If you’re a Christian who is struggling with an emotional or mental health issue, you might like to see a counselor who shares your faith in God.
However, for some Christians, faith-based counseling services from a licensed therapist can seem very expensive especially when in-person. In this guide, we will review seven platforms where you can find affordable Christian counseling near and online.
Want to skip right to the suggestions for affordable Christian therapists? Here are our 7 recommended therapy solutions:
- BetterHelp
- Find-a-therapist.com
- Christian Counselor Directory
- Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
- Clinic for Christian Counseling
- Christian Therapist On Demand
- Cornerstone Christian Counseling
Best affordable Christian counseling services
Let’s begin our reviews. Below, we’ve looked at seven platforms that can connect you with affordable Christian therapists.
| Provider | Good For | Location | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetterHelp | Quick match with the right Christian counselor for you | Online therapy | $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks) |
| Find-a-therapist.com | Finding and contacting the right counselor for you | Online and in-person therapy | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
| Christian Counselor Directory | Find and contact the right Christian counselor near you | Online and in-person therapy in the U.S. and Canada | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
| Association of Certified Biblical Counselors | Marriage, family dynamics, personal struggles, and emotional well-being | Online and in-person therapy worldwide | Varies depending on the counselor fee |
| Clinic for Christian Counseling | Adults, teens, children, families | Online therapy throughout the state and in-person therapy in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Rice Lake, and the Chippewa Valley | Varies depending on the insurance coverage, the Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or self-pay options |
| Christian Therapist On Demand | Quick match with the right Christian counselor for you. | Online Therapy | $25 to $ 320 monthly |
| Cornerstone Christian Counseling | Christian therapy, marriage therapy, play therapy, trauma therapy, EMDR, brainspotting therapy. | Online therapy in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IN, MN, MO, MT, NC, WA, WY and in-person therapy in CO and FL. | $68 to $192 per session. |
1. BetterHelp
Explore emotional well-being with BetterHelp – your partner in affordable online therapy. With 30,000+ licensed therapists and plans starting from only $65 per week, BetterHelp makes self-care accessible to all. Complete the questionnaire to match with the right therapist.
- Good for: Quick match with the right Christian counselor for you.
- Location: Online therapy.
- Pricing: $65 to $90 per week (billed every 4 weeks).
- Features: iOS and Android app available, message your therapist anytime, live sessions are scheduled weekly and done via live chat, phone, or video call.
BetterHelp is an online counseling service that provides access to licensed therapists with various specialties, including faith-based therapy. After completing the sign-up process, you will also be matched with a licensed Christian counselor on the platform, based on the information provided during sign-up.
Read our BetterHelp review here.
2. Find-a-therapist.com
- Good for: Finding and contacting the right counselor for you.
- Location: Online and in-person therapy.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Filter your search, find accessible and effective online and in-person therapy, find guides on different types of therapy.
Find-a-therapist.com is an online directory that helps you find and connect with the right therapist for you according to your preferences. There you can filter your search by different features such as therapist specialties and credentials, therapist gender, language spoken, and more.
3. Christian Counselor Directory
- Good for: Finding and contacting the right Christian counselor near you.
- Location: Online and in-person therapy in the U.S. and Canada.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Free to access, browse a thorough profile of each therapist, locate a therapist by entering your zip code, state, or province, contact therapists directly.
All the professional therapists on the Christian Counselor Directory are mental health professionals who also follow the Christian faith, and Christian values. They use the principles of both Christianity and scientific psychological treatments to provide support and help you improve your life.
4. Association of Certified Biblical Counselors
- Good for: Marriage, family dynamics, personal struggles, and emotional well-being.
- Location: Online and in-person therapy worldwide.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the counselor fee.
- Features: Principles and guidance of the Bible are central, search by location, specialization, or other criteria, reach out to the counselor directly.
The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors offers a directory where you can find a Christian therapist near you or online according to your preferences. You can check the profiles of each therapist and contact them directly.
5. Clinic for Christian Counseling
- Good for: Adults, teens, children, families.
