For many people in Charlotte, faith is not a side topic. It shapes how they understand grief, marriage, guilt, forgiveness and hope, and they want a counselor who will not treat it as something to leave at the door. Others want their faith respected but kept in the background. Both are reasonable, and a good counselor will ask which you want.
Practices describe this work in different ways. Some call it Christian counseling, some faith-based counseling, and some speak of the whole person, body, soul and spirit. Below we quote each practice's own framing rather than labeling anyone's beliefs for them.
How we chose
- Describes faith-integrated, Christian or spiritually integrated counseling on its own website.
- Its website states that its clinicians are licensed, or names their license types, so you can look them up with the state boards.
- It is based in the Charlotte area.
- Explains how faith enters sessions and whether that is the client's choice.
- Treats a range of concerns, so faith is part of a clinical practice rather than the whole offer.
The ranking
1.Laura Bass Counseling
Charlotte, plus a part-time office at The Healing Cottage in Columbus, NC
This is the practice that publishes this guide.
Best for: Adults who want a counselor trained in spiritual direction
Laura Bass has been in private practice since 1991 and is licensed to practice in North and South Carolina. She studied Spiritual Direction at the Haden Institute in 2011 and is an ordained minister through the Alliance of Divine Love. Her approach speaks of connection "with God or Creator, with yourself, with others, and with the earth".
Her psychotherapy is described as holistic, humanistic and integrative. Sessions are talk therapy, and the client chooses whether to add other practices such as grounding, meditation or journaling. Her complementary spiritual work is offered as a separate pathway, described on its own spiritual healing page, kept apart from her psychotherapy.
- In private practice since 1991
- Studied Spiritual Direction at the Haden Institute (2011)
- Ordained minister (Alliance of Divine Love)
- In network with Aetna and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
2.Access Counseling & NeuroTherapy
Pineville-Matthews Road, south Charlotte (28226); group practice
Best for: People who want to decide, item by item, how much faith enters sessions
Access describes a "whole-person" approach focused on "body, soul, and spirit", combining evidence-based counseling with Biblical principles "for clients who desire faith-centered therapy".
Its Christian counseling page is unusually clear about choice: "Faith integration is always client-led." It lists what sessions may include if the client chooses, such as Biblical encouragement, prayer during sessions if desired, and discussion of faith-based concerns. The practice also offers neurofeedback.
- Office at 7227 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226
- Lists clinicians with license designations
3.Rodgers Christian Counseling
Park Road, Charlotte (28210); group practice
Best for: Couples and individuals who want Scripture treated as a foundation
Rodgers describes "professional counseling with a sensitive emphasis on Christian values and truths". Its Christian counseling page says clients will not need to defend why their relationship with God, prayer life or church community matters, and that the Bible is integrated into therapy "when appropriate".
The page names the Soul Healing Love model as a cornerstone of its couples and individual work. The site also has a teletherapy page.
- Office at 10430 Park Rd, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210
- Staff page lists Drs. Tom and Bev Rodgers and several counselors
4.Bareiter Counseling Center
Monroe Road, Charlotte (28205); group practice
Best for: Clients who want faith welcomed but never pressed, including those hurt by church
Bareiter describes its team as "a community of clinicians who share a historical, Biblical Christian faith" and says it is "open to having scripture and prayer as part of your sessions" if the client wishes.
It also states, "We will never impose our Christian perspective on you or your family," and welcomes people seeking healing from spiritual abuse by churches or Christians. Services run from couples intensives to teen and child therapy.
- Office at 5101 Monroe Rd, Charlotte, NC 28205
5.The Virtue Place
Park South Drive, Charlotte (28210); solo practice
Best for: Adults working through betrayal or trauma who want prayer and Scripture included
Debra Wright, a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) per her site, works with adults on relationship challenges, betrayal, trauma and abuse. Her Christian counseling page says the approach uses Scripture, prayer and biblical principles.
The page frames it as an option for clients who want to "openly discuss the Lord, the Bible, and their belief in the power of prayer". She also lists EMDR.
- Office at 6135 Park South Drive, Suite 510, Charlotte, NC 28210
- Publishes a rates and insurance page
6.Josh Burnett Counseling
Arboretum area, south Charlotte (28226); in person and virtual
Best for: Men, teens and couples who want therapy viewed through Scripture
Josh Burnett, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in North Carolina per his site, works with men, teens and couples. His Christian counseling page says he uses current therapy techniques but views them "through the lens of Scripture".
He sees clients at his office at the Arboretum and virtually anywhere in North Carolina.
- Does not accept insurance; provides a receipt for reimbursement (per his FAQ)
- Office at 3315 Springbank Ln, Charlotte, NC 28226
7.Clemons Counseling and Consulting PLLC
Kettering Road, south Charlotte (28226); in person and online
Best for: Teens and adults who want a Christian perspective available on request
Steven Clemons, Jr. works with teens and adults and describes "offering counseling from a Christian perspective to those who desire this". His faith-based counseling page adds, "In my practice, all faiths are welcome."
His site says he is licensed in North and South Carolina, offers in-person and virtual sessions, and participates with most Aetna and BCBS plans.
- Office at 10643 Kettering Road, Suite 108, Charlotte, NC 28226
Faith-integrated counseling, pastoral counseling and spiritual direction
These three are often confused.
Faith-integrated counseling is psychotherapy from a licensed clinician who treats concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma or marriage problems and is willing to bring the client's faith into that work. The license means the counselor answers to a state board.
Pastoral counseling usually means care from a pastor, chaplain or other clergy member, often within a congregation. Some pastoral counselors are also licensed clinicians; many are not, so ask.
Spiritual direction is not therapy. A spiritual director accompanies a person's spiritual life and relationship with the sacred, without diagnosing or treating anything; Spiritual Directors International describes it as companionship. Some people see a director and a therapist for different purposes.
You choose how much faith enters the room
A faith-integrated counselor should ask what you want rather than assume it. Some clients want prayer in each session, some want Scripture discussed, and some simply want their beliefs respected when they come up. You can change your mind as the work goes on. Questions for a first call:
- Who decides whether prayer or Scripture is included?
- Do you work with clients whose tradition differs from yours?
- What license do you hold?
- Do you take my insurance?
If you need help now
If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.
Questions people ask
- Is Christian counseling the same as therapy?
- When it is offered by a licensed clinician, yes: it is therapy that also makes room for the client's Christian faith. Check the license on the practice's site and with the state board.
- Do I have to share the counselor's faith?
- Not at every practice. Several on this list say faith integration is the client's choice or that all faiths are welcome. Ask on the first call, and say if you want faith left out.
- What is the difference between a therapist and a spiritual director?
- A therapist treats mental health and relationship concerns under a state license. A spiritual director accompanies a person's spiritual life and does not provide treatment. Some people see both.
Sources
- Spiritual direction training, The Haden Institute
- What spiritual direction is, Spiritual Directors International
- License verification for clinical mental health counselors, North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988 Lifeline
Published by Laura Bass Counseling as general information, not personal advice or an endorsement. Details change: confirm anything you rely on with the organization itself. Published .