Mental health treatment has long been surrounded by stigma, especially within certain communities where vulnerability is seen as weakness. Among the lesser-discussed areas where therapy is often met with resistance is within religious circles. The sentiment that “I just have to put it in God’s hands” or “I’ll just pray for change” is common. While these expressions come from a sincere place of faith, they can sometimes unintentionally discourage individuals from seeking the help they truly need.

As a Christian, I deeply value the power of prayer and trust in God’s sovereignty. Faith is a cornerstone of my life and the lives of many others. But we must also acknowledge that faith is not a substitute for action—it is a partner to it. God may indeed open doors, soften hearts, or provide moments of peace, but it is our responsibility to walk through those doors, nurture those opportunities, and make the most of the strength we are given.

Faith and Therapy: Partners in Progress

• Prayer without personal change can limit progress. For instance, someone may pray for improved relationships, but if they never learn to communicate effectively, the breakthrough God offers may be lost. Or, if God provides a season of rest, but the individual doesn't use that time to recover and reflect, they may return to their stressors just as weary as before. That’s where therapy becomes a powerful tool—not in place of faith, but alongside it.

• Therapy fosters self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and practical tools for navigating life’s challenges. It equips people to respond to situations in healthier, more constructive ways. When integrated with spiritual principles, therapy can reinforce and even deepen a person’s walk with God. Faith provides the foundation—our belief system, our purpose, our moral compass—while therapy helps us build on that foundation with emotional resilience and personal growth.

• Remember that God works through people. Just as He gives us pastors and spiritual leaders to guide us in faith, He also provides therapists to help us grow emotionally and mentally. Both are gifts. Both play distinct but complementary roles in our lives. Seeking therapy doesn’t mean a person lacks faith; it means they are stewarding their mental health wisely, using every resource God has made available.

• Faith and therapy are not mutually exclusive—they are powerful together. One grounds us in divine truth and hope, while the other teaches us how to navigate the world in alignment with those truths. When we embrace both, we become better equipped to face life’s trials with courage, wisdom, and grace.

Ultimately, trusting in God does not mean standing still. It means moving forward with Him—sometimes on our knees in prayer, and other times, across from a therapist who helps us unpack the burdens we carry. In both places, healing is possible.

If you’d like to explore how connecting faith and therapy can benefit you, EAP is here to help. Please call us today at (901) 683-5658 or toll free 1-800-880-5658 to schedule an appointment.

About the Author

Jared Davis, LPC-MHSP, NCC
Counselor

Jared Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Mental Health Services Provider designation. He received both his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and his Master’s degree in Counseling with a concentration in Couples/Marriage and Family Counseling in addition to his Individual Counseling training from East Tennessee State University. Jared has experience counseling children, teens, adults, and geriatric clients in inpatient and outpatient facilities. He has worked with clients with a wide scope of mental health issues, personality disorders, and substance abuse issues. He works with clients to help them increase their self-awareness and broaden their perspectives as he walks through the therapeutic process with them. Jared has moved a lot due to being a “military brat,” but is glad to call Memphis home now. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning new languages, and traveling.