5 Common Misconceptions About Faith-Based Therapy
Faith-based therapy is a form of counseling that incorporates religious beliefs and practices into the therapeutic process. Despite some misconceptions, this type of therapy can be effective for individuals who want to integrate their faith into their mental health treatment. Here are some common misconceptions of faith-based therapy:
Faith-based therapy is only for religious individuals.
Religiosity, much like anything else in life, can fall on a spectrum. You don’t have to consider yourself to be “very religious” to benefit from faith-based therapy. With this type of approach, your religious or spiritual beliefs and practices will be incorporated into therapy as much or as little as you’d like. This may mean developing spiritually based coping skills or viewing things from a religious perspective if faith is intertwined with how you live your life.
Faith-based therapy is only for spiritual issues.
Faith-based therapy can be used to address a wide range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and addiction. Faith is based on a worldview which means that a variety of issues can be understood and treated from this viewpoint. The therapist will work with you to integrate your faith into the therapy process to determine treatment, with the goal of improving your mental health.
Faith-based therapy is not as effective as traditional therapy.
Faith-based therapy incorporates faith into traditional therapy. This does not take away any effectiveness of traditional therapy. Rather, it enhances it. Many people find comfort and guidance in their faith, therefore, incorporating spirituality and faith into therapy can have positive outcomes for individuals struggling with mental health issues. Faith-Based therapy can help you
Develop coping skills that are unique to you and your faith.
Discover new perspectives to understand life’s difficulties.
Deepen your sense of purpose and understanding.
Faith-based therapy is not compatible with traditional therapy.
Faith-Based therapy can be combined with different traditional talk therapy methods. For example, mindfulness is a common therapy approach. If you incorporate faith, a mindfulness approach can include being mindful of God's blessings around you to help with the practice of gratitude. Gratitude is an important part of faith and research backs up the benefits of practicing gratitude on our mental health.
A faith-based approach does not mean that a therapist will tell you what to do based on the teachings of your religion. Your therapist will work with you to determine the best approach for your specific needs and may incorporate both traditional and faith-based methods into the therapy process.
Faith-Based therapists won’t be a good fit for me if I don’t practice the same religion as them or aren’t religious at all.
Some faith-based therapists may be open to working with individuals of different faiths or no faith at all. Many faiths have overlapping core values. Therapists will also work with you to learn how your faith plays a role in your life to understand the teachings and rituals that benefit you. Overall, it's important to find a therapist who is open and accepting of your beliefs, whatever they may be!
Wishing you the best in your healing journey. Stay Golden!
