LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Faith-Based Counseling vs Professional Counseling and Psychotherapy
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
5/2022
Faith-Based Counseling vs Professional Counseling and Psychotherapy
What are the differences among faith-based counselors, professional counsellors, and
psychotherapists? There is not always an easy answer to this question since faith-based
counselors might also be licensed as professional counselors and/or psychotherapists
depending on their educational and clinical backgrounds, their approach to counseling, and
whether they have met licensing requirements within their state.
Faith-based counseling can refer to different practices dependent upon the counselor.
Faith-based counselors are commonly referred to as pastoral counselors, biblical counselors,
and specific faith-based counselors, therapists, psychotherapists, or psychologists (e.g.,
Christian psychologists, Jewish therapists, etc.)
A Biblical Counselor is one who has a background in understanding and interpreting sacred
texts within a particular religion. This counselor will use their understanding of these texts to
provide guidance and support to their clients from a biblical perspective.3
A Pastoral Counselor will tend to be a leader within a religious community (e.g., a rabbi, an
imam, a priest, and elder, etc.) who has completed a course of study specific to their religion –
which might include some courses on counseling.
In some cases, in addition to their religious training, a pastoral counselor will have also
completed a graduate level degree related to providing professional counseling (e.g., social
work, counseling psychology, marriage and family counseling), which would allow them to be
licenced to practice professional counselling or psychotherapy within their state. Pastoral
counselors tend to approach counseling from a religious/spiritual perspective.3
A specific faith-based (e.g., Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Hindu) Professional Counselor,
Psychotherapist, or Psychologist has completed extensive studies not only within their faith, but
also in a psychology-related field. These counsellors will be licensed to practice within their
state. They work to integrate both religious and psychological perspectives in a balanced way in
their work with clients.3
Common Types of Faith-Based Counseling Interventions
There are a number of common interventions that might be utilized within faith-based
counseling. Such interventions might include prayer or meditation, study of sacred texts, the
act of forgiveness, mindfulness, and sacred rituals.3
Prayer or Meditation
Prayer refers to a form of communication in which a person or group directly addresses a
spiritual entity for the purposes of requesting guidance, strength, or direct assistance with
issues, and/or to express gratitude and adoration. Meditation might also be a type of prayer,
depending on the focus of the meditation. Meditation involves consciously directing one’s
attention to focus and/or reflect on something specific (e.g., a word, a concept, nothingness,
the experience of the present moment) for the purposes of enlightenment, understanding,
spiritual connection, or insight.
Reading and Interpreting Religious Texts
Religious texts (e.g., the Christian Bbible, the Quran, the Tanakh) are studied to find
guidance and direction regarding a framework for how to live one’s life and perspectives on
meaning and purpose.
Forgiveness
Each religion has its own teachings regarding forgiveness, and what is expected of
followers. Asking for forgiveness from a spiritual entity and/or the person(s) one has wronged
might be deemed the appropriate course of action based on one’s religious and/or spiritual
beliefs and values. There might be specific steps one is expected to take regarding repentance
or making amends for the wrong one has committed. There might also be directives in terms of
forgiving others.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness refers to consciously focusing one’s attention on the moment, i.e., the here
and now. It is a foundational practice of Buddhism.5 Mindfulness is learning to notice and
accept what is, without judgement or trying to change it.
Sacred Rituals
Fasting, repentance/atonement, and smudging are examples of spiritual rituals that might
be used as interventions for the purposes of purification, healing, divination, and/or for
strengthening spiritual connection.
Faith-Based Counseling Examples
Case Example 1
A 17-year-old woman has made an appointment to see her Catholic high school cChaplain.
Her father is physically abusive to her and her mother. She is afraid because her father has
threatened to kill her if she tells anyone.
When the young woman meets with the chaplain, he starts with a prayer. She tells him
what has been happening. She also tells him that she has been praying for years that things will
get better at home, but they are only getting worse. She wonders if God hears her or cares
about her and her family. The chaplain reassures her that God cares, but that God has given
each person free will, and it is up to her parents to make changes. The chaplain offers her
empathetic support and reassurance. He also asks if he can bring in the school social worker, in
confidence, to discuss any community support options that would be available to her and her
family members.
