Faith-Based Counseling: Finding Solace In Spirituality

Faith-based counseling is a form of therapy that incorporates spiritual and religious elements. It is available in almost every faith variety and can be tailored to the individual's needs, beliefs, and values. Counselors may incorporate secular principles of psychology into their work to varying degrees, depending on their education and skill set. Faith-based counseling can be beneficial for those who want to lean into their values to make decisions, find purpose and meaning in life, and deepen their faith. It may also help those experiencing a crisis of faith or questioning their purpose in life.

Collaborating with religious leaders

Faith-based counselling is available in almost every religious tradition, and it can be a powerful tool for those who are experiencing a crisis of faith or questioning their purpose in life. Collaborating with religious leaders is an important way to make clients of faith more comfortable with counselling.

Robert Brammer, an American Counselling Association member, suggests that counsellors should be open to working with religious leaders, such as pastors or rabbis, to help clients of faith feel more comfortable with counselling. He notes that clients who hold strong religious beliefs are much more open to counselling when referred by a religious leader. This collaboration also makes the process more holistic for the client. However, it is important for the counsellor and the religious leader to clearly define their roles before beginning this partnership.

LaVerne Hanes Stevens, an ordained Protestant minister and employee of Chestnut Health Systems, provides an example of successful collaboration with religious leaders. Stevens initiated outreach with faith-based organizations in the community, including regular meetings with inner-city clergy members of all faiths. These meetings helped build trust and collaboration between the counselling service and the religious leaders, with the shared goal of supporting individuals struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues. Stevens was also enlisted as a consultant for a local church's substance abuse program and was invited to be the keynote speaker at their annual Recovery Month celebration, demonstrating the positive outcomes that can arise from collaboration between counsellors and religious leaders.

When collaborating with religious leaders, it is essential to respect the client's religious beliefs and ensure that the counselling process aligns with their values. This may involve incorporating religious texts, rituals, or prayers into the counselling sessions. Additionally, counsellors should be mindful of the potential benefits and harms of integrating faith into the counselling process and seek additional training or guidance if needed.

By collaborating with religious leaders, counsellors can create a safe and welcoming space for clients of faith, helping them feel understood and supported throughout their journey towards healing and self-discovery.

Understanding the client's religious background

Faith-based counselling is available in almost every religious tradition, and it can be a very personal and effective way to help people through crises. Counsellors who practice faith-based therapy may do so because they adhere to religious principles in their own lives, feel they have a religious calling to help others, or believe that those experiencing distress can benefit from the help of God and spiritual teachings.

Faith-based counselling is of particular interest to those for whom religion plays an important role in everyday life, but it may also benefit those experiencing a crisis of faith or questioning their purpose in life. Faith-based counsellors are often familiar with the types of struggles individuals may have related to faith, family and other relationships, sexuality, and all other aspects of life. Their own faith background may provide a welcome sense of safety for clients, assuring them of a shared worldview and values.

When understanding a client's religious background, it is important to remember that the counsellor's faith does not have to match the client's for therapy to be effective. However, it is crucial to respect the client's faith and not try to change their beliefs. Counsellors should also be aware of their own religious and spiritual beliefs and how these might impact therapy. It is beneficial to explore one's own religious and spiritual identity, perhaps through courses in multicultural and faith-based counselling, as well as self-discovery and self-awareness practices.

To understand a client's religious background, counsellors can ask open-ended questions about their faith and how they would like to incorporate it into therapy. It is also important to ask about the client's goals for therapy and whether they would like their faith to be a part of it. Counsellors can also ask about the role religion plays in the client's everyday life and how it might be connected to their mental health. For example, is their faith a source of comfort and community, or is it a source of conflict and distress? Understanding the role and significance of religion in a client's life is essential for providing effective and respectful therapy.

Exploring the client's faith-related struggles

Faith-based counseling is a form of therapy that incorporates spiritual or religious elements. It is available in almost every religious tradition and can be tailored to individual needs, spiritual beliefs, and values. Counselors may differ in how much they incorporate secular principles into their work, but the shared worldview and values can provide a sense of safety for clients.

When exploring a client's faith-related struggles, it is important to understand the role that religion plays in their life. For some, it may be a source of comfort and guidance, while for others, it may be a source of conflict or uncertainty. Here are some areas that faith-based counselors typically address when helping clients through their faith-related struggles:

• Understanding Suffering and Challenges: Clients may struggle to reconcile their faith with the presence of suffering or challenges in their lives. Counselors can help them make sense of these difficulties and find meaning or purpose.
• Deepening Faith and Coping Skills: Counselors can teach clients how to use spiritual or religious interventions to strengthen their faith and improve their ability to cope with life's difficulties.
• Guidance in Decision-Making: Faith-based counselors can help clients identify religious or spiritual values that can guide their choices and life decisions.
• Forgiveness and Reconciliation: Exploring concepts of forgiveness, both in a religious context and in interpersonal relationships, can be an important aspect of faith-based counseling.
• Connection with a Religious Community: Counselors can help clients connect or reconnect with a faith community, providing a sense of belonging and support.
• Crisis of Faith: Some individuals may experience doubt or question their religious beliefs. Counselors can provide a safe space to explore these doubts and work through their crisis of faith.
• Interpersonal and Family Relationships: Faith-based counseling can address conflicts and challenges within relationships, encouraging clients to examine themselves and their lives through the lens of their religious values.
• Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing: Counselors can support clients in managing emotional difficulties and personal challenges, incorporating spiritual practices such as prayer or meditation to enhance their overall wellbeing.