- Location: Online therapy throughout the state and in-person therapy in Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Rice Lake, and the Chippewa Valley.
- Pricing: Varies depending on the insurance coverage, the Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) or self-pay options.
- Features: Accepts insurance, currently in-network EAPs, matches you with a licensed and experienced Christian counselor.
The Clinic for Christian Counseling offers support and encouragement for individuals seeking assistance with their emotional and spiritual well-being. The professional counseling team employs diverse therapeutic approaches, integrating evidence-based practices with a Christian perspective.
6. Christian Therapist On Demand
- Good for: Quick match with the right Christian counselor for you.
- Location: Online Therapy.
- Pricing: $25 to $ 320 monthly.
- Features: Include worksheets, podcasts, and access to a living weekly support group, HIPAA compliant.
Christian Therapist On Demand connects you with Christian therapists ready to offer you the counseling you need. There, you can find other resources like podcasts, worksheets, and support groups.
7. Cornerstone Christian Counseling
- Good for: Christian therapy, marriage therapy, play therapy, trauma therapy, EMDR, brainspotting therapy.
- Location: Online therapy in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, ID, IN, MN, MO, MT, NC, WA, WY and in-person therapy in CO and FL.
- Pricing: $68 to $192 per session.
- Features: Choose your therapist by qualification, discounts for those in the military, first responders, police, and chaplains.
Cornerstone Christian Counseling offers online and in-person therapy with qualified Christian counselors. Some issues you can address here include trauma, relationship issues, depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.
Can You Get Free Christian Counseling?
Some online platforms offer free Christian counseling services that can be accessed over a smartphone or laptop, or via phone call.
However, the counselors on most of the free Christian counseling platforms are usually Christian volunteers, not licensed Christian therapists. That is why they tend to use only biblical principles and understandings, not psychological methods, to try and help people overcome their mental illness and personal struggles, and improve their everyday life.
It is highly recommended to seek out licensed Christian counselors, rather than a volunteer. Although seeing a professional costs more, it’s possible to find online affordable Christian counseling services. No matter whether you’re a teenager, adult, or elderly person seeking a Christian counselor, you can find professional support at a reasonable price.
How to Find Affordable Christian Counseling
As we mentioned above, online counseling platforms can offer therapy services for a very affordable price, especially if your insurance does not cover professional counseling services. These platforms can also help to connect you with professional Christian therapists.
To find affordable Christian counseling:
- Look at Christian counseling online, such as the platforms we mentioned above, and see if their pricing meets your budget.
- If online counseling isn’t a good fit, use the therapist directories mentioned above to search for local therapists.
- Shortlist therapists who seem like they would be a good fit, and call/email them. Explain your financial situation, and see if they offer sliding-scale pricing to certain clients, or if they offer reduced prices for slightly shorter sessions.
Online vs. Face-to-face Counseling
Both online and in-person counseling have their pros and cons – they are quite different methods of getting support for your mental and emotional health.
First of all, the easy accessibility of professional counseling websites can make them a more effective method of getting help for some people. You can easily connect with your therapist at the comfort of your home at a time that works for you. You don’t have to take time off work, if you don’t want to.
Secondly, you don’t always have to reveal your identity when using a therapy website. You can use many of these online counseling services discreetly. This can be helpful in reducing any anxiety you may feel about seeing a Christian therapist or psychologist.
Although it’s generally a more affordable option, the downside to Christian counseling online is that with some forms of online therapy, for example, messaging your therapist cannot analyze your tone, body language, and facial expressions as they could if they saw you in person. Online video therapy sessions on the other hand allow for a similar experience as in-person therapy sessions.
Also, certain mental health disorders that need immediate consultation may require in-person sessions. For instance, if you have suicidal thoughts, personality disorders, or schizophrenia, it’s better to physically visit a mental health center or therapist to get immediate support.
How Much Does Christian Counseling Cost?
The cost of Christian counseling can differ substantially depending on whether you access online Christian counseling or in-person Christian counseling.
