5 questions to ask a Christian therapist before you book
As a Christian therapist, I’ve seen the many ways God can meet, love, and bring healing to members of His Body. I’ve also seen how therapy can be used for the enemy’s purposes, including to lead Christians away from the truth that sets them free. When you engage in therapy as a client, you give someone a level of access to your heart and, with that access, power to heal or harm you. For this reason, it’s essential to use discernment in choosing a therapist.
I generally recommend that Christians seeking therapy work with a Christian therapist whenever possible. Not because they’re perfect or can’t do harm, but because they personally know the saving love of Jesus and have a perspective that is, at least to some degree, rooted in the truth of God’s Word. The trouble is, not all therapists who identify or advertise as Christian actually are. False gospels, cultish groups that claim to be Christian, and cultural or religious ‘Christianity’ are realities. Because of this, it’s wise to ask questions, rather than blindly accept someone’s claim. A therapist’s power to heal or harm is greater when they wear the name of Christ.
Here are 5 questions to ask a Christian therapist before you book with them:
1. “Who is Jesus to you?”
Jesus Christ is the Heart and Head of Christianity. He is revealed by His own Word to be the only begotten Son of God. Fully divine “God with us.” He is Lord and Savior, and our most faithful Friend. If a self-identifying Christian doesn’t personally know Jesus as their Savior, follow Him as their Lord, and/or doesn’t believe that He is who He says He is, this should be a red flag.
2. “What is the gospel you believe?”
Every Christian should be able to articulate, even if messily, the gospel they believe in! There is only one gospel - that of Jesus, the Son of God, who loves us so much, he forgives us and invites us to turn from our sins to follow Him and receive the free gift of eternal life. The gospel is good news. To accept it, one has to first believe the bad news that we are sinners in need of a Savior! If a therapist claims to be Christian and doesn’t know what the gospel is, sounds very confused or unclear about what they believe, or believes a different gospel - one that ignores or minimizes sin, makes sin the whole story, or minimizes Jesus’ role and work in salvation - I don’t recommend working with them.
3. “Do your beliefs align with the Nicene Creed?”
The Nicene Creed has clearly defined, for centuries, the core truths that Christians believe. The objective facts we believe or don’t believe about Jesus, about God, matter. They shape how we view Him, even our subjective experience of Him, and how we walk out our faith. If someone who is claiming to be Christian has core beliefs that deviate from what Christians have declared true for centuries, it should make you pause.
4. “Where do you stand on the issue of sexuality or sex ethics?”
I’ve asked prospective therapists and therapists I refer clients to this question because I have strong convictions about healthy sexuality. If someone has different convictions than you on this, it doesn’t automatically mean they aren’t truly Christian or aren’t trustworthy to be your therapist. However, it may indicate a lack of wisdom, and, in my experience, sex ethics that deviate from a traditional Christian sex ethic are often the fruit of a false gospel and/or other false doctrines.
5. “How do you seek wisdom?”
Christians recognize God as the beginning and end of all wisdom, and His Word as the ultimate source of wisdom. If a self-identifying Christian therapist only seeks wisdom from earthly or secular sources, that’s problematic. There’s a level of humility and fear of the Lord (the presence of the Holy Spirit) when one seeks wisdom in prayer, in Scripture, and from more spiritually mature, Christian mentors and clinicians.
You can ask as many of these questions as makes sense for you when consulting with a potential therapist. It might feel uncomfortable to do so, but guarding your heart is wisdom and you are worth it! Walking in faithfulness in this way will be a gift to you, and a gift to the therapists you consult with. God will lead you to the right therapist as you trust in Him.
If you are a resident of California, I offer virtual and in-person (Orange County only) individual therapy and you are welcome to schedule a consult with me here to see if we are a good fit. I’m also happy to provide trusted referrals if you need help with that - just send me a message!
