Integrating Faith and Therapy

I didn’t grow up Christian, but once I became a follower of Jesus, my perspective on healing and emotional well-being began to shift. I started to notice something troubling—many deep wounds and struggles were often dismissed within Christian circles with well-intended but oversimplified responses like, “You just need to pray more about it” or “You need to read your Bible more.” While prayer and Scripture are vital to our spiritual and emotional well-being, I realized that these responses, though meant to be helpful, often left people feeling unseen, unheard, and even ashamed of their struggles.

Why Faith and Mental Health Are Connected

As I became more involved in my church, particularly in youth ministry, I saw firsthand how many young people were struggling with anxiety, depression, past trauma, and deep emotional wounds. Yet, there was little conversation around mental health in faith-based settings. Many churches didn’t seem equipped to address these issues, and in some cases, mental health concerns were even stigmatized. The underlying message seemed to be that if you were truly strong in your faith, you wouldn’t struggle with depression, anxiety, or unresolved trauma.

This weighed on my heart. I knew God cared deeply about our emotional and mental well-being—after all, He created us as whole beings, with minds, bodies, and souls that are all interconnected. I also knew that Scripture never dismisses human suffering. The Bible is filled with raw, honest emotions—David’s cries of distress in the Psalms, Elijah’s despair, Job’s grief, and even Jesus’ own moments of deep sorrow. If God acknowledges and validates pain in His Word, why was the church sometimes hesitant to do the same?

Does Struggling with Mental Health Mean You Lack Faith?

Over time, this passion led me to pursue a career in mental health. I wanted to bridge the gap between faith and therapy, offering a space where people could bring both their struggles and their faith into the conversation without fear of judgment. Mental health challenges are not a sign of weak faith. They are part of the human experience, and seeking help is not a lack of trust in God—it is a step toward healing, growth, and the abundant life He desires for us.

How a Christian Therapist Can Help You Heal

I firmly believe that mental health support and faith should go hand in hand. Jesus Himself is the ultimate healer, but He also calls us to bear one another’s burdens, to walk alongside those who are hurting, and to seek wisdom and counsel. My goal is to provide a space where individuals feel safe to process their pain, challenge unhelpful thinking patterns, and ultimately seek truth in what God says about them.

If you’ve ever felt like your mental health struggles have been dismissed in faith-based spaces, I want you to know that your pain matters. You are not alone, and there is hope. Healing is not found in simply “doing more” spiritually—it’s found in allowing God to meet you in your brokenness, sometimes through prayer and Scripture, and sometimes through wise counsel and mental health support.

If you’re looking for a Christian therapist who understands the connection between faith and mental health, I’d love to support you! Reach out today to learn more about faith-based counseling and how we can work together on your path to healing.