Counselling

Looking for Christian Counseling? Very Well Mind researched the Best Online Therapy Services for Christians of 2024

Christian counseling for those looking to include spirituality in their sessions.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services.

For many people, spirituality and religion are a source of home and stability—and their mental health benefits are well-documented. For example, research shows that prayer can relieve feelings of anxiety for religious people.

Christian online therapy can help people interested in combining their mental health therapy and their spirituality, with the added benefit of the flexibility that comes with meeting your counselor virtually or via messaging. The number of online therapy services has expanded immensely over the last few years, bringing convenience and affordability to therapy-seekers, including Christians interested in counseling. For those who find solace in spiritual practices, working with an online therapist who shares their beliefs can play an important role in mental and emotional wellness.

“People request counselors or therapists who share aspects of their identity all the time, and this includes religion,“ says Amy Marschall, PsyD, clinical psychologist at Resiliency Mental Health. “A Christian person might feel more comfortable with a Christian counselor who understands their faith and how it applies in their life, just as someone of any other religion might prefer a counselor who shares their faith.”

To determine the best online Christian therapy providers, we personally tested 80 top teletherapy companies and surveyed over 100 users from each. We also sent detailed questionnaires to the companies themselves to gain further information and spoke to subject matter experts about the benefits of each company. Here are the companies that ranked the highest.

The Best Online Therapy for Christians, Tried and Tested in 2024

We surveyed 105 users from 55 online therapy companies and 180 users from 25 therapist directories and asked the companies to complete questionnaires. Then, we tested the services ourselves across multiple states, conducted comprehensive data collection research, and evaluated our results with the help of three licensed therapists.

Christian counseling may help many therapy seekers, but it may not be the right fit for everyone. Counselors are not required to hold state licensure in the United States if they are providing faith-based counseling—though most of the companies we reviewed only work with fully licensed providers.

Additionally, if you’re LGBTQIA+, consult a company’s statement of faith and/or code of ethics to see if its clinicians are LGBTQIA+ competent and affirming. Many faith-based platforms and practices only promote heterosexual marriage and traditional gender roles.

Online therapy is also not appropriate for those who are in crisis, suicidal, or living with serious mental illness.

When choosing an online therapy provider, we recommend that you read the company’s privacy guidelines before you sign up to better understand whether it is HIPAA-compliant and whether it shares any private information with third parties. There have been some online therapy security and ethical concerns raised by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several government officials about what user health information online therapy providers collect and what they do with any information they collect.

BEST FOR INDIVIDUAL THERAPY Faithful Counseling

Why We Chose It

Faithful Counseling offers therapy from a biblical perspective, and all therapists agree to a Statement of Faith. We appreciate how having clear, transparent standards gives users a good idea of what they’re getting into when they start counseling. Our experience, and that of the users surveyed, reveals that Faithful Counseling offers a great value and has quality clinicians who respond quickly and empathetically to patient needs.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Therapists agree to a Statement of Faith
  • Therapy is from a biblical perspective
  • Licensed therapists offer multiple modalities
  • Convenient communication options
  • Website is attractive and easy to navigate
  • It’s easy to switch therapists

Cons

  • Customer service suffers due to large size
  • Therapist is chosen for you
  • Website could be more informative

BEST FOR COUPLES ReGain

Why We Chose it

ReGain is a therapy platform completely dedicated to relationships that offers Christian counselors. We appreciate that Christian couples can get faith-based support that caters to the unique needs of their relationships. The platform is easy to use and subscription plans are flexible, so you can commit at the level that’s right for you.

Pros & Cons

Pros 

  • You can choose a Christian therapist
  • Focus is on couples therapy
  • Therapists are responsive over messaging
  • Convenient text and live session model
  • Can message therapists directly
  • Easy to switch therapists

Cons

  • Not a fully Christian platform
  • Does not accept insurance
  • Short session times

BEST WITH IN-PERSON OPTION Grace Wellness Center

Why We Chose It

Grace Wellness Center offers therapy, coaching, and counseling, including pastoral (spirituality-based) counseling,  either virtually or in person. We’re impressed with its holistic approach to well-being: Users can take advantage of coaching to improve their physical health, seek out a pastor for spiritual guidance, and get therapy for issues like stress and marriage issues, all in one place.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Fully Christian platform
  • Offers therapy plus counseling, including pastoral counseling
  • Therapists treat issues like PTSD, marriage issues, and stress
  • Treatment available for individuals of all ages, couples, and families
  • Discounts for those who qualify
  • Can choose your own therapist
  • Virtual or in-person sessions

Cons

  • Small number of therapists to choose from
  • No worksheets or supplemental resources given
  • No subscription options

BEST FOR RESOURCES Christian Therapist On Demand

Why We Chose It

Christian Therapist on Demand is a fully faith-based platform that is working to destigmatize therapy in the Christian community. We appreciate that its therapists can treat a range of mental health conditions, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), personality disorders, and addiction. Plus, it has a large selection of additional resources like calming music, educational podcasts, and worksheets.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Offers music, podcasts, education, and other tools
  • Is a fully Christian platform
  • Is helping destigmatize therapy among Christians
  • Multiple subscription options
  • Therapists treat a range of issues
  • Resource library available

Cons

  • No Statement of Faith could deter some users
  • No therapist bios
  • Insurance not accepted outside Pennsylvania
  • Some resources pages are low on information

BEST FREE WEBSITE Chatnow

Why We Chose It

Chatnow is a free service that offers 24/7 support from Christian peers. Users can connect to peers quickly by simply entering their name and the issue they’re facing. Chatnow can help reduce feelings of isolation and despair in those for whom therapy simply isn’t accessible.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Peer support from fellow Christians
  • Support for issues like debt, addiction, stress, and trauma
  • Available 24/7
  • Free service
  • Has an app providing biblical guidance

