from a variety of counseling methods – one of which is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). One of the main differences between Christian counseling and some of the more secular counseling approaches is that Christian counselors use a wide range of materials, tools, resources, and psychological techniques, including prayer, scripture, affirmation, bible study, or self-evaluation to help you combat your “demons” (problems). 

Contrary to most secular counselors and therapists, Christian counselors do not believe that secular counseling approaches adequately cover the range of issues a person may be experiencing. As a result, these counselors combine your spiritual health with your mental health. 

 In other words, Christian counseling focuses on your spiritual health, personal relationship with God, and the belief that, with therapy, personal problems, mental health issues, and emotional distress can be replaced with increased self-worth and spiritual fulfillment. 

 During the initial sessions, your Christian counselor will try to get a “feel” of who you are through structured intakes (interviews) and detailed conversations. Then, he/she will observe you, while you tell him/her about your problem(s) and how those problems make you “feel.” 

Next, your counselor may ask you what you would like to accomplish by the time you complete the therapy process. After that, you and your counselor will discuss your goals and develop steps to help you achieve them. And, lastly, you will either verbally agree to commit yourself 100% to the therapy process or you will sign a document affirming your commitment to treatment.