Case Example 2
A married Jewish couple makes an appointment with a Jewish Professional Counselor. They
are struggling with their teenaged son. He has become angry and withdrawn. He is missing
school and spending his days sleeping. He only leaves his room occasionally to get something to
eat. They have tried to talk to him but he either becomes belligerent or he shuts down and
ignores them.
When the therapist meets with them, she starts the session with a prayer. She asks them
what their concerns are. She listens and asks some clarifying questions. She empathizes with
their concerns for their son and reflects back their love for him. She wonders aloud if their son
might be suffering from depression. The mother said she was wondering the same thing. The
therapist and parents come up with a two-pronged plan: 1) to obtain a psychological
assessment of the son; and 2) for the therapist to continue to provide support and guidance to
the parents as the family works through this.
Case Example 3
An elderly man, who is First Nations, makes an appointment with an Indigenous
Psychotherapist. The man has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and has been told he only
has a few months to live. He has been offered medically assisted death, which is legalized in his
state. He watched his father die an agonizing death from cancer. He is afraid to suffer like his
father did, and to put his family through such a death. He is unsure what to do.
The session begins with smudging and prayer. The man explains his situation and his
dilemma. The therapist listens and empathizes with him. They explore his fears around
suffering, based on what he saw his father go through. They discuss his spirituality and beliefs.
The therapist shares a sacred story, which talks about approaching death. They reflect on what
it means. At the end of the session, although the man has not made a decision regarding what
he will do, he said he will think about their talk before they meet again.
Cost of Faith-Based Counseling
The cost of faith counseling will depend on the credentials of the therapist and the setting
in which the service is offered. Within a religious community (e.g., congregation, school,
agency, hospital), counseling might be offered free of charge if the person is a member of the
community.
Health insurance might cover all or part of the cost of visits to specific practitioners (e.g.,
professional counselors, psychotherapists, social workers, psychologists). Typically, with health
insurance coverage, the cost to the client will be $20-$50 per session.
How to Find a Faith-Based Counselor
If you are a person of faith, your spiritual leader may be willing to give you counsel, and
would likely be able to point you to other resources or counselors with similar religious views. It
is important to be certain that you seek counsel from someone qualified, so be sure to ask
questions regarding their training and certification.
Who Is Able to Offer Faith-Based Counseling?
Faith-based counseling can be offered by:
Biblical Counselors
These individuals have studied religious texts and their interpretation and are
knowledgeable about spiritual and/or religious matters.2
Pastoral Counsellors
These individuals will have completed religious/spiritual training education and will often
have also completed a degree in a counseling-related field, with a clinical training component
(which meets state licensing requirements for mental health professionals). Note: Pastoral
counselors are only licensed in a few states at this time.13
Faith-Based Professional Counselors, Psychotherapists, Psychologists
These individuals will have completed educational and clinical programs which meet state
licensing requirements AND who identify as having a religious or spiritual approach to their
clinical work.3
Christian psychologists focus primarily on the underlying psychology of the Bible and other
Christian texts and use this to guide their clinical practice.3 Likewise, faith-based professional
counselors or psychotherapists have completed the education and training required for state
licensing, and integrate their faith and spirituality into their clinical practices.
One of the things you might want to be aware of is that biblical counselors and some
pastoral counselors will not be willing to work collaboratively with other mental health
professionals if they are of the belief that psychological theory and practice are inferior to, or in
opposition to, their religious teachings.3 Those faith-based counselors who have completed a
degree in a counseling or psychology related field however, are more likely to be willing to
collaborate with other mental health professionals.
Key Questions to Ask a Faith-Based Counselor or Therapist
What is your religious or spiritual training and education?
Do you also have counselor training and education? If so, what kind?
Do you have areas of specialization? If so, what are they? (e.g., marriage and family
counseling, depression, trauma, eating disorders)
What is your approach? (e.g., support, guidance, advice, counseling, therapy)
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
At your first appointment, your session with a faith-based counselor might include:
A prayer or other sacred ritual
Information about your counselor’s approach, your roles, administrative information
(regarding how crises are to be handled, fees, appointment cancelations etc.), and an
explanation of confidentiality and its limits.
A discussion about what brought you to counseling, what you would like to work on,
and what your goals are
A conversation about the role that spirituality and/or religion plays in your life.
