Faith can be deeply personal—and deeply complicated. Maybe you’ve been hurt by the church. Maybe tragedy has made it hard to trust God. Maybe you’re exploring faith for yourself apart from your parents’ beliefs. Whatever the reason, if you’re wrestling with your faith, you are not alone.
Counseling can be a safe and supportive place to explore those struggles. Here are 7 ways it can help.
1. Find a Safe Place to Express How You Feel
Because faith can be such a sensitive topic, it may feel risky to speak openly about your doubts. A therapist provides a confidential space where you can share honestly without fear of being judged or pressured. Good counselors don’t force their beliefs on you—they walk with you as you work through your questions.
2. Identify Obstacles to Your Faith
Painful life experiences, broken relationships, or unhealthy authority figures can cloud how we see God. When we’ve been mistreated, it’s easy to assume God is just as harsh. Naming these obstacles in counseling helps untangle your view of God from the wounds others have caused.
3. Process Pain Related to Faith
For many, the deepest hurts have come from people who claimed to follow God. Hypocrisy, abuse, and injustice within the church can shake anyone’s faith. Counseling allows you to process that pain in a safe, supportive environment.
4. Discuss What God Says About Who He Is
Culture, family, and church all offer different ideas of who God is. But what does the Bible say? Wrestling with questions about God’s character—His love, justice, and trustworthiness—helps you develop a faith that’s genuine and personal.
5. Discuss What God Says About Who You Are
Struggles with identity are common: Am I enough? What gives me value? Understanding your worth through God’s perspective—beloved and created with purpose—shifts the focus from performance to identity. Counseling can help you sort through the lies and embrace what’s true.
6. Identify the Benefits of Faith
Life is often overwhelming. Faith can be the anchor that steadies you in the storm. Exploring what it means to rely on God’s presence and peace can bring stability and comfort, even when circumstances don’t change.
7. Normalize the Struggle
Everyone has seasons of doubt and questioning. Wrestling with faith does not make you a “bad Christian”—it makes you human. Understanding this can reduce the guilt and shame that often surround spiritual struggles.
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s okay for Christians to seek therapy, our blog on Can Christians Go to Counseling? offers encouragement and truth.
Christian Counseling in Pennsylvania
If you’re navigating questions about your faith, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Counseling provides a safe, compassionate space to process doubts, explore Scripture, and strengthen your relationship with God.
At Lime Tree Counseling, our licensed therapists offer Christian counseling. We integrate biblical wisdom with professional care, helping you grow in faith while also addressing struggles like anxiety, grief, or past trauma. We see clients in Ambler, PA, and online across Pennsylvania.
About the Author
Katie Bailey, MA, LPC, is the founder and a Licensed Professional Counselor at Lime Tree Counseling in Ambler, Pennsylvania. With more than 20 years of experience, she helps people move from feeling overwhelmed to connected by offering therapy for anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationships. Along with her team of licensed therapists, she provides compassionate, evidence-based counseling to individuals and couples throughout Pennsylvania.
FAQs About Faith and Counseling
Is it normal to question my faith?
Yes. Seasons of doubt are part of the Christian life. Wrestling with questions often leads to a deeper, more authentic faith.
Can a counselor help with spiritual struggles?
Absolutely. A Christian counselor can provide tools to process pain, explore Scripture, and rebuild trust in God.
Will my therapist try to change my beliefs?
No. At Lime Tree Counseling, we respect your story. Our role is to support you as you explore what you believe.
What if I want counseling that includes faith?
You can choose Christian counseling, where your therapist shares your worldview and helps integrate biblical truth into your healing process.