At Spence Counseling Center we counsel from a Biblical perspective. Research is clear that individuals with a foundation of faith have better mental health than those without. I can say in my 19 years of professional experience that clients with a connection to Jesus tend to grow, heal, and improve better and faster than those without.
Lifeway Research studied 40,000 people a few years back and found that those who read the Bible at least four times per week have remarkably better lives. Loneliness, anger problems, and bitterness all drop for these people compared to others. Alcohol, promiscuous sex, spiritual stagnant feelings, and viewing pornography each drop more than 50%–a staggering difference! Statistical differences this large are rarely seen in social research studies. The takeaway is clear: if you are not already doing so, read the Bible regularly.
Why does Biblical counseling work? 2 Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” It is “living and active” according to Hebrews 4:12. A Biblical worldview transcends the problems, suffering, trauma, and fears we face in life and provides hope beyond circumstances.
It also helps because many of the mental health and relationship problems we battle are related to traumatic and dysfunctional life experiences, not to a diagnosis. I do not downplay major mental disorders. They are real and very impactful when present. However, the majority of the clients we see do not have major mental diagnoses. They need help aligning their thoughts and perceptions with truth. They need help forgiving others, calming fears, learning healthy habits, and healing from hurts—many of them chronic and deep. These tasks are all accomplished best when you insert the Way, the Truth, and the Life in the counseling process.
Some people steer clear of Christian counseling, expecting it to be judgmental and harsh. However, good application of the Bible results in the perfect balance of grace and truth. Both are needed fully to help people heal and grow. Jesus does demand a high calling. He said, “Take up your cross and follow me,” and “Anyone who puts his hand to the plow, and looking back, is not fit for the kingdom of God.” But Jesus also said, “I did not come into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” We are saved from sin, death, dysfunction—all the things people call about for therapy.
Some clients do not want Bible quotes, and we respect where they come from. But even in these cases, we use Biblical principles implicitly in our work. These are principles that help! As Jesus’ disciples said when Jesus asked them if they wanted to leave, as some other followers did, Peter replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
The Bible is incredibly cohesive and internally consistent. In the history of all literature no other writing compares. None comes close. The Bible has been meticulously copied through thousands of years, archaeology backs up its historical accuracy, and many lives have been profoundly changed by reading it. The real question should not be “why include the Bible in therapy?” Rather, why would you not include it in therapy!
Written by Mark Miller, Clinical Director, MSW, LIMHP, LISW, LICSW
Spence Counseling Center provides Christ-centered counseling services that integrate Biblical truth with professional therapeutic practices. With a team of experienced counselors, we help individuals, couples, and families find healing, hope, and growth through faith-based guidance. Our mission is to walk alongside clients as they align their hearts and minds with God’s Word, fostering lasting emotional, spiritual, and relational health. Wherever you may be in life’s journey, we are committed to helping you find strength, knowledge, and the skills to break the patterns that damage relationships and cause emotional pain. We help hurting people find genuine healing.