Here, we will briefly review the costs of both online Christian counseling services and face-to-face therapy sessions.
| Online Christian Counseling Services | In-person Christian Counseling |
|---|---|
| Online Christian counseling is often more cost-effective when compared to in-person therapy, because these services have lower overhead costs. | Face-to-face Christian counseling is generally more expensive than online counseling sessions. |
| Online counselors work independently, and they don’t need to cover expenses such as renting an office, or hiring receptionists, often making their counseling services more affordable for most clients. | On average, Christian counselors charge about $100-$175 for a one-hour therapy session. However, these fees can vary based on the counselor’s education, experience, and location. |
| On average, online Christian counseling services charge about $80 per week/session, but these prices vary based on the number of video counseling sessions you need, and the online service you choose. | Face-to-face counseling is more likely to be covered by your insurance, potentially making this type of therapy cost a lot less. |
Is Online Therapy as Effective as In-person Therapy?
In general, online therapy is as effective as in-person therapy.
According to a meta-analysis published by National Center for Health Research, online therapy is as effective as face-to-face therapy for most common mental health problems such as anxiety, phobias, relationship problems, depression, and many others.
There’s no difference in patient satisfaction depending on whether therapy is online or in-person, no matter whether you seek marriage counseling, anxiety counseling, depression counseling, or assistance with other types of mental health challenges, such as eating disorders.
The most important thing is choosing the type of therapy that you feel most comfortable with. If you feel you would be more likely to open up to a therapist over the internet, or even by text message, this may make your sessions more effective than if they were completed face-to-face.
Principles of Counseling with a Christian Perspective
Christian counseling is normally based on a blend of both psychological and Christian techniques and principles.
Below, we’ve listed some of the key principles typically followed by a Christian counselor.
- A belief in God and belief in the fact that God’s sayings are true. In particular, a belief that His teachings can protect your soul from the sufferings of the materialized world.
- A Christian counselor honors you with due respect, irrespective of your guilt about past events or what you are suffering with. The biblical reasoning behind this principle lies in the fact that humans should be treated just like Jesus would treat them.
- A Christian therapist treats their clients with compassion and a humble heart. They allow people to show their true selves, whether good or bad, without passing judgment.
Problems Addressed by Christian Counselors
A Christian counselor can help to treat a wide range of emotional, spiritual, behavioral, and relationship issues that may become the core reasons for marital and relationship problems, anxiety, substance abuse, and other life challenges.
Common Mental Health Issues
Christian counseling combines psychological therapies and Biblical understandings to treat common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, personality disorders, compulsive behavior, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Besides these problems, a Christian therapist can address many other emotional or mental health issues such as grief, social adjustment problems, and low self-esteem, amongst others.
Marital Problems
The main focus of Christian marriage counseling is to repair a damaged relationship through providing spiritual, emotional and psychological guidance.
Several conflicts may arise in a marriage that can lead to separation. However, divorce is typically dissuaded (except in some rare circumstances) in Christianity. Thus, the counselor helps to settle marriage conflicts by striving towards a place of mutual understanding between a husband and wife.
Christian counselors can also provide premarital counseling, to help you and your partner prepare for the journey of marriage you’re about to set out on.
Spiritual Challenges
If you are facing a spiritual imbalance, Christian counseling can support you in regaining your sense of hope for the life that is found in Jesus Christ. Thus, this type of counseling can help to heal the soul and strengthen your faith.
Parenting Challenges
Christian counselors can guide couples on their parenting journey using their understandings of the Bible and child psychology. Through family therapy techniques, they can also help to address relationship and family issues that come about as a result of parenting stress, potentially using Bible study to help you and your partner.
Conclusion
Christian counseling integrates Christian principles and psychological methods to take care of your mental health and address issues related to your emotions, soul, and relationships. The availability of affordable options like the ones we mentioned above not only addresses the financial constraints many may face but also reflects a commitment to inclusivity and compassion within the realm of mental health care.
If you’re unsure how to find affordable therapy for Christians, or you have any other questions, feel free to contact us and we’ll get right back to you.
