Christian Counselling (UK): How To Find Faith-Based Care
Many people around the world, including in the United Kingdom (UK), are looking for ways to bolster their mental health through counselling. Sometimes people seek mental health support because they want to treat a mental illness. In other cases, people want to take preventative measures to promote good mental health, just as they may exercise and eat nutritious foods to promote good physical health.
Mental health counselling is one option for improving or maintaining mental health.
People who practice a certain religion, such as Christianity, may be interested in exploring a counselling option that aligns with their faith. Biblical counselling is a form of mental health support from a religious perspective. These faith-based forms of support may help clients with their mental health as well as their spiritual growth.
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What is Christian counselling in the UK?
This might be any mental health counselling available in the United Kingdom that is provided from a faith perspective. Often, people who seek this service view their religious beliefs as such an integral part of their life that they want them incorporated in any mental health support they receive. Mental health professionals who offer this therapy in the United Kingdom and elsewhere generally have a Christian faith themselves and often identify specifically as faith-based counsellors.
Who provides this service?
Mental health care providers, such as professional counsellors, therapists, social workers, and psychologists, may offer this service. Relationship counsellors may offer faith-based relationship counselling. When a professional counsellor offers religious support, they typically blend both science-based counselling techniques from the field of psychology and a Christian perspective together. This type of counselling may help people with mental illnesses as well as those seeking help managing the struggles of everyday life.
In the United Kingdom, the Professional Standards Authority may accredit some organizations offering religious services, which they then call an Accredited Register. Professional counsellors may also become members of a professional organization, such as the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy. That said, not all United Kingdom Christian counsellors or their organizations have these affiliations.
The terms Christian counselling and biblical counselling don't necessarily indicate how much the counsellor will draw from the Bible and how much they will draw from science-based counselling techniques. However, some people distinguish between these phrases and assign different meanings to them. Before choosing a counsellor, be sure to ask them to define how they are using those terms and to describe their approach to counselling.
Christian counselling
When a person uses the terms Christian counselling and biblical counselling to refer to two separate forms of support, the first usually describes a type that draws both from the Bible and from evidence-based practices. People who offer counselling of this type have usually been professionally trained and hold an advanced college degree in counselling, psychology, social work, or a related subject. The counselling they provide is usually similar to other mainstream counselling offered, except they also add in biblical references and a religious perspective.
Biblical counselling
Biblical counselling generally refers to counselling that solely draws its wisdom from the Bible. With this type of biblical counselling, the counsellor may not draw from evidence-based techniques or the field of psychology, and they likely do not hold a related advanced degree. Instead, they may have attended seminary school or studied theology.
However, it's important to keep in mind that many people do not distinguish between Christian and biblical counselling. Instead, the words are often viewed as synonyms. When seeking counselling from a religious perspective, ask for details about the approach a counsellor takes, regardless of what label they use for their support.
What can Christian counselling help with?
Evidence-based support can help with a wide variety of challenges as well as with mental illnesses. For example, people may seek professional support to receive help with:
- Self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use disorder
- Grief
- Trauma recovery
- Smartphone addiction
In addition, note that while counselling can help with mental health, some people seek it out solely for assistance with spiritual matters. For example, a person may pursue religious-based counselling while experiencing a crisis of religious faith or when desiring to gain clarity on their religious and spiritual beliefs.
Counseling vs. therapy
In general, counselling and therapy are terms often used to mean the same thing. Counselling and therapy both refer to talking with a mental health professional in order to increase mental wellness. The counsellor or therapist may use a variety of techniques and have a person talk about their thoughts, feelings, and personal history in order to help them.
How are they different?
On rare occasions, some people use the terms counselling and therapy to refer to slightly different types of mental health support. In these cases, counselling describes a short-term type of support focused on a specific problem or issue.
How to choose a therapist
Before seeing a counsellor, it can be helpful to do your research. You may want to sit down with a notebook and brainstorm what you seek from counselling. Are you looking for help with a specific problem or ongoing support? Gaining clarity on what you need from a counsellor can help you know when you've found the right counsellor.
What to look for in a Christian therapist
Only you can determine what you want to find in a Christian counsellor. Many people want a counsellor who has an advanced degree in counselling, psychology, social work, or a related field. Some people might also find it important for their counsellor to be familiar with their specific denomination. For example, someone who is Methodist may feel most comfortable if their counsellor is familiar with Methodist beliefs.
