Faith & counseling
Can I See a Christian Counselor Without Making Faith the Focus?
Yes. Andrew Yeaton explains how clients of different beliefs can set the role of faith in counseling, and how Christian clients may integrate Scripture with CBT.
Yes. I am a Christian counselor, and I work with people from a variety of backgrounds. You do not need to share my faith to be treated with care and respect. You also do not need to decide before the first session exactly how much, if at all, you want faith to enter our conversations.
What “Christian counselor” means in my work
My faith shapes how I understand human dignity, hope, and the possibility of change. My clinical work draws primarily from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, paying attention to the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. If you want counseling focused on those tools without explicit prayer or Scripture, we can work that way. If your faith is central to the concerns you bring, we can make room for it.
I will ask what matters to you rather than assuming. We can revisit that preference at any point. Counseling should give you room to speak honestly, including about doubt, anger, disappointment, or questions about God.
When faith is part of the conversation
For a Christian client, Deuteronomy 6:5 offers a picture of loving God with the whole self. We can look at beliefs, emotions, habits, and relationships together. Matthew 6:21 can help us ask what we treasure and how that shapes our heart. Romans 12:2 speaks of renewed thinking; it can sit alongside the clinical practice of noticing an automatic thought and responding with truth.
2 Corinthians 4:18 and Colossians 3:2 remind us that the immediate and visible are not the whole story. Romans 13:14 gives the image of putting on Christ—a daily direction for thought and action. These passages are invitations to reflect, not shortcuts that dismiss pain or replace appropriate care.
You can set the pace
Some sessions may focus on a practical relationship decision; others may explore a spiritual question. You can tell me when a way of speaking is helpful and when it is not. The goal is thoughtful work that is faithful to your own needs and values.
If you are considering counseling in Richardson or by telehealth, send a brief note. You can mention your preference about faith, or simply ask about availability and fit. Read more about my approach to Christian counseling.
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