Cons

  • Does not provide therapy
  • Peers do not have any training in peer support
  • Only messaging, no phone or video chat services

BEST DIRECTORY GoodTherapy

Why We Chose It

GoodTherapy is an online directory listing therapists across the country, both in-person and online. It’s easy to search for a Christian therapist or psychiatrist, and you can even search for pastoral counselors.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Has Christian clinicians who treat a variety of issues
  • Large directory with a lot of options
  • You can filter for individual, couples, families, and group therapy
  • In-person and online providers available
  • Has in-depth provider bios

Cons

  • No filter for religion
  • Not a fully Christian platform
  • Costs not displayed for all therapists

Other Companies We Considered 

We considered Cornerstone Christian Counseling and MyCounselor.Online for this review but did not recommend them because they follow strict codes of ethics that are not friendly to the LGBTQ+ community. Note that Faithful Counseling (listed first) also has a mission statement that raises a red flag. As mentioned above, Faithful Counseling providers hold the belief that the Bible is “the only authoritative and infallible rule of Christian faith and practice,” and this could prove detrimental for LGBTQIA+ therapy seekers. There are online therapy companies that cater specifically to the LGBTQIA+ community, including Christians.

Cornerstone scored highly on our 2021 user survey, with 78% reporting that the services received were very good or “excellent.” It uses a pay-per-session model with prices that range from $58 to $184 per session, depending on the qualifications and experience of the counselor. Cornerstone does not bill your insurance, but it will provide a receipt so you can file the claim on your own.

MyCounselor.Online specializes in specific relationship issues such as intimacy and marriage issues, sex therapy, porn addiction, infidelity recovery, and relationship communication problems. Like Cornerstone, MyCounselor offers pay-per-session pricing that varies based on the experience and qualifications of the therapist. Prices range from $55 to $195 per session. It also offers one free counseling session with the purchase of a membership, and says it will fully refund the membership fee if you decide you don’t want to continue.

Guide for Choosing the Best Online Therapy for Christians 

Is Online Therapy for Christians a Good Fit for You? 

When determining if online Christian therapy is the right choice for you, consider these questions: 

  • Do you feel more comfortable talking openly with someone who shares the same spiritual beliefs as you?
  • Are you looking for a more affordable and convenient option than in-office therapy?
  • Do you find it helpful to incorporate faith-based practices into your mental health routine or treatment?
  • Are you a couple looking for faith-based guidance to strengthen your relationship?

If you’re doubting whether therapy would be beneficial because you already receive pastoral counseling, consider that while both are beneficial, only therapy is designed to treat mental health conditions with evidence-based approaches. You don’t have to choose between one or the other. You can have both.

“Some individuals benefit from religious counseling, but it can be harmful to try to replace therapy with it,” says Dr. Marschall. “Unfortunately, some churches push for religious counseling rather than secular therapy, which can prevent people from getting help for their mental health concerns. Christian counseling/therapy with a qualified provider can offer faith-based support along with evidence-based mental health treatment.”

Comparing Online Therapy for Christians 

When looking for a Christian therapy service that will fit your situation, there are several factors to consider.

  • Topic: Look for a therapist or service that specializes in your area of concern, such as anxiety, depression, or stress management. 
  • Personality: Make sure you feel comfortable with your therapist and can share honestly, including about your relationship with your faith. 
  • Cost: Decide how much you are able to spend per month for counseling services so you don’t have to end services early due to financial strain.
  • Financial assistance: If cost is a concern, look for an online therapy provider that accepts insurance, health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA) payments, or employee assistance programs, or offers sliding-scale fees or financial aid.
  • Scheduling: Find a service or therapist who can meet with you when your schedule allows. Many therapists offer evening and weekend appointments while some services offer 24/7 unlimited messaging.
  • Location: Make sure a therapist or company can offer services where you currently are located. A therapist must be licensed in your state.
  • Ease of switching: See if a service offers a free consultation, a trial period, or the ability to easily change therapists to make sure you find the right fit.

How We Tested and Reviewed Online Therapy Services 

For this article, we examined Christian-focused online therapy resources and evaluated them by services offered, mission statement (including their position on LGTBQIA+ issues), and cost. We specifically highlighted resources that provided Christian mental health counseling as opposed to biblical counseling, which does not require the provider to be a licensed mental health practitioner.

We sent questionnaires to 55 companies and surveyed 105 current users of each platform. We also reviewed 25 different online therapist directories by surveying 180 users of the service, interviewed therapists listed on the directory, and reached out to each company to answer questionnaires. We also looked at some additional Christian counseling-focused companies as well. This gave us a wealth of qualitative and quantitative data about the user experience at each company.

Each company was evaluated based on the sign-up process, therapist qualifications, user experience, variety of couples therapy offered, session length, subscription options, average cost, value for money spent, and the average percent of users willing to recommend the company to a friend

*** Very Well Mind article by Brittany Elyse Vargas has been exploring topics around psychology, mental health, mind-body medicine, and psychospiritual development for the past twenty years. She’s written professionally for over ten years as a journalist, copywriter, and ghostwriter. Brittany is committed to rigorous reporting and to tackling topics on the cutting edge of the wellness, healing, and the mindfulness movements.

By Brittany Elyse Vargas Updated on March 25, 2024

Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD

Fact checked by  Michael Rosenston

Edited by Hannah Owens, LMS and 

Simone Scully

Originally written by 

Amy Morin, LCSW

Updated by 

Euna Park

Photo by Verywell Mind / Design by Amelia Manley