Faith/Spirituality and Therapy
Therapy and faith at the Baylor Counseling Center (BUCC) – How does it work?
Many people express questions about the intersection of faith and psychotherapy. In the interest of clarity, we want to articulate some of our practices, values, and beliefs at this intersection. First off:
- No one is pressured to talk about faith at BUCC.
- Everyone is welcome to talk about faith at BUCC.
- The conversation is led by the preferences of the person coming for therapy.
- Therapists do initially ask about religion and spirituality (R/S), just as they do about other important aspects of identity.
Professional Context:
Therapy is a highly personal process of change that works best when people are free to share and discuss all aspects of their lives in a way that matches their own experience. Making room for R/S in therapy matches both our professional standards and the context of faith at Baylor.
We value R/S as dimensions of both student’s and clinician’s identity, experience, values, and coping. We also acknowledge that faith has a multitude of meanings and impacts for students. These can be visible or hidden, helpful and harmful. We are committed to creating a space where students can explore the full spectrum of their experience without judgment.
However, we are not pastors and providing spiritual direction is outside of our role. We regularly connect students to a chaplain or pastor if they can use more spiritually directive care. We can also collaborate with pastors and church staff if the student desires.
As we make room for students' faith experiences in therapy, we are guided by professional ethics, grounded in solid psychological science, and motivated by the healing love of Christ.
Our Practices in the Therapy Room
- Respect for Student Autonomy - Whether students identify as a person of faith, an atheist, or anywhere in between, we respect their right to choose their own path. Our work is guided by students' values and preferences, not a pre-set agenda.
- Self-Awareness - As clinicians, our own spiritual lives often motivate us to enter the helping professions and shape how we view healing and change. By cultivating awareness of these internal motivations, we ensure that they are used to serve student needs, rather than distract from them.
- Spiritually Conscious Care for Everyone - Every student who walks through our doors receives "spiritually conscious care." This means we will check in with you about your background and beliefs, then make sure treatment reflects and respects them.
- An Option for Integration - For students who want to explicitly weave their religious beliefs or practices into their therapy, many of our therapists have the capacity to offer "integrated" care. This requires specific professional training and is always conducted at the student's request and guided by the student’s beliefs.
Within this framework, each BUCC clinician approaches faith in therapy in their own distinct way. This variety is both normal and an asset to the students we serve, as it can mirror the unique concerns and preferences that students bring to our offices.
Students are active collaborators
Students at BUCC are encouraged to play an active role in shaping how faith and spirituality are addressed in their care. Helpful collaboration often involves:
- Stating preferences for talking (or not talking) about faith in therapy sessions, and
- Giving honest feedback to the therapist about what feels helpful or unhelpful.
If you have concerns or want to share feedback about your experience, please contact Dr. Annie Mathew, Director of Counseling Services: (254) 710-2467 or Annie_Mathew@baylor.edu
