Faith & culture · The Holistic Counselor Podcast learning guide
From the Mic to the Community
What is biblical counseling?
Understand the approach and how it differs from licensed therapy.
Diana S. Rice · Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional (CIMHP), Qualified Supervisor (QS)
4 pages · No email required · Education, not individual care
Similar words can describe very different kinds of help. Let’s make the differences clear so you can choose with open eyes.
Scripture is central
Biblical counseling uses the Bible and Christian beliefs to understand struggles and guide care. Groups and counselors differ. Ask how they use research and when they work with medical providers.
Ask which service is being offered
Some biblical counselors are pastors or trained lay helpers. Some also have a mental health license. A ministry certificate shows one kind of training. It is not the same as a clinical license issued by a state or other authority.
Compare the care, not only the label
A licensed Christian therapist may bring clinical care and faith together. Biblical or pastoral care may focus on spiritual growth and support. Ask who is providing the service, what they are trained to do, and how they respond to a crisis. Ask who can see the information you share.
Research & perspective
What to keep in mind
Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation describes its own biblical counseling approach through Christian theology. That source helps explain a belief framework; it is not evidence that every program treats a mental health condition effectively.
Explore the sources ↓A moment for you
Let’s pause and reflect.
Choose one question, or take your time with all three. Your answers can stay private. Skip anything that feels like too much; you do not need to revisit painful details to use this guide.
- Am I seeking spiritual guidance, mental health treatment, or both?
- What do I need to understand about privacy?
- How would I know when additional clinical care is needed?
Use your own notebook or the writing space in the PDF. This page does not ask you to submit reflections.
Optional faith reflection
How could spiritual support and qualified clinical care work together for me?
Continue the conversation
Listen with curiosity.
Looking for a related conversation? Search the episode archive by topic or guest. This guide does not yet have a dedicated episode selection.
Explore the complete episode archive ↗Make room for support
Questions to bring to a professional
- What credentials and supervision do you have?
- Who can access information I share?
- When do you refer to licensed mental health or medical care?
One next step
Request a clear explanation of the service and its limits. If you need clinical treatment, verify the professional’s license and relevant training.
Keep learning
Sources & useful resources
These links support the teaching and help you explore further. Professional organizations describe their own approaches; faith organizations describe their perspectives. Directories are starting points, not endorsements.
- Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation: Its approach to biblical counseling ↗
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Types of mental health professionals ↗
Services, fees, rules, and links may change. Confirm current details directly.
When a guide is not enough
Need support right now?
In the U.S. and its territories, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers support for emotional distress or a suicidal crisis.
If there is immediate danger or a medical emergency in the U.S., call 911. Outside the U.S., use your local emergency or crisis service.
This website and its contact form do not provide crisis care.