In your first session with a counsellor, it’s perfectly fine to ask questions about their beliefs, perspective, and past professional experience. Counselling will generally benefit you most if you trust your counsellor and feel comfortable opening up to them. If you ask questions and realize they aren't a good fit for you, it's okay to move on and begin looking for another counsellor who might be a better fit.
Potential benefits of online counselling
Online counselling is counselling that happens virtually rather than in person. It allows a counsellor and a client to have conversations in real time from different locations via phone call, video chat, or messaging. People often find online counselling appealing because of the flexibility it provides. Session times are usually flexible, and people can attend their appointments from anywhere they have an internet connection.
With BetterHelp, an online counselling platform that serves the United Kingdom, a wide variety of counsellors are available, including those who practice Christian counselling. You can get matched with a counsellor according to your needs and preferences as outlined in a questionnaire, but you can also switch providers at any time for no extra cost until you find the right fit.
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Is online therapy free?
Online counselling isn't free, but many people find it affordable. With BetterHelp, people seeing online counselling in the United Kingdom can get subscriptions as low as £65, billed every four weeks.
Effectiveness of online counselling
Although there’s limited research on online religious-based therapy specifically, there are many studies on the effectiveness of online mental health support more generally. In 2021, for example, findings published by the European Journal of Public Health suggest that nearly all systematic reviews and meta-analyses they reviewed indicate that online mental health treatments can "reduce symptoms and are efficacious" for a variety of challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use disorder, and others.
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How can I find a qualified Christian counsellor in the UK?
You can search a directory, like the Association of Christians in Counselling. You could also sign up for an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, which takes your preferences—including those for a faith-based counselor—into account when matching you with a provider.
What happens during a Christian counselling session?
If the counselor is a qualified mental health professional, the session will often look similar to a secular counseling session. The provider will typically still use evidence-based talk therapy methods to help the client work through the challenges they’re facing. The key difference is that a Christian counselor may also incorporate Biblical references or encourage the person to draw on their faith.
What is Christian counselling, and how does it combine faith with mental health support?
Christian counseling with a qualified provider is usually built on evidence-based talk therapy methods, just like secular counseling. The difference is that a Christian counseling provider may incorporate Biblical or spiritual concepts into the guidance they provide.
How does Christian counselling differ from traditional or secular counselling?
The main difference between Christian counselling and secular counselling is that the former usually incorporates elements of Christian spirituality and Bible concepts. Beyond that, both forms of care are typically based on similar evidence-based methods, like cognitive behavioral therapy.
What mental health concerns can Christian counselling help with (anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief)?
Evidence-based Christian counseling from a qualified provider can generally help with the same concerns as secular, evidence-based counseling. You can seek this type of care if you’d like a Christian lens on treatment for anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, or other concerns.
Are there free or low-cost Christian counselling options in the UK through churches or charities?
Many churches offer free pastoral counseling to the congregation, which is when a member of the clergy, who is usually not trained in research-based counseling methods, provides general spiritual support. For professional counseling support, you can try a Christian helpline or request a Christian provider through online therapy platform BetterHelp, which also offers financial aid to qualifying users.
How much does Christian counselling typically cost in the UK?
The cost of Christian counseling can vary widely. For example:
- Pastoral care from a clergy member at a church is often free
- Online therapy sessions through BetterHelp start at £65 per week; you can request a Christian counselor, and financial aid is available
- Private, in-person Christian counseling providers may charge £50–100+ per session
How long does Christian counselling usually last?
Like secular counseling sessions, Christian counseling sessions typically last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Couples counseling sessions (Christian or otherwise) may be longer, sometimes up to 90 minutes.
What qualifications or accreditation should UK Christian counsellors have (ACC, BACP)?
ACC and BACP are both widely recognized and valid credentials for a UK Christian counselor to have. Both indicate that they are required to comply with certain professional and ethical standards. Keep in mind, however, that UK counselors in general are not required to be accredited by any body.
Can Christian counselling be accessed online, and is it effective?
Christian counseling can be accessed online—for example, by requesting a Christian counselor through BetterHelp. Christian counseling often uses similar evidence-based methods to secular counseling, and research suggests that secular counseling online can often be as effective as in-person formats.
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