Faith-based counseling is counseling or therapy that involves a spiritual and/or religious approach. Dependent upon the education and skill-base of the provider, the approach might be entirely religious/spiritual, or it might incorporate and integrate secular psychological theories and interventions as well. To the extend that most 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous encourage appealing to a “Higher Power” they are faith-based.
“Does religion belong in therapy?” A growing number of counselors and patients think it does. Faith-based therapy is growing in popularity, reports Psychology Today, as more patients look for counselors who can discuss their problems and goals from a religious frame of reference.” Read NY Times article by Tara Parker-Pope, March 22, 2011.
