The healing potential of a faith-informed counsellor

Uncover why Bristol Christians might seek out a Christian Person-Centred Counsellor

In the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, the awareness of the importance of mental health has continued to intensify. Whilst everyone can experience periods of struggle during the changing seasons of their life, some people may wrestle with feelings of inadequacy, anxiety and depression throughout the course of their lives.

For Christians trying to confront and overcome stress, anxiety and depression, or perhaps living in the wake of a bereavement or relationship breakdown, it can be the spiritual considerations underpinning such seasons that prompt them to seek out a Christian therapist.

Personal Experience

As a Christian person-centred counsellor working in Bristol, I myself have received counselling from both Christian and non-Christian practitioners alike as part of my training – experiences that have prompted me to reflect deeply on the degree to which I have felt comfortable and able to unpack and explore aspects of my own spirituality with them.

I therefore understand that, for some, undertaking a course of counselling sessions with someone who has an embedded Christian history and an appreciation of the importance of the spiritual in the therapy room, can often be a key consideration when they make the brave decision to set out on their own counselling journey.

Person-Centred Counselling

This is not to say that a Christian counsellor is going to impose aspects of their own faith on their clients – far from it.

Person-centred counselling is, by its very nature, both non-directive and client-led, so the degree to which the counselling narrative becomes faith-infused lies in the hands of the client. But seeking out a Christian counselling service is one way of ensuring that the spiritual dimensions of live issues are always welcome in the counselling room.

It may be that faith-based counselling is initially a choice for purely practical reasons – that talking to someone who is familiar with the language and culture of church and faith-based communities is a helpful jumping-off point.

But for others, it may be that it is the invitation and opportunity to connect with their counsellor at a deeper level that recognises the healing and reparative potential afforded by such a therapeutic dynamic.

For others, who may be in a different place still, the prospect of talking with a Christian therapist may hold out the opportunity to process past experiences of church that might have left spiritual wounds that have yet to be tended.

Journeying towards Wholeness

Whatever the reason for choosing a Christian therapist, acknowledging the spiritual in person-centred therapy has the potential to enhance the counselling dynamic in a way that can benefit mental well-being and resilience going forward.

Not only does it afford the opportunity to trigger insights that stimulate personal growth and spiritual connection in the counselling room, it can facilitate a more holistic and enduring journey towards spiritual wholeness in the longer term.