LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
The Difference between Giving Up and Letting Go
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (Ed. D) Department of Christian Leadership and
Church Ministries
By
Mary Gracias
Lynchburg, Virginia
10/2022
Online Christian Counseling: Faith-Based Guidance
Online counseling, otherwise known as e-counseling, is an effective alternative to in-person
counseling. In the traditional in-person therapy setting, you meet with your therapist at the
local therapy office. In online counseling, however, you can meet with your therapist from
wherever you choose—your home, your office, or any other space you find suitable.
If you’re looking for Christian Counseling, consider working with online Christian
counselors. These professionals can provide you with help and guidance that is fueled by the
Christian faith, over video or phone. All you need to get started with Online Christian
Counseling is access to a telephone, a computer, or another device and a reliable internet
connection. Then, you can choose where you’d like to hop on your call or into your
videoconference for your appointment.
Christian online counseling allows you to enjoy convenience and comfort, as you work with
your online Christian counselor through the mental health challenges or life issues that stand
before you.
Christian Counseling: What Is It?
Christian Counseling is a form of faith-based counseling that utilizes psychological and
spiritual techniques to guide and support. Often, Christian therapists incorporate prayer and
scripture reading into Christian Counseling to help practicing Christians overcome their trials.
The exact focus of treatment will vary from person to person, as it is based on one’s specific
challenges, goals, and needs.
If you decide to pursue online Christian counseling, your online Christian counselor will
discuss Christian values and relate them to your unique struggles. You can expect to discuss the
following in your Christian Counseling sessions:
Your Christian identity and relationship with God
What the bible says about your current challenges
How you can overcome your struggles in a way that aligns with your faith
How to channel your religion in a way that helps you heal
Core Christian beliefs focus on themes of hope and healing through one’s faith. It’s
important to remember your faith when you are struggling, as it has helped you overcome
many trials and tribulations before—remember this power and importance of your Christian
faith. Your Christian counselor will help you accomplish this, and they can do so in the
traditional therapy setting or in Online Christian Counseling.
How Does Online Christian Counseling Work?
Online Christian counseling means working with your counselor virtually. Here at
Thriveworks, we have two main online counseling options: video counseling and telephone
counseling. You are able to work with online Christian counselors via either medium. Here’s
how they both work:
1. Online Christian Counseling by Video: Video counseling is a popular online counseling
service, as it still allows the client to meet with their counselor face-to-face, just more
comfortably and conveniently. If you decided to work with your counselor by video, you’d
simply join a videoconference using a secure link provided by your counselor.
2. Online Christian Counseling by Phone: Phone counseling is another popular (as well as
effective) online counseling option. You might prefer this option if you don’t care for the face-
to-face interaction. If you do decide to pursue Online Christian Counseling by phone, you would
simply answer your Christian counselor’s phone call at the time of your session.
As we mentioned earlier, you need only access to a device and reliable internet connection
(or cell service) to begin Online Christian Counseling. If you feel intimidated by the online
approach, don’t be! It’s simple. And if you do have trouble connecting with your counselor by
video, they’ll have your phone number as a backup plan. That way, if you do have trouble
joining your video session or experience unforeseen technical problems, you’ll be covered.
How Can Christian Online Counseling Benefit Me?
A major obstacle for Christians looking for mental health services is their fear of stigma or
judgment. It’s important that you recognize that mental health help is vital to our wellbeing and
is not meant to downplay the importance or power of the Christian faith. In fact, Christian
Counseling weaves the two together to give you the best possible guidance and support during
your sufferings. Therefore, Christian Counseling is for any individual who identifies as a
Christian and looking for this spiritual spin on counseling.
Many of us are guilty of trying to work through our challenges alone. We worry that we’ll
be seen as weak if we do reach out for help, that we will burden others, or that we will be doing
our faith a disservice. All of these worries (while warranted) couldn’t be more false. To correct
them: asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness; it does not burden others but relieves
our own burden; and it only strengthens and empowers our Christian faith. So, if you are
struggling with one of the following problems, consider receiving help in Online Christian
Counseling:
Grieving the loss of a loved one
Depression, anxiety, or another mental health condition
Low self-esteem
Loneliness and isolation
Lack of fulfillment, personally or professionally
Forgiving another individual or yourself
Feeling a spiritual void
Managing anger and other emotions
Your Christian faith has a huge impact and influence over every aspect of your life. There’s
no reason it shouldn’t be included in your counseling experience. And working with a Christian
counselor online might prove to be the most convenient or beneficial way to do so.
4 Reasons to Try Online Christian Counseling
If you’ve never received or considered working with a counselor online, you might be
wondering how it could benefit you and whether it’s the right counseling option for you. This is
a personal decision and journey—you won’t know until you try it! However, we can better help
you make an informed decision by explaining 4 reasons people try Christian online counseling:
1. It’s a convenient option: Online Christian counseling is a convenient option in every
way. Unfortunately, many people spend more time traveling to and from their
appointment than in their actual sessions. With online counseling, however, the
opposite is true. You don’t have to spend any time traveling to or from your
appointment, as you can attend from home, from your office, or wherever else is
convenient for you. Online Christian Counseling allows you to save time and attend your
session comfortably.
2. It’s proven to be effective: Some people worry that online counseling isn’t as effective
or valuable as traditional in-person counseling. The truth, though, is that online
counseling proves just as effective! Many studies and surveys have been conducted,
which continue to show that people enjoy and benefit from online counseling just as
much as in-person counseling. So, if Online Christian Counseling sounds appealing, don’t
let this fear stop you.
3. It’s affordable (and your insurance will probably cover it): Another reason people try
Online Christian Counseling is it’s affordable! As of now, most insurance companies pay
for online counseling by video, and many also cover online counseling by phone. So, if
you’re interested in Online Christian Counseling, know that it’s an affordable counseling
option, too.
4. It’s a fast and flexible scheduling process: Finally, scheduling Online Christian
Counseling is often faster and more flexible. You don’t have to worry about waiting for a
callback or even waiting weeks/months to meet your counselor.
