Christian counseling: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What christian counseling is

Christian counseling is a set of sessions with a counselor who addresses personal or relationship concerns and, if you want, brings faith and scripture into the conversation. Some counselors are licensed clinicians; others are pastoral and not licensed. If you or someone you know is in crisis or in danger, contact local emergency services instead of waiting for an appointment.

Signs you need it

  • You want counseling that respects your faith
  • Personal or family concerns are affecting your daily life or marriage
  • You want to talk about guilt, forgiveness or purpose with faith in view
  • A pastor or church has suggested counseling
  • You want faith included in the process but not to replace professional help

What the pro does

  • An intake where you describe your concerns and how much faith you want in sessions
  • Agreeing on goals and the role of prayer or scripture, if any
  • Sessions of talk-based work, with your faith considered as you choose
  • Practical tools for communication, coping and decisions
  • Review of progress and next steps

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether the counselor is licensed or pastoral
  • Session length and frequency
  • In person or video
  • Insurance or private pay
  • Training and denomination
  • Cancellation terms

What a written quote should spell out

  • Credentials: license type or pastoral training
  • Session length and schedule
  • How faith is included, and whether you can opt out
  • Cancellation terms
  • Billing details and whether insurance can be used

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are you a licensed counselor or a pastoral counselor?
  • What license can I check with the state board?
  • How much faith will be in sessions, and can I choose?
  • Do you work with people of other denominations?
  • What concerns are outside your scope?
  • How do you handle crisis situations?

Red flags

  • Telling you to pray instead of getting care for a health or safety concern
  • Blaming you or your faith for the problem
  • Cannot say whether they are licensed
  • Pressure to follow a specific belief
  • Sharing your details with a church without consent

What you can do yourself

Prayer, reading and talking with your pastor or community may support you, but they do not replace licensed care when concerns are serious. Talk with your doctor about health conditions, and contact emergency services in a crisis.

Licenses and permits

Some Christian counselors are licensed therapists and some are pastoral counselors who are not licensed. Ask which applies, and check any license with your state licensing board.

Christian counseling questions

Is Christian counseling licensed?

Some counselors are licensed and some are not. Ask and check with the state board.

Do I have to pray in sessions?

No. You set how much faith is part of sessions.

Can I switch to non-faith counseling?

Yes. A good counselor will help you find a fit.

Is it covered by insurance?

Only if the counselor is licensed and in network. Ask the practice.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer christian counseling remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

Edit history

How guide reviews work

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More health and wellness guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request christian counseling