Can Christians Benefit from Therapy?

Can I be honest with you? I have wrestled deeply with the idea of therapy—both as a practice and as my calling. I’ve asked myself hard questions: Is therapy truly aligned with God’s will? Am I, as a therapist, simply helping people feel more comfortable in their sin rather than pointing them to Christ?

These thoughts weren’t just passing doubts; they were weighty concerns that drove me to prayer, Scripture, and honest reflection. For a long time, when people asked why I believed Christians could benefit from therapy, I felt uneasy. I would fumble through a response, trying to sound cohesive while internally questioning whether I was truly honoring God in my work. People’s hesitations and skepticism about therapy made sense to me. But I also knew what it was like to be the one sitting in the client’s chair. I knew what it meant to love Jesus, be connected to His church, yet feel trapped in my own mind—burdened by depression, overwhelmed by anxiety, and paralyzed by insecurity. I knew the feeling of crying out to God on my bedroom floor, desperate for healing, yet remaining in darkness. I knew the feeling all too well of being told to pray more, believe more, try harder but still be held captive in bondages of sin, hurt, and suffering. 

So when people asked me how therapy could benefit Christians—especially when it often seems to promote self over Christ—I struggled to answer. On one hand, I knew that secular therapy does encourage self-reliance and personal fulfillment above all else. But on the other hand, I couldn’t deny the powerful and redemptive impact of a faith-based therapist in my own life.

Personal Experience of the Good News Coming through my Therapist

I knew how God used Christian counselors to pull me out of the pit and reignite my heart for Him. In my darkest moments, it was a therapist—someone who loved Jesus and truly cared for me—who sat across from me and reminded me to Whom I belong. I couldn’t recognize the lies that were keeping me captive on my own, but with the help of a therapist grounded in faith, God led me to freedom. 

So, needless to say, this has been a personal journey for me—one I continually bring before the Lord. I pray for my clients, I pray for wisdom, and I ask God to refine my understanding of how faith and therapy intersect. I don't want you to read this and feel like I’m trying to convince you to start therapy—I am really wanting to help people have greater clarity and peace about if God can work in our lives through a godly therapist. 

More than anything, this post is an invitation—a chance to explore a bit of what I believe God has revealed to me about counseling, mental health, and biblical wisdom. My hope is that it gives you peace about faith-based therapy and, if needed, the words to explain to loved ones why a Christian therapist can be valuable for your walk with Christ.

So, if you’re wrestling with questions about therapy, grab a cup of coffee, take a deep breath, and let’s dive into what Scripture says about counseling. 

The Need for a Biblical Foundation 

I believe that whenever we have an important question, the best place to start is always Scripture. So, let’s begin there.

As a Christian, I firmly believe that the Bible is completely sufficient to guide, convict, and heal (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3). In fact, no human counselor—myself especially included—can ever compare to the wisdom and counsel found in God’s Word (Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 32:8). The Bible tells us that Jesus is both the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and the Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6), meaning He alone provides the deepest wisdom, healing, and transformation.

Because of this, my greatest desire is for all people—especially my clients—to cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ and rely on Him to meet their deepest needs. True freedom doesn’t come from therapy, self-help strategies, or human wisdom; it comes through the transformative power of a relationship with God. Jesus is the only one who can save.

With that said, I want to acknowledge that what I share in this article may not be perfect. I encourage you to take everything I say to the Lord in prayer and hold it up to the truth of Scripture before making any decisions about seeking therapy. But let’s be clear: Your personal relationship with God and commitment to His Word are the ultimate sources of wisdom, comfort, and healing.

Now, with that foundation laid—let’s dive in further.

Breaking Down Obstacles to Spiritual Growth

The Bible talks about how the will of God is our sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Sanctification is a fancy word for basically the process of becoming more like Christ.  Sanctification is both imperative for the Christian and is also rarely comfortable. Sanctification requires refinement, pruning, and confronting the parts of ourselves that we’d rather ignore (John 15:2). This process is deeply spiritual, but it also has emotional and psychological layers. As a therapist I have seen how trauma, unhealthy thought patterns, and emotional wounds all act as barriers to faith, making it difficult for people to fully trust God, love others well, and walk in freedom. Unresolved pain, guilt, and shame don’t just affect our emotions—they shape how we view God and relate to others. A person who has experienced deep wounds—whether through abuse, betrayal, or rejection—usually struggles to trust God’s goodness or accept His love. I have seen how therapy can provide a space to bring these hidden wounds into the light (Ephesians 5:13), allowing God’s truth to reshape what pain has distorted. 

Therapy, when approached with biblical wisdom, can therefore, be a powerful tool in the sanctification process—not as a replacement for God, but as a space where He works to bring healing and transformation. David declares in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” God desires to bring healing and restoration—and sometimes, that healing comes through counselors who help untangle the lies, fears, and patterns that keep us stuck. 

Our thought life is deeply tied to our spiritual growth. People often unknowingly live under false beliefs—whether about themselves (I’m unworthy), about God (He’s distant), or about their own circumstances (Things will never change). 2 Corinthians 10:5 calls Christians to “take every thought captive to obey Christ,” but how can we do that if we don’t even recognize the thoughts keeping us in bondage? If we’re unaware of the lies we’re believing or have no idea how to break free from destructive thought patterns, this command can feel impossible to live out.

Again, I believe Christian therapy can be a very useful tool or instrument God can and often does use to help both identify these deep-seated thought patterns and bring them into alignment with His truth. By working through cognitive distortions—those automatic, negative thoughts that shape our emotions and behaviors—Christians can learn to renew their minds, just as Romans 12:2 commands us to do.

Galatians 6:2 exhorts us to "bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." A good therapist will act as an extension of this biblical principle, helping believers process burdens they may not be able to carry alone. This does not replace the role of the church, pastoral guidance, or godly friendships, but rather I believe can supplement it—offering specialized wisdom and tools that can equip Christians to engage more fully in their local church, community, and personal lives. 

Therapy– a Tool, Not a Savior

Ultimately, therapy is just that—a tool. It cannot replace Scripture, prayer, or the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. But like medicine for the body or wise counsel for decision-making, I have seen how therapy can be an avenue through which God brings healing, clarity, and growth in the clients I have been able to walk alongside. When rooted in biblical truth, therapy does not pull believers away from their faith—it strengthens it.

Sanctification is God’s work in us (Philippians 1:6), but He often works through means. If therapy allows us to heal wounds that hinder faith, renew thought patterns, and grow in emotional wisdom, then it can be a powerful tool for spiritual growth. Therefore, perhaps the  question is not “Should Christians seek therapy?” but rather “How can Christians approach therapy in a way that honors God and deepens their faith?”

The voices we allow to speak into our lives shape our thoughts, decisions, and ultimately, our faith. Finding the right therapist isn’t just about credentials—it’s about alignment. A counselor who truly respects your faith will help you navigate life’s challenges without compromising biblical truth.

If you’re considering therapy, seek guidance that strengthens your relationship with Christ rather than detracting from it. Pray for discernment, seek wisdom, and trust that God will lead you to the right counsel. Therapy, when rooted in truth, can be a powerful tool in your journey toward healing and deeper intimacy with God.

If you're looking for a therapist who will support both your mental health and your faith, I’d love to walk this journey with you. Feel free to reach out—I’d be honored to help you find healing and growth in a way that aligns with God’s truth.   

You can also contact me at Tessa@finishwellgroup.com or call me directly at 331.267.5005