The Best Online Christian Counseling Services, Tried and Tested

We asked two people to try Faithful Counseling’s services in California and Kentucky to test its individual therapy prior to it being folded into BetterHelp; we also tested BetterHelp's individual therapy in New York, Missouri, Massachusetts, California, Kansas, and the U.K. (although these particular sessions were not faith-focused). We liked the option to combine quality therapeutic techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with theology, prayer, and meditation.

For those interested in Christian counseling, BetterHelp has a survey as part of the sign-up process that asks about your Christian denomination, the role of prayer in your life, and if you'd welcome biblical wisdom and prayer in sessions or would prefer to keep them clinical. Knowing our therapists were aligned with our most deeply held beliefs put us at ease throughout the therapy process. Our therapists went beyond the canned responses so many online therapy platforms are known for. Rather, they were thoughtful and empathetic whether they were responding in live sessions or over messaging.

We loved that most therapists made time for us on their schedule even if they didn’t have slots initially open for us—it gave us the sense that they truly cared. However, in one instance a therapist didn't show up for a session and was unresponsive to our messages. We were able to quickly switch therapists and found the next therapist was communicative and considerate.

• Insurance Accepted: No
• Subscription Required: Yes, one monthly subscription plan with weekly rates subject to surge pricing
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Varies by demand and location; typically costs about $70 to $100 per week, for a total of $280 to $400 monthly

We surveyed 100 users of BetterHelp's Christian counseling services (formerly Faithful Counseling):

• 93% rated BetterHelp's Christian counseling as very good or excellent overall
• 89% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 93% said that most or all of their needs were met at BetterHelp's Christian counseling
• 96% are likely or very likely to recommend BetterHelp's Christian counseling to a friend or someone like them
• 74% identified as Christian

We had six people test ReGain’s services for couples and individual relationship counseling in California, New York, Ohio, South Dakota, and the U.K. We found it to be a good option for couples therapy: Therapists were professional and experienced, gave us tools to use between sessions to improve communication, and were responsive to our needs, even when we messaged them between sessions.

While we did not test ReGain for faith-based counseling, we noted that you could request a Christian counselor during sign-up. Considering the unique needs of Christian couples, we found this to be very reassuring. We loved how responsive our therapists were and how willing they were to accommodate session times that worked best for us—even if it was out of their typical schedules. Often, we’d get responses to our messages within 24 hours. Our therapists also used a variety of therapeutic techniques and modalities proven to help couples, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and emotionally focused therapy (EFT). 

However, in one instance we didn't have a strong level of comfort with a therapist who seemed to make assumptions and project biases. We also didn’t appreciate the short session times. Couples issues are complicated, and with two people wanting to be heard, 30 to 45 minutes isn’t always enough. Bringing up tough issues without enough time for each partner to be heard meant that sometimes therapy actually led to more fights once a mediator wasn’t present. To make the most out of ReGain, you might need to find a therapist with availability to see you a few times per week to truly get all of your needs met.

• Insurance Accepted: No
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: $65 to $90 per week, billed on a monthly basis, so $260 to $360 or more per month, depending on location, preferences, and availability. This gets you one session per week, plus messaging in between sessions.

We surveyed 100 users of ReGain:

• 87% rated ReGain as very good or excellent overall
• 93% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at ReGain
• 98% are likely or very likely to recommend ReGain to a friend or someone like them
• 63% identified as Christian
  

We have not yet had the opportunity to test Grace Wellness Center; however, we felt it was important to include it because it’s a fully Christian platform that offers both counseling and coaching, including pastoral (spirituality-based) counseling. It’s unique in its ability to offer faith-based mental health support for couples and individuals struggling with everything from stress to trauma to sexual addiction. Plus, it takes a thoroughly biblically-based approach.

We love that it has a holistic perspective on well-being. Not only can you opt for traditional therapy, but you can also see a coach to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle in body, mind, and soul, all of which will support your mental health. It's great that you can see a pastor too—getting multiple needs met in one platform can save time and make your life easier.

A downside is that in-person counseling and coaching is only available in Pennsylvania. That said, because it began as a traditional in-office private practice counseling center, it continues that structure through its online counseling session options. It offers pay-as-you-go sessions only, with in-office, video, and phone sessions available. Such a payment structure is good for those who don’t want to commit to multiple sessions or a subscription bundle. Grace Wellness is a small company, with only 25 employees, which may make it easier to get help should any issues or questions arise.

• Insurance Accepted: Yes
• Subscription Required: No
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Pay as you go at a rate of $80 to $125 per hour-long session

We surveyed 100 users of Grace Wellness Center:

• 80% rated Grace Wellness Center as very good or excellent overall
• 88% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 83% rated the communication options as very good or excellent
• 98% said that most or all of their needs were met at Grace Wellness Center
• 95% of users were satisfied or very satisfied with the therapist options

We didn’t have the opportunity to test Christian Therapist On Demand, but we felt it was important to include because of the extensive resources it provides beyond therapy, such as music, podcasts, worksheets, videos, and mental health guides. Providing such resources encourages self-responsibility and education, so therapy-goers can take charge of their mental health beyond sessions. We also love its goal—it was created in 2016 to destigmatize therapy in the Christian community. Its tagline, “You can have Jesus and a therapist too,” helps achieve that goal. 

