Is faith-based counseling only for religious people?

No. Some clients describe their beliefs as spiritual rather than religious, or are in a season of genuine doubt or deconstruction. Faith-based counselors are trained to work with the full range of spiritual experience, including the experience of losing faith.

How is faith-based counseling different from pastoral counseling?

Pastoral counselors are typically clergy or trained ministry staff. Certified faith-based counselors hold professional credentials — AACC, ACBC, or state clinical licenses — and are governed by recognized professional and ethical standards. Both are valuable; for clinical mental health support, credentialed counselors are the appropriate choice.

Will my counselor pray with me?

Only if you want them to. Our counselors follow the client's lead regarding spiritual practices in session. Some clients find prayer a meaningful part of their work; others prefer to keep spiritual practice and counseling separate.

Is faith-based counseling covered by insurance?

Some Edifi counselors accept insurance. The "faith-based" orientation does not affect billing — the service is billed as professional mental health counseling, which is typically a covered benefit where counselors hold qualifying credentials. Check individual counselor profiles.

Faith-Integrated Care

Faith-Based Counseling Online

Your faith is not a complication to work around. It is part of how you understand yourself, your history, and your healing. Edifi counselors know how to work with it — professionally and theologically.

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Our approach

How Edifi integrates faith and professional care

Spiritually informed, not spiritually imposing

Your counselor works with the faith you bring — your tradition, your questions, your doubts — not the faith they would prescribe. The spiritual content of your sessions is yours to lead.

Credentialed without exception

Faith-based does not mean uncredentialed. Every Edifi counselor holds AACC, ACBC, or equivalent certification. Many also hold state clinical licenses (LMFT, LCSW, LPC). Spiritual orientation supplements professional training; it does not replace it.

Across Christian traditions

Edifi serves clients from evangelical, Reformed, Catholic, and other Christian traditions, as well as clients who describe their beliefs as broadly spiritual or who are in a season of genuine questioning.

Evidence-backed integration

Research consistently finds that integrating clients' spirituality and religious beliefs into counseling improves retention and outcomes among religious clients. This is not a concession to preference; it is best practice.

The process

What to expect

Match with a counselor
Browse counselor profiles filtered by specialty and faith tradition. Request a session directly — no referral required.
Meet for an intake
Your first session helps your counselor understand your goals, your history, and how faith shapes your life and your struggle.
Work together over time
Regular video sessions, with secure messaging between appointments when you need it. Adjust the pace to what works for you.

Why Edifi

What sets our counselors apart

✓Certified counselors — AACC, ACBC, and other credentials
✓Many also hold state clinical licenses (LMFT, LCSW, LPC)
✓Evidence-based methods: CBT, EMDR, EFT, and more
✓HIPAA-secure video sessions on any device
✓Flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends
✓Switch counselors at any time, no questions asked

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Is faith-based counseling only for religious people?: No. Some clients describe their beliefs as spiritual rather than religious, or are in a season of genuine doubt or deconstruction. Faith-based counselors are trained to work with the full range of spiritual experience, including the experience of losing faith.
How is faith-based counseling different from pastoral counseling?: Pastoral counselors are typically clergy or trained ministry staff. Certified faith-based counselors hold professional credentials — AACC, ACBC, or state clinical licenses — and are governed by recognized professional and ethical standards. Both are valuable; for clinical mental health support, credentialed counselors are the appropriate choice.
Will my counselor pray with me?: Only if you want them to. Our counselors follow the client's lead regarding spiritual practices in session. Some clients find prayer a meaningful part of their work; others prefer to keep spiritual practice and counseling separate.
Is faith-based counseling covered by insurance?: Some Edifi counselors accept insurance. The "faith-based" orientation does not affect billing — the service is billed as professional mental health counseling, which is typically a covered benefit where counselors hold qualifying credentials. Check individual counselor profiles.

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