General information only. This article is not medical advice and is not a substitute for care from a licensed professional.
Faith-centered couples counseling is relationship therapy that brings your Christian faith into the conversation alongside established couples counseling methods. It is for couples who want their beliefs to be part of how they understand and work through what they are facing together.
Who provides it
Some counselors are licensed clinicians, such as marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, social workers or psychologists, who integrate faith when a couple asks for it. Others are pastoral or biblical counselors working through churches, who may not hold a state licence. Both can be supportive, but only licensed clinicians are regulated by a state board.
What sessions can look like
Faith-integrated couples therapy still draws on research-based approaches such as emotionally focused therapy or the Gottman Method. Depending on what you both want, it might also include prayer, scripture, or exploring how your shared beliefs shape your marriage. A good counselor follows your lead about how much faith to include and never pressures either partner.
Questions to ask before you start
Are you licensed, and in which state? What training do you have in couples therapy specifically? How do you integrate faith, and can we choose how much? How do you work with couples who see faith differently? You can verify any licence on your state licensing board's website.
You don't have to choose a Christian counselor
Professional ethics codes ask licensed therapists to respect clients' religious and spiritual beliefs, so you can bring your faith into couples therapy with any licensed therapist. If it matters to you, ask in your first call how they would approach it.
If you are struggling right now
In the US you can call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any time. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.