It's great that it offers support for common but challenging conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), personality disorders, addiction, and anxiety. We like that both couples and individuals can get therapy and that groups are also available. You can also request a prayer and send a message detailing what it is for, which is a nice touch.

We weren’t sure what to make of the fact that there isn’t a Statement of Faith on the website. Some users might feel put off by the fact that their therapist isn’t agreeing to transparent standards, while others might be grateful that the platform’s approach is more flexible. We didn’t appreciate that some of the web pages for tools weren’t thorough compared to others. It would be great to see this platform have a more uniform, streamlined approach to sharing resources on its site.

• Insurance Accepted: No
• Subscription Required: Yes
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: The mind health wellness membership plan is $25 per month, plus access to pay-as-you-go sessions for $65 each, and one therapist-led group; the unlimited messaging plus plan is $260 per month for one monthly session with a licensed therapist, access to three groups, and messaging (text, audio, video); the ultimate unlimited messaging plan is $320 per month and includes four video visits per month; the couples coaching plan costs $380 per month and includes four weekly sessions, unlimited messaging (text, audio, video), and access to live groups.

We surveyed 100 users of Christian Therapist on Demand:

• 75% rated Christian Therapist on Demand positively overall
• 93% were satisfied or very satisfied Christian Therapist on Demand's services
  
• 84% said it was likely they'd be seeing the same therapist a year from now
• 92% of users would recommend Christian Therapist on Demand to a friend

We didn’t have the opportunity to test Chatnow, but we wanted to include it because it helps fill the gap in mental health coverage for those who are under-resourced and need spiritually aligned support. Chatnow is an online chat hotline that connects users to a “Christian who cares.” So, while it doesn’t offer professional mental health services, it allows you to talk to a Christian volunteer about any issues you may be experiencing—for free.

You can connect to someone quickly 24/7: Enter your name and the issue you want to talk about and begin chatting with someone right away. Topics you might discuss include debt, substance use, gambling, pornography addiction, sexual assault recovery, chronic worry, and loneliness. While you should get treatment from a qualified mental health counselor whenever possible for these issues, having an empathetic ear can be a lifesaver if you can’t afford therapy or you just want extra support.

It’s great that Chatnow also offers a newsletter and articles about topics ranging from guilt to connecting with God. Chatnow also has an app called MeetJ,  which is available from Google Play or the Apple App Store. It takes you through the Book of Mark and provides daily readings. While we wouldn’t recommend Chatnow as a stand-alone option for mental health issues, we acknowledge that not everyone can afford therapy. Talking it out in a safe space can help ease the loneliness and isolation that many therapy-seekers struggle with.

• Insurance Accepted: N/A
• Subscription Required: N/A
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: Chatnow is a free website, so you won’t need to worry about costs or plans.

We did not survey users of Chatnow, but we recognize that peer support can be crucial. “For those unable to access traditional therapy or who would benefit from the empathy of a person who has been in their shoes and faced the same challenges, peer support can be invaluable,” says Hannah Owens, LMSW, a subject matter expert. “Peer support can be bolstering by letting you know that you are not alone.”

GoodTherapy is an excellent, large directory with a variety of therapists, including Christian therapists, which is why it stood out to us. We had a great experience when testing GoodTherapy—we found that it was easy to use and quickly connected us with a therapist with whom we rapidly developed a good rapport. We appreciated that we could find in-person and online clinicians who treat a range of issues, including ADHD, addiction, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma.

We liked that we could search for Christian therapists specifically. After filtering for location, we could search using the term “Pastoral Counseling” and get a list of clinicians. We were impressed with the fact that we could specifically search for therapists who offered free consultations and sliding scale fees, since therapeutic rapport and cost are two of the most important aspects of finding the right therapist. We also liked how thorough the therapist bios are. You get plenty of information about each person's specialties and expertise, plus a more personal introduction that gives you a feel for who they are. 

However, we found that the search function can sometimes be iffy. Results from searches can vary, and it's not always clear how a clinician relates to the search function used. That said, for the most part, we found the process of looking for a therapist to be easy.

• Insurance Accepted: Varies by provider
• Subscription Required: N/A
• Out-of-Pocket Costs: GoodTherapy is free to use. It is a directory that connects you with therapists, who each set their own rates and policies.

We surveyed 100 users of GoodTherapy:

• 84% rated GoodTherapy as very good or excellent overall
• 86% rated their therapist’s qualifications as very good or excellent
• 95% said that most or all of their needs were met at GoodTherapy
• 97% are likely or very likely to recommend GoodTherapy to a friend or someone like them
• 63% identified as Christian