It is important to note that faith-based counseling should not be seen as a replacement for professional mental health treatment. While it can provide support and guidance, individuals experiencing severe mental health issues or crises should seek additional professional help.

Using faith-based interventions

Faith-based interventions are a form of counselling or psychotherapy that incorporates spiritual or religious elements. This can include prayer or meditation, the study of sacred texts, mindfulness, sacred rituals, and forgiveness. These interventions are used to help individuals make sense of suffering and challenges in life, deepen their faith, increase their coping skills, find purpose and meaning, and improve decision-making.

Types of Faith-Based Counselling

Faith-based counselling is available in almost every religious tradition and can take many forms depending on individual needs, spiritual beliefs, and values.

Pastoral Counselling

Pastoral counselling is provided by religious leaders such as priests, rabbis, imams, or gurus. They may have varying levels of counselling training, ranging from a few courses to dual degrees in religious studies and counselling. Pastoral counsellors typically work in religious settings and are not required to be licensed by the state.

Biblical Counselling

Biblical counselling is more common among conservative Christian religions. Biblical counsellors believe that knowledge of the Bible is necessary and sufficient for providing guidance and support to fellow Christians. They may have studied at seminaries or through counselling training programs offered by religious organizations.

Faith-Based Psychology

Faith-based psychologists or psychotherapists are licensed professionals who integrate spirituality or religion into their clinical practice. They have completed doctoral-level or master's studies and are licensed to provide mental health services within their state. This group includes Christian psychologists, who focus on the underlying psychology of Christian texts, and specific faith-based professionals such as Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu therapists.

Benefits of Faith-Based Counselling

Faith-based counselling can be beneficial for individuals who find solace in spiritual practices and want their therapist to share their religious beliefs. It can help individuals lean into their values, make sense of suffering, set priorities, and find purpose and meaning in their lives. It may be especially helpful for those experiencing marital difficulties, family problems, prolonged grief, substance use issues, or a crisis of faith.

Additionally, faith-based counselling can provide a sense of safety and assurance of shared values and worldview between the counsellor and the client. It can help individuals feel more comfortable disclosing troubling thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Considerations and Limitations

While faith-based counselling can be beneficial for some, it may not be suitable for everyone. It is important to consider the scope of practice and licensing of faith-based counsellors, especially for individuals with severe mental health concerns or complex conditions such as PTSD or OCD.

Furthermore, certain faith-based platforms and practices may not be affirming of the LGBTQIA+ community, and individuals from this community may experience further stigmatization or harm. It is crucial to consult the provider's statement of faith and code of ethics to ensure they are competent and affirming of diverse identities.

Examples of Faith-Based Counselling in Practice

• A 17-year-old woman seeks help from her Catholic high school chaplain due to an abusive father. The chaplain starts with a prayer, offers empathetic support, and reassures her that God cares. He also offers to bring in a school social worker to discuss community support options.
• A married Jewish couple meets with a Jewish professional counsellor regarding their teenage son's anger and withdrawal. The therapist starts the session with a prayer, listens to their concerns, and reflects on their love for their son. She suggests a two-pronged plan involving a psychological assessment for the son and continued support and guidance for the parents.
• A man diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and facing end-of-life decisions meets with an Indigenous psychotherapist. The session begins with smudging and prayer, and they explore the man's fears, spirituality, and beliefs. The therapist shares a sacred story about approaching death, which provides reflection and meaning.

Effectiveness of Faith-Based Counselling

While there is a scarcity of research specifically on faith-based counselling, existing studies suggest that spirituality and religiosity are associated with improved quality of life, faster remission from depression, enhanced coping abilities, and an increased sense of purpose and meaning. Faith-based counselling has been found to reduce anxiety symptoms, decrease stress, alcoholism, and depression, and increase well-being.

Finding a Faith-Based Counsellor

When choosing a faith-based counsellor, it is important to consider their religious or spiritual training, counselling education, areas of specialization, and their specific approach. It is also crucial to ensure that the counsellor is qualified and licensed, especially if you are seeking support for mental health concerns.

Resources such as online directories, therapist matching services, and recommendations from spiritual leaders can help individuals find a suitable faith-based counsellor.

Finding a good faith transition counsellor

Faith-based counselling is available for almost every religious tradition, and can be a good option for those who feel most comfortable seeking help within a religious framework. It can be particularly beneficial for those who are experiencing a crisis of faith or questioning their purpose in life.

When looking for a good faith transition counsellor, it is important to consider the following:

Spiritual Questions

Asking spiritual questions can help determine if a potential counsellor's outlook on life is compatible with yours. For example:

• Are you a Christian?
• How does being a Christian impact your counselling? Do you pray with clients? Do you reference Scripture?
• Are you trained to interpret sacred texts within a particular religion?
• How do you integrate biblical and psychological principles?
• Do you filter all treatment through the lens of Scripture?
• Do you follow the Holy Spirit's guidance?

Professional Questions

The credentials of mental health professionals and their ethical codes can vary, so it is important to ask about their qualifications and experience. For example:

• What are your degrees and major fields of study?
• Are you state-licensed? What license do you currently hold?
• Are you trained or specialised in certain areas?
• How many clients have you treated with my type of challenges?
• How do you define successful treatment?
• What theoretical approaches do you follow in therapy?
• Have you ever been in therapy?

Practical Questions

Finally, there are some practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing a counsellor. For instance:

• What is your hourly rate? Are your services typically reimbursed by insurance?
• How often should we meet?
• What are your office hours and location? Do you offer remote appointments?
• Do they put me at ease and make me feel comfortable?
• Do they ask questions to learn more about me?
• Do they listen to what I say?
• Do I trust them?

Frequently asked questions