What is Christian Counseling?

Comparing Biblical Counseling, Christian Counseling, and Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy

Do you ever get overwhelmed looking for a counselor, seeing all the titles, and not knowing what you need? I'm here to help.

We all have those moments in life when it feels like everything is just a bit too much. For many Christians, our faith can provide comfort and guidance during these times. Your relationship with God isn't something that just gets pulled out during hard times, but it is a big help during those times. And while God is our ultimate source of hope, strength, and comfort, sometimes we need more than we can get in our personal quiet time.

Prayer and reading the Bible alone can feel insufficient when facing challenges like anxiety, depression, or tough life transitions. We need each other! That's why God gave us the church! But sometimes we feel uncomfortable bringing very personal things to a small group, or like we need more time than our pastor, or women's pastor, can give. That's when some women start googling for "Christian counseling near me." But what does that really entail? And how does it differ from Biblical Counseling to Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy or Christian Counseling? Is there even a difference, and did you know those other things existed?

Sometimes, the many choices and nuances in wording can be very overwhelming and make you want to give up before you even start. This guide is designed to help you understand these key differences so you can choose the best approach for your faith and mental health journey.

What Is Christian Counseling?

Christian Counseling is an inclusive term that allows licensed counselors to provide support from a Christian perspective, even if they don't have specific additional training in this area. In these sessions, you'll find that licensed mental health professionals blend practical psychological tools with faith-based elements. This means you can expect to see effective strategies for dealing with things like anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, and everyday stress— all while incorporating prayer, Scripture, and spiritual practices into the conversation. It's a warm and holistic approach to healing and personal growth!

For a lot of women in North Carolina, Christian Counseling is a friendly and inviting place to dive into their feelings, nurture their spiritual growth, and get professional support that beautifully blends faith and psychology. The term Christian can make someone feel that Counseling is safe, but it also can be a place where those who have been hurt by the church can feel heard without abandoning their connection to Jesus.

The term Christian Counselor can be used by any therapist who identifies as a Christian or supports Christians. They can be from any denomination or background, and they don't need any specific certifications or training. Therefore, what a 'Christian Counselor' is varies greatly and is as personal as asking what a therapist is. This group is not necessarily aligned by anything other than Jesus. They use varying styles or techniques of treatment. You should ask your perspective therapist what modalities (CBT, Narrative, person-centered, etc.) they use, even if they are a Christian Counselor, as Christian is not a 'type' of therapy.

Who goes to a Christian counselor? Someone who wants Counseling from a psychological perspective but also wants the assurance that their faith will be respected and they won't be pushed to exchange their faith for science.

What Is Biblical Counseling?

Biblical Counseling is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Christian Counseling. Biblical Counseling is centered on the belief that the Bible is enough to guide us through all aspects of our lives. Many Biblical counselors rely solely on the Bible for wisdom and direction, often without integrating modern psychological approaches.

You'll often find that Biblical Counseling is offered through churches or ministries, and not every Biblical Counselor holds a professional state license. This approach is connected to organizations like the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC), which offers training and certification. This Association is loosely tied or has connections to the Southern Baptist Denomination, while not being exclusively Southern Baptist.

This might be a great fit for Christians looking for Counseling from someone primarily trained in the Bible from the ACBC perspective. To legally call oneself a 'Biblical Counselor,' one must have a certification from one of the few groups that own the copyright and ability to use that

term. If you wish to know more about what a Biblical counselor is, see this article by the ACAB (https://biblicalcounseling.com/resource-library/articles/issues-in-biblical-counseling-addressing-the-elephant-in-the-room/)

Who sees a 'Biblical Counselor'?

People all over the world seek Biblical Counseling when they want to be certain that the counselor is deeply rooted in Biblical and Theological roots, yet they may not be interested in Psychology, or concerned with State Licensure.

What Is Spiritually Integrated Counseling?

Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy takes a different perspective, welcoming and incorporating your unique spiritual background into Counseling. A Spiritually Integrated therapist works with clients to explore how their beliefs—whether Christian or from another faith tradition—can contribute to their healing, resilience, and sense of hope.

For Christians in NC, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy often combines evidence-based care with respect for prayer, Scripture, and your personal relationship with Christ. This option is especially beneficial for those who desire the expertise of a professional therapist along with faith integration. There are Continuing Education and classes for Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy, such as this residency from Wake Forest Baptist Health.

One key component of Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy is that it's inquisitive. The therapist seeks to know what you believe on any given subject. Often, we have a mix of beliefs that align and differ in many ways with those of our denomination, church, small group, or even friends. There are so many nuances to what a person believes and how we each live out our faith. Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) is distinctly personal! Find out more about SIP here.

Key Similarities Across Approaches

No matter what type of Counseling you pick, you'll find some great similarities among them:

- They all care for you as a whole person—heart, mind, and spirit!

- They recognize how important faith can be in your journey of healing and transformation.

- Every approach highlights hope, growth, and a sense of spiritual renewal.

All of these approaches can be helpful and are certainly not 'wrong' or 'bad.' They each offer something valuable, especially if you have a strong connection with your therapist.

Key Differences

These approaches are distinctly different, so I've outlined those differences here in summary for you:

- **Biblical Counseling:** Focuses solely on Scripture for guidance; often provided in church settings; may not always be led by licensed therapists, but instead is credentialed by an independent organization.

- **Christian Counseling:** Offered by licensed professionals who blend psychology with a respect for your Christian faith.

- **Spiritually Integrated Counseling:** Offered by licensed mental health professionals, and embraces diverse faiths, but for Christians, it brings biblical faith into professional, evidence-based therapy.

Choosing the Right Path for You

Finding the "right" type of Counseling really depends on your needs and what feels best for you:

- Are you looking for guidance that is strictly based on Scripture from a Southern Baptist perspective?

- Would you prefer a licensed professional who combines psychological methods with biblical teachings?

- Or do you want a more inclusive approach that embraces your faith alongside professional insight?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer here. The best path is one that helps you feel closer to healing, hope, and wholeness in your relationship with Christ.

Conclusion

Taking the step to seek Counseling is a brave act of faith—one that reflects your desire to grow closer to God while finding real support for life's challenges. Whether you go for biblical Counseling, Christian Counseling, or spiritually integrated Counseling, remember that you don't have to navigate this journey alone.

If you're a woman in North Carolina looking for Christian counseling, I would be truly honored to walk alongside you. Together, we can blend faith and psychology to help you discover peace, clarity, and renewed strength in Christ.