Therapy That Respects Your Faith: Counseling for Latter-day Saints

Nov 2

For many members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, faith isn't one part of life. It shapes family, community, daily choices and how you make sense of hard times. So when you're thinking about therapy, a natural worry is whether a counselor will understand that, or quietly treat it as the problem.

You shouldn't have to choose between getting help and being yourself. Faith-informed counseling is one way to get both: therapy grounded in standard, evidence-based methods, with room to bring your beliefs into the conversation when you want to.

This guide explains what faith-informed therapy is, what it isn't, and how to tell whether a therapist will respect your values.

Most important, your values and goals lead the work. Your therapist follows your lead on how much faith is part of it, and if you'd rather keep faith out entirely, we offer fully secular therapy too.

What Faith-Informed Therapy Is (and Isn't)

Faith-informed therapy means your therapist understands your religious background and treats it as a resource, not an obstacle. If prayer, scripture, temple worship or service help you cope, those can be part of your plan. If you're working through questions or tension around faith, your therapist can help you explore them without pushing you toward any answer.

It is still professional mental health care. Your therapist uses the same evidence-based approaches they would with anyone, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), adapted to fit your values.

Faith-informed therapy is not:

Religious instruction. Your therapist is not a bishop or a spiritual leader, and therapy doesn't replace that support.
A test of worthiness or belief. You won't be judged for where you are in your faith, including if you're questioning it or stepping away.
Pressure in any direction. A good therapist won't nudge you to be more devout or less devout. The goals are yours.

Research supports this approach for people whose faith matters deeply to them. A 2024 review of 23 randomized trials found that therapies adapted to clients' religious or spiritual beliefs worked better than standard treatment for clients with a strong religious or spiritual affiliation. That's why it's offered on request, not built into everyone's therapy.

What People Often Bring to Faith-Informed Therapy

Latter-day Saints come to therapy for the same reasons anyone does: anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, relationship strain, parenting stress and big life changes. Faith can also shape how those struggles feel. Some common examples:

Perfectionism and "never enough" feelings, especially when high personal standards turn into constant self-criticism.
Scrupulosity, a form of OCD in which worries about sin, worthiness or breaking rules feel impossible to settle.
Busy seasons and big transitions, such as balancing callings, family and work, or returning from a mission, marriage, parenthood or a move.
Faith transitions, whether you are questioning, deepening, returning or stepping away, and how that affects family relationships.
Mixed-faith marriages and families, where people you love see things differently.

None of these mean something is wrong with your faith. They are human experiences, and therapy can help you work through them on your own terms. If OCD or anxiety is part of the picture, see our Anxiety Therapy and OCD Therapy pages.

Your Values Lead the Way

The most important thing to know: in faith-informed therapy, you decide how much faith is part of the conversation, and you set the goals.

That's not just our preference. The American Counseling Association's code of ethics requires counselors to be aware of their own beliefs and to "avoid imposing" them on clients. The same code bars discrimination based on religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

In practice, that means:

You can bring faith in, or leave it out. You can ask for faith-informed care, therapy that respects your background without centering it, or fully secular therapy.
All faiths, and no faith, are welcome. We see clients of every belief, including those who aren't religious.
LGBTQ+ clients are welcome. Whatever your faith and identity, your therapist's job is to support you, not to change who you are. We do not provide conversion therapy, which Utah law bans for minors.
Questions are safe. If you're wrestling with doubts, you won't be steered toward or away from belief.

If a therapist ever makes you feel judged for your faith, or for questioning it, it's fair to raise it with them or to find someone who's a better fit.

Questions to ask before you start

A free consultation is a good time to check fit. Consider asking:

How do you handle it when a client's faith comes up in therapy?
Will you follow my lead on how much faith is part of our sessions?
Can we keep therapy fully secular if I prefer?
How do you work with someone who is questioning or going through a faith transition?

A good therapist will welcome these questions and answer them plainly.

How It Works at Podera Therapy

Podera Therapy offers secure online sessions for adults and teens in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina and Washington. On request, our therapists can provide care that draws on an understanding of Christian beliefs and of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Here's what to expect:

Tell us what you want. In your free 15-minute consultation, mention that faith-informed care matters to you, or that you'd prefer secular therapy with faith left out of sessions. Either is fine.
You set the goals. Your therapist helps you clarify what you want to change and, if you choose, how your beliefs fit into that picture.
Use proven tools. Sessions draw on evidence-based approaches, adapted to your values. You can learn more about the approaches we use on our Telehealth Therapy page.
Meet from home. Online sessions mean no waiting room and no worry about running into someone from your ward. Just find a private spot.

Because sessions are online, you can choose a therapist who fits you, not just one who happens to be nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Latter-day Saint to see a Podera therapist?
No. We work with people of all faiths and none. Faith-informed care is an option, not a requirement, and secular therapy is always available.

Will my therapist be a member of the Church?
Our therapists are familiar with the Church's culture and beliefs, and you're welcome to ask any therapist about their own background during your free consultation. What matters most is that they respect your values, whatever your relationship with faith.

Is this the same as seeing an "LDS therapist"?
Many people search for an "LDS therapist" when what they want is a counselor who understands their faith. That's what faith-informed care offers. It's still licensed, professional therapy, not religious counseling.

What if I'm going through a faith transition?
You're welcome here. Your therapist won't push you toward staying or leaving. The focus is on what you want for your life and relationships.

Will my bishop or family find out I'm in therapy?
Not from us, unless you want us to. With your written permission, we can coordinate with your bishop or other leaders; without it, we won't share anything. Therapy is confidential, with a few legal exceptions, such as safety concerns, that your therapist will explain at your first session. If you use insurance and a family member is the policyholder, they may see claim statements, so ask us about options if that's a concern.

Does insurance cover it?
Faith-informed therapy is billed like any other therapy session. We're in network with Select Health, Regence and several other plans. Our insurance guide explains what to ask your plan.

Take the Next Step

You don't have to set your faith aside to get help. A free 15-minute consultation is an easy way to ask questions, share what matters to you, and see whether one of our therapists is a good fit.

Schedule your free 15-minute consultation or call or text (385) 351-5473. You can also meet our therapists first.

This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.