Christian counseling is more than a profession; it’s a vocation. By blending psychological insight with biblical truth, Christian counselors help individuals, couples, and families find emotional health and spiritual wholeness. They listen, guide, and pray with those who are hurting, addressing both the mind and the heart through faith-based care.
As the need for mental health support continues to grow, so does the demand for counselors who can address both mental health and spiritual needs. Whether you’re already serving in ministry or feeling a new call to help others, becoming a Christian counselor allows you to live out your faith in one of the most compassionate and transformative ways possible.
In this blog, we’ll walk through what it takes to become a Christian counselor—from education and training to career paths and ministry opportunities—so you can take the next step in following God’s call.
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Step 1: Understand the Role of a Christian Counselor
What is a Christian counselor? The key distinction between Christian and secular counseling lies in their foundation: biblical truth and Christ-like compassion. Christian counselors are trained to see every person as created in God’s image, worthy of care and restoration.
Christian counselors may serve in a wide variety of settings, such as a church office, a hospital room, a community center, or a private practice—wherever people are searching for help and hope. Their role isn’t to replace faith with therapy or therapy with faith, but to bring both into balance, helping clients see their worth and implement healthy strategies.
Step 2: Explore Education and Training Requirements for Becoming a Christian Counselor
The education requirements for Christian counseling start at the undergraduate level. Most Christian counselors begin with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or ministry, followed by advanced training at the graduate level. A strong master’s program provides the academic and spiritual foundation you’ll need to walk with others through complex emotional and relational struggles.
If you’re hoping to become a Christian counselor, a faith-based counseling program is essential. Christian counseling programs go beyond technique to teach you to view mental health through a biblical lens. You’ll study psychology and theories of human behavior, but also explore how Scripture speaks to topics like identity, forgiveness, and healing.
Step 3: Choose the Right Degree in Christian Counseling
There’s more than one way to live out your calling as a Christian counselor. The right degree depends on how you feel led to serve—whether through licensed clinical practice or ministry-based counseling.
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
The Marriage and Family Therapy path is for those who want to become licensed counselors and serve in professional clinical settings. MFT programs provide advanced training in:
- Family systems and relationship dynamics
- Couples and individual therapy
- Evidence-based approaches to mental and emotional health
An MFT degree opens the door to state licensure and prepares you for long-term practice in environments like private clinics, hospitals, schools, or counseling centers. It’s ideal if you feel called to provide therapy that integrates both clinical excellence and biblical wisdom.
Master of Arts in Counseling Ministries
The Counseling Ministries path is designed for those who want to offer counseling and care within the church, nonprofit organizations, or other ministry contexts. While counseling ministries programs don’t lead to licensure, they provide advanced-level training in pastoral care, crisis response, and spiritual guidance, equipping you to counsel from a biblical and relational foundation.
This route is a strong fit for current ministry leaders or those seeking to move into roles that blend counseling and discipleship, such as within church and parachurch organizations, helping people grow spiritually and emotionally through Christ-centered care.
Step 4: Gain Practical Experience
Counseling isn’t something you learn by reading about it—it’s something you grow into through consistent practice. Graduate programs typically include internships, practicums, or supervised counseling experiences where you’ll walk alongside real clients and learn to listen and respond with wisdom.
These experiences help you develop discernment, not just in what to say, but in how to be present with people who are hurting. Whether it’s in a church, nonprofit, or community center, every conversation with an experienced mentor becomes part of your spiritual and professional formation.
Step 5: Consider Licensure and Christian Counseling Certification Requirements
Christian counseling certification isn’t one-size-fits-all. The standards change depending on your licensure goals.
If your goal is clinical practice, you’ll need to complete licensure steps after earning your degree, including required supervision hours and state or national exams to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
Learn more about professional distinctions in our post, MFT vs. LMFT: How Are They Different?
If you’re pursuing a non-licensure role, consider pursuing Christian counseling certifications or continuing education programs to strengthen your biblical and relational skills.
Step 6: Explore Careers in Christian Counseling
Christian counselors serve in a wide range of settings. Learning about the different roles available to you based on your education, licensure, and interests will help you find your ideal place in the field.
- Licensed roles include private practice, clinical or hospital counseling, and school-based mental health support.
Read more: 5 MFT Careers to Consider
- Non-licensed paths often include ministry-based positions such as pastoral counseling, chaplaincy, missions, or roles in faith-driven nonprofits.
Read more: 9 Career Paths with an Online Christian Counseling Degree
The demand for faith-informed counseling is growing. People want help that speaks not just to their minds but also to their spirits—and that’s where your calling can make a lifelong impact.
FAQ About Becoming a Christian Counselor
Make a Long-Term Impact with TFC’s Online Christian Counseling Degrees
A calling to counsel is ultimately a calling to care. Counselors meet others in their pain, help them find practical strategies and tools, and point them toward lasting healing in Christ. At Toccoa Falls College, our online Christian counseling degrees are designed to strengthen both the heart and the mind of those called to serve. Whether you’re preparing for licensure or pursuing ministry-based counseling, you’ll find programs that honor your faith and equip you to make a lasting impact.
M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT)
For those pursuing professional licensure and clinical practice, the online M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy offers a path grounded in Christian compassion and academic excellence. Students gain the skills to guide individuals, couples, and families toward healing by combining evidence-based therapy with biblical truth within a multicultural, integrated Christian framework.
- Meets licensure requirements established by the Georgia Composite Board of Professional Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family Therapists
- Optional track to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with two additional electives
- Featured courses include:
- Biopsychosocial & Spiritual Development
- Multiculturalism & Diversity
- Spirituality in Marriage & Family
- Premarital Marital Therapy
- Treatment Planning
- Sexual Development
M.A. in Counseling Ministries
For those who feel called to serve through ministry, pastoral care, or nonprofit work, the online M.A. in Counseling Ministries provides advanced training rooted in Scripture. This non-licensure program prepares students to care for others within church or community settings, integrating counseling knowledge with biblical wisdom.
- Featured courses include:
- Care & Counseling Ministry
- Spiritual Dynamics in Counseling
- Relationship Counseling
- Group Counseling
- Counseling for Grief & Loss
- Brief & Solution-Focused Counseling
Both programs are flexible, fully online, and among the most affordable Christian counseling master’s degrees available (and it’s free to apply!) If you’re ready to follow your calling and serve others through Christ-centered care, Toccoa Falls College offers a clear, faith-filled path forward.
