Embracing Faith in Talk Therapy

In recent years, the integration of spirituality and mental health has gained renewed attention, as more people seek alternative approaches to healing and recovery. For those whose faith is an integral part of their lives, incorporating faith into talk therapy can create a deeply meaningful and effective path toward healing. Far from being in conflict, faith and therapy can complement each other beautifully when approached with respect, intentionality, and openness.

Why Faith Belongs in the Therapy Room

Faith is not just a private belief system—it shapes how we understand ourselves, others, and the world. It influences our values, our sense of purpose, and our resilience in the face of adversity. For many, spiritual practices like prayer, meditation, or scriptural reflection offer profound sources of comfort, guidance, and hope.

Talk therapy aims to help people make sense of their thoughts, emotions, relationships, and life challenges. When a client’s faith is acknowledged and honored in therapy, it can strengthen the therapeutic alliance and provide a rich framework for exploring questions of meaning, identity, and transformation.

Faith-Based Values as Catalysts for Growth

Certain core values commonly found in many faith traditions—such as forgiveness, humility, gratitude, service, and compassion—can serve as powerful tools in therapy. When these values are integrated, they can enhance emotional healing, improve relationships, and promote intentional living.

• Forgiveness: Letting go of resentment can be liberating, but it often requires deep inner work. Faith can offer a context for forgiveness that feels safe and purposeful, whether it's forgiving others, asking for forgiveness, or accepting divine grace.

• Hope and Purpose: Faith can anchor a person’s belief in a greater good or a redemptive arc, which is essential during periods of depression or existential doubt. In therapy, discussing how one’s faith informs their life purpose can be a springboard for goal-setting and motivation.

• Accountability and Integrity: Faith traditions often emphasize self-reflection and moral responsibility. Therapy can support clients in aligning their behavior with their spiritual and ethical values, leading to a more congruent and fulfilling life.

The Role of a Faith-Sensitive Therapist

A faith-sensitive therapist doesn’t necessarily share the client’s faith but respects it and works within that framework.

For example, sessions may include:

• Reflecting on scripture or sacred texts in the context of emotional struggles

• Discussing prayer as a coping or grounding practice

• Exploring spiritual wounds or religious trauma in a safe space

• Aligning therapeutic goals with the client’s sense of divine calling or mission

Walking the Path of Wholeness

Ultimately, incorporating faith into therapy is about honoring the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. For many, healing is not just psychological but spiritual. By weaving faith-based values into therapeutic work, individuals can uncover a deeper sense

This and That.

This and That.

Not This or That.

It can be both. And often, it is both.

But do we see it that way?

Do you make yourself choose a “side?” A perspective?

Does this “choice” contribute to distress or conflict, whether it’s in a relationship or in the form of anxiety? Does your thinking make life a little harder than it needs to be?

Consider this:

You can ACCEPT something (or someone) and not LIKE it.

You can “have it together” and still feel like you’re “falling apart.”

You can feel lonely and not be alone.

You can be strong and be vulnerable.

You can feel happy and be sad.

You can enjoy your job but still find it stressful.

You can love your partner and not want to continue the relationship.

You can grow and still be healing.

You see…

When we begin to examine and challenge our thinking we create an opportunity for resilience, adaptability, effective communication, and problem-solving. We begin to shift away from rigidity, reactivity, and blame, and we create a space in our lives for balance and wisdom.

Curious? Let’s chat.

Yes, it’s hard. So what?

You read that right. Yes, I said it was hard.

Yes, I said, “so what?" 

Allow me to explain.

Just because something is hard doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Just because it’s hard desn’t mean we give ourselves permission to stew in those feelings and find more “reasons” to explain why things aren’t getting better.

Listen. Stop selling yourself short by telling yourself you can’t rise to the occasion!

Too often, during hard times that require change for breakthrough, I have heard someone say, “but it’s hard!!!!” Our words are SO powerful!

And as a therapist, it is my responsibility to say, “yes, it is hard. Are you going to let that stop you?”

Think back to all of the other times you did something really hard, but you DID IT anyway.

That’s what I want to help you remember! Every single time.

Yes, you can, even if it’s HARD!!!

What is mindfulness?

So your therapist said, “try to be more mindful…”

You’ve heard the word before and you think you know what it means, but do you?

Simply put, mindfulness IS awareness.

The practice of mindfulness is choosing to be aware. On purpose. With intention.

It is gathering our attention and then choosing to focus on what we want to notice or do.

Take a few minutes and immerse yourself in a small moment, like washing the dishes. Tune into your 5 senses and allow them to guide your attention. What is the temperature of the water? How does the dish feel as you hold it? Can you smell the soap?

When distractions come up (and they will!), return your full attention to what you are doing, without judgment.

“Go to therapy!”

So I was watching a stand-up routine of a well-known comedian recently. He openly acknowledged going to therapy and sincerely encouraged the entire audience to do the same.

He emphasized how important it is to have someone to talk to. Someone who can listen objectively, without fear of judgment.

And to NOT judge others for going to therapy!!

How refreshing!

Let’s encourage each other to get the support we need.

Let’s stop hiding our pain. Let’s make it SAFE to be human. To ask for help.

To make mistakes. To learn. To grown. To forgive.

Go to therapy. Have a therapist. Have someone to talk to.

Life is hard. And we need each other.