Online Christian Counseling: Everything You Need to Know

What Is Christian Counseling?

Known as biblical counseling, it is an approach to psychotherapy that involves combining psychology principles and faith. Here, the online therapist will often use scripture and teachings to help patients through their challenges during counseling meetings.

Here, online Christian therapists use the Bible as the ultimate guide for life. So, their main aim is to help fellow Christians to Identify and manage behaviors that don’t concur with biblical teachings. These counseling professionals have to apply biblical teachings while observing the APA (American Psychological Association) guidelines.

Online Christian counselors have the task of managing a variety of issues. These might range from simple attitude and behavioral adjustments from how work can be stressful to mental illness.

There are some things to expect with Christian counseling. One, counselors believe that spiritual and mental health go hand in hand. The counseling experts will often use tools such as prayer and scriptures during sessions. They will also assign homework to clients. Christian therapy goes beyond your immediate concerns and offers. Sessions will often be characterized with:

• Education on family and the needed support
• Teachings on how to handle yourself in challenging times
• Providing guidance in making tough decisions
• Offering preparations for ceremonies such as weddings or funerals

Christian counselors are tasked with providing necessary advice and encouragement. They also help restore faith for individuals and help them build better relationships with God.

Is Christian Counseling Right for Me?

How do you know if Christian Therapy is the right fit for you? First, Christian counseling is not exclusively for Christians. That is a common misconception that floats around. Individuals tend to be intimidated and feel they need to be hardcore Christians.

However, it should not be the case since no one lives a perfect life. However, as a Christian, you stand to gain advice from a professional that resonates with biblical teachings. Furthermore, there is always the option of not incorporating biblical teachings into the sessions for different religions.

You know choosing an online therapist is for you if you value the convenience it offers. These include; easy accessibility, flexible scheduling, and no need to travel. Finally, it all comes down to your preference. Some individuals will prefer to address neutral therapists, while others will prefer an online Christian psychologist.

The best way to determine if Christian therapy suits you individually is by testing it out and seeing whether it works. It’s common for many top therapist sites to offer a free trial period for new clients. Within that period, you would assess whether you are comfortable with the services or whether you prefer traditional sessions better.

Is Christian Counseling Really Effective?

Yes, it does. Online Christian counselors are professionals like any other therapists with similar qualifications. So, the treatment they administer online is as effective as any non-religious online counseling. Christian counselors don’t have to include their faith teaching into the sessions unless the client explicitly seeks out a Christian counselor.

Studies have shown that many people appreciate counseling specialists who have religious affiliations as compared to atheists. Some people might then be skeptical about online teletherapy and whether it could be as effective as regular face-to-face sessions.

Online teletherapy works for many individuals and has helped thousands deal with their issues. There is no difference in treatment except for the proximity of the parties. Face to face treatment tends to be more close and personal, but online treatment offers more flexibility.

How Much Does Christian Counseling Cost?

Christian psychotherapy services vary in terms of costs per session. It is because different websites use different pricing models. Some use a subscription model while others work with a payment per hour model.

Online counseling prices also vary according to your therapist’s qualifications, where more experience means having to pay a higher cost. As compared to in-person sessions, online Christian therapy is always significantly cheaper. For example, in-person treatment averages between $60 and 175$ per hour, depending on the counseling specialist. In some states, the price goes even higher. With online teletherapy, a client expects costs ranging from $32 to about $175 weekly, making online Christian counseling more cost-effective.

How to Find a Good Christian Counselor?

Finding the right choice of an online counselor also requires a client to follow specific steps. First, pray and seek God’s wisdom about the right Christian counselor. Then, you should seek counsel from your church. Various church leaders are likely to have some insight regarding the right choice of a counselor. Seeking their input is beneficial since they might have some recommendations for you.

If you are non-Christian, you can seek the counsel of Christian friends or colleagues in your company. They’ll then recommend church leaders to help you. You should also seek outside input whenever necessary. For those who don’t belong to a particular church, you can look beyond the local church of believers.

You can even use the internet as a tool to provide recommendations for prospective candidates that you can assess until you find the right fit. The right choice of counselor should also come down to someone you are comfortable talking to. You should trust them with the truth if they are to help you deal with challenges.

The success of any form of therapy rests on an individual finding the right person to guide them. When searching for a good counselor, here are some attributes to pay attention to.

They Should Be Full of Love

As Christian, they should be ready to carry others’ burdens and care for people, especially during difficult times.

Should Be Practicing Christianity

Your counselor should be full of faith since Christian counseling involves using spiritual resources. Faith fills them with hope in helping troubled patients work through their challenges.

Modesty

Counselors should possess humility if they are to guide people out of their vulnerabilities. They should not be in a position to judge but provide useful advice.

Empathetic

Counselors should be compassionate since they are being exposed to the real selves of the clients. They should always seek to find the good while accepting the bad. Being compassionate ensures that a counselor will do everything they can to help broken people even at their worst.