5 Essential Questions to Ask When Choosing a Spiritually-Informed Therapist

Finding a therapist who understands your spiritual beliefs and practices can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You want someone who won't dismiss your connection to astrology, energy work, or other spiritual practices, but you also need a licensed professional who can provide evidence-based treatment for your mental health concerns.

The intersection of spirituality and mental health is delicate territory. Too far in either direction—dismissing spirituality entirely or replacing clinical treatment with spiritual bypassing—can leave you feeling misunderstood and inadequately supported. The key is finding a therapist who can honor your spiritual path while providing the professional expertise you need.

After years of working with clients who come to therapy already engaged in spiritual practices, I've identified the essential questions that will help you find a therapist who can truly serve your whole self.

Question 1: "How do you integrate spiritual beliefs and practices into your therapeutic approach?"

Why this matters: This question reveals whether the therapist has a thoughtful, intentional approach to spirituality in therapy or if they're just saying they're "spiritual" to attract clients.

What to listen for:

• Specific examples of how they've worked with clients' spiritual beliefs

• Clear boundaries between their role as a therapist and spiritual guide

• Understanding of different spiritual traditions and practices

• Emphasis on YOUR spiritual beliefs rather than pushing their own

Red flags:

• Vague answers like "I'm spiritual too" without specifics

• Trying to convert you to their particular spiritual path

• Dismissing traditional therapy methods in favor of "spiritual healing only"

• Claims that spiritual practice alone can cure mental illness

Green flags:

• "I help clients explore how their spiritual practices can support their mental health goals"

• "I'm trained in working with religious and spiritual diversity"

• "I respect that you know your spiritual path best—my job is to help you use it as a resource for healing"

Question 2: "What's your training and experience in working with spiritual and religious diversity?"

Why this matters: Good intentions aren't enough. You need someone who has actual training in integrating spirituality and mental health, not just personal spiritual experience.

What to look for:

• Specific certifications or training in spiritual integration

• Experience with your particular spiritual tradition or similar ones

• Understanding of spiritual trauma and religious abuse

• Continuing education in spirituality and mental health

Questions to ask:

• "Have you worked with clients who practice [your specific spiritual path]?"

• "What training have you received in spiritual integration?"

• "How do you handle conflicts between spiritual beliefs and mental health treatment?"

Warning signs if they:

• Have no formal training in spiritual integration

• Only understand one spiritual tradition (usually their own)

• Can't discuss spiritual bypassing or toxic spirituality

• Seem uncomfortable with practices they don't personally engage in

Question 3: "How do you address spiritual bypassing in therapy?"

Why this is crucial: Any therapist working with spiritual clients MUST understand spiritual bypassing—the tendency to use spiritual practices to avoid dealing with psychological wounds or difficult emotions.

What you want to hear:

• A clear definition of spiritual bypassing

• Examples of how they've addressed it with clients

• Understanding that spiritual practices can sometimes be used defensively

• Ability to balance honoring spiritual practices while addressing underlying issues

This question screens out therapists who:

• Don't know what spiritual bypassing is

• Encourage using spirituality to avoid difficult therapeutic work

• Can't differentiate between healthy spiritual practice and avoidance

A good answer sounds like: "Spiritual bypassing happens when we use spiritual concepts or practices to avoid dealing with painful emotions or trauma. I help clients explore whether their spiritual practices are supporting their healing or helping them avoid necessary therapeutic work. We can honor your spiritual path while still doing the deep emotional work that therapy requires."

Question 4: "What are your views on combining traditional therapy techniques with spiritual practices?"

Why this matters: You want someone who sees spirituality and evidence-based therapy as complementary, not competing approaches.

What to listen for:

• Comfort with both spiritual and clinical interventions

• Understanding of when each approach is most helpful

• Ability to integrate rather than compartmentalize

• Respect for both spiritual wisdom and clinical research

Ideal responses:

• "I use evidence-based therapy techniques as my foundation and help clients explore how their spiritual practices can enhance this work"

• "Sometimes we might use meditation alongside cognitive behavioral therapy, or explore how your spiritual beliefs relate to your thought patterns"

• "I believe healing happens in many ways—therapy provides structure and skills while spirituality often provides meaning and connection"

Concerning answers:

• "I don't really use traditional therapy methods—I focus only on spiritual healing"

• "Therapy and spirituality should be kept completely separate"

• "Your spiritual practices are probably getting in the way of real therapeutic work"

Question 5: "Can you give me an example of how you've helped a client integrate their spiritual practice with their mental health treatment?"

Why this is the most important question: This moves beyond theory into practical application. You want to know they've actually done this work successfully.

What makes a good example:

• Respects client confidentiality while sharing general approaches

• Shows understanding of the complexity involved

• Demonstrates both spiritual sensitivity and clinical skill

• Illustrates how they've navigated potential conflicts

A strong response might sound like: "I worked with a client who practiced tarot reading but was struggling with anxiety about the future. We explored how their divination practice could be reframed as a tool for self-reflection rather than fortune-telling, which was increasing their anxiety. We combined this spiritual reframing with anxiety management techniques, helping them use their cards for mindfulness and self-awareness while developing healthier ways to cope with uncertainty."

Red flags:

• Can't provide any examples

• Shares identifying details about clients

• Examples show poor boundaries or unprofessional conduct

• Stories that sound too good to be true

Additional Considerations

Practical Questions to Also Ask:

• "Do you have experience with [your specific mental health concerns]?"

• "What's your approach to medication—do you work with prescribers who understand spiritual clients?"

• "How do you handle crisis situations while respecting spiritual beliefs?"

• "Do you have experience with spiritual emergence/emergency?"

Trust Your Intuition

Beyond these clinical questions, pay attention to how you feel during the consultation:

• Do you feel heard and understood?

• Are they curious about your spiritual path without being invasive?

• Do they seem genuine in their respect for your beliefs?

• Can you imagine feeling safe being vulnerable with this person?

The Bottom Line

A good spiritually-informed therapist will:

• Honor your spiritual path without abandoning clinical expertise

• Help you use your spiritual practices as resources for healing

• Address areas where spirituality might be creating problems

• Maintain appropriate boundaries between therapy and spiritual guidance

• Integrate evidence-based treatment with spiritual wisdom

Remember, you're not just looking for someone who shares your beliefs—you're looking for a skilled professional who can help you heal while respecting the spiritual dimension of your life.

Ready to Find Your Ideal Therapeutic Match?

Choosing a spiritually-informed therapist is a deeply personal decision that can transform your healing journey. For highly sensitive people who feel caught between traditional therapy and spiritual practice, finding someone who truly understands both worlds can be life-changing.

As an art therapist who specializes in helping spiritually-oriented clients integrate their practices with evidence-based mental health treatment, I understand the unique needs of people who refuse to compartmentalize their spiritual and psychological healing.

I'm offering free 20-minute consultation calls where we can discuss your specific needs, spiritual practices, and therapeutic goals to determine if we might be a good fit for working together.

Book Your Free Consultation Here

Your spiritual path and your mental health aren't separate journeys—they're interwoven aspects of your wholeness that deserve to be honored together. You deserve a therapist who sees the full spectrum of who you are and can support your healing on every level.