Nicole Zeman

If you have a relationship with God that’s central to your life, it makes perfect sense to want a Christian therapist. “When both the client and therapist practice the same faith, they can draw on a shared body of knowledge that they both understand and value,” says Chuck Roberts, LCP, a former pastor and Christian therapist based in Dallas, TX. Connecting with a Christian therapist can take a few extra steps — and there are some special considerations to keep in mind.

Most people with full-time jobs don’t realize that their benefits typically include access to free therapy. This little-known benefit doesn’t require you to use your regular health insurance — it’s an add-on program offered by your company to support mental health. If you’re not sure if you have an EAP, the folks in HR can help. They’ve set up your EAP and want employees to take full advantage of it.

About a year ago, my school-aged daughter started having an issue that was making it impossible for her—or anyone else in our house—to sleep through the night. I knew she would benefit from seeing a pediatric therapist, but I put off finding one. “It’s just a phase,” my husband and I kept saying to each other. Five exhausting months later, we had to admit that it was a serious problem and we needed help.