For many Christians, faith is part of how they make sense of hard seasons. So when anxiety, grief, depression or relationship struggles show up, it is natural to want support that leaves room for prayer, scripture and the beliefs that matter most.

That is what Christian counseling offers. But the term can mean different things depending on who is offering it, and it is not always clear what to expect. This guide explains what Christian counseling is, how it compares to other kinds of support, and how to know if it is the right fit for you.

What is Christian counseling?

Christian counseling is mental health support that includes the Christian faith when the client wants it included. In its strongest form, it is professional, evidence-based therapy with a licensed counselor who understands and respects your faith and can bring it into your sessions.

Faith might show up through:

• Prayer at the start or end of a session

• Scripture that speaks to what you are facing

• Conversations about purpose, identity, forgiveness and grace

• Connecting your goals in therapy with your values

• Space for spiritual questions, doubt or feeling distant from God

You decide how much faith is part of your sessions. Some people want it woven throughout. Others simply want a counselor who shares their worldview and will not dismiss it.

Christian counselor vs. therapist: what is the difference?

This is one of the most common questions people ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on the person's training. You will usually come across three kinds of faith-based support:

Pastoral counseling is offered by pastors or church leaders. It can be a real source of spiritual guidance and care, but most pastors are not trained or licensed to treat mental health conditions.

Biblical counseling draws mainly on scripture as the basis for guidance. Counselors may have church or ministry training, but many are not licensed mental health professionals.

Licensed Christian counseling is therapy with a licensed mental health professional who integrates faith into proven clinical approaches. This is the kind of Christian counseling we offer at Lartey Wellness Group.

The key question to ask any counselor is simple: are you licensed? A licensed counselor has clinical training, follows professional standards, can recognize and treat conditions like anxiety, depression and trauma, and can usually bill your insurance.

What Christian counseling can help with

Christian counseling can support you through the same concerns as any other therapy, with your faith as part of the conversation.

For individuals:

• Anxiety, worry and panic

• Depression and low mood

• Grief and loss

• Trauma and painful memories, including through EMDR therapy

• Stress, burnout and big life changes

• Spiritual struggles, doubt or church hurt

For couples: communication, conflict, rebuilding trust and Christian premarital counseling. Learn more about couples counseling.

For families: parent and teen conflict, blended family stress and communication breakdowns.

What happens in a Christian counseling session?

Your first session is a chance to get to know your counselor. They will ask about what brings you in, your history and your goals. They will also ask how you would like faith to be part of your sessions, so you can set the pace from the start.

Ongoing sessions usually last about 50 to 60 minutes. Your counselor will use proven approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), to help you understand what you are going through and build practical skills. Faith comes in where it helps, whether that is a verse that speaks to your situation, a prayer, or a conversation about where God fits into a hard season.

Over time, your counselor will check in on your progress and adjust the plan as you grow.

When faith itself feels complicated

Not everyone who looks for Christian counseling feels settled in their faith. Some people are walking through doubt, feel far from God, or have been hurt by a church community. A good Christian counselor makes room for all of that without judgment. You do not need to have it figured out to ask for support.

Does insurance cover Christian counseling?

When Christian counseling is provided by a licensed mental health professional, it is billed like any other therapy session. That means many insurance plans cover it, including Maryland Medicaid at practices that accept it.

Counseling from unlicensed providers, such as some pastoral or biblical counselors, is usually not covered by insurance. If cost matters to you, it is worth asking about licensing and insurance before your first appointment.

Is Christian counseling right for you?

Christian counseling may be a good fit if:

• Your faith is an important part of your life and you want it included in therapy

• You have felt hesitant about therapy because you worried your beliefs would be dismissed

• You want proven mental health care, not only spiritual guidance

• You are working through spiritual questions alongside other struggles

Questions to ask a potential counselor:

• Are you licensed in Maryland?

• How do you include faith in sessions?

• What approaches do you use?

• Do you accept my insurance or Medicaid?

• Do you offer online sessions?

Christian counseling in Laurel and online across Maryland

At Lartey Wellness Group, our licensed Christian counselors work with individuals, couples and families in person at our Laurel office and online anywhere in Maryland. We accept Maryland Medicaid and most insurance plans, and many clients pay little or nothing for sessions.

Learn more about Christian counseling at Lartey Wellness Group, or reach out to get started.

Request an appointment or call (800) 994-5403

If you are in crisis right now, call or text 988 for free, 24/7 support, or visit our crisis resources page.

Frequently asked questions