Christian Counseling in Chicago
Pneuma understands the importance of faith and the role it plays in your healing
If your faith is important to you, you may want it to be part of your counseling. Pneuma offers Christian counseling in Chicago for adults who want professional support with personal struggles, emotional concerns, or relationship difficulties. At Pneuma, your therapist provides clinical, trauma-informed care and respects your Christian beliefs. You decide whether and how faith, prayer, or Scripture enters your sessions. Your therapist will not push religious practices on you.
Chicago Christian counseling at Pneuma gives you space to discuss your concerns while considering the role your faith plays in your life. You can talk openly about what you are facing and decide how faith fits into the work you do with your therapist.
Faith-Based Counseling That Meets You Where You Are
At Pneuma, Christian counseling combines clinical care with respect for your Christian faith. You can discuss how your beliefs relate to your concerns, including emotional pain, relationship difficulties, or experiences that have challenged your faith. Your therapist will work with you at your pace rather than assume that faith must be part of every session.
You decide whether prayer or Scripture has a place in your sessions. You may want to discuss where God fits into a painful experience, pray with your therapist, or reflect on a passage of Scripture. You may also prefer to focus on your concerns without bringing these practices into the session. Your therapist will respect your choice.
You do not have to follow a particular prayer practice or discuss Scripture to receive care at Pneuma. The goal is to give you room to address what brings you to counseling while respecting the role your faith plays in your life.
Who We Help
Pneuma provides professional, trauma-informed therapy for adults and couples seeking structured support with personal and relationship concerns. Christian counseling can make room for your faith while you work through these concerns at your own pace.
We work with:
- Individuals facing anxiety, depression, grief, or the effects of trauma.
- Couples working through marriage strain, broken trust, or betrayal.
- Teens who need a safe place to talk, with support for their parents.
Common concerns include:
- Anxiety and depression
- Grief and loss
- Trauma
- Marriage strain
- Betrayal trauma
- Sex and pornography addiction
Sex and pornography addiction can be difficult to discuss when shame keeps you from asking for help. Pneuma’s approach to sex addiction emphasizes professional care without shame or sensationalism. Counseling can provide structured support as you address these behaviors and work toward change.
Christian Counseling services
What Christian counseling offers:
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- Faith-integrated counseling: Include your Christian faith in counseling at the level you choose.
- Respect for your beliefs: Work with a counselor who respects your faith without pushing religious practices.
- Dignity and respect: Receive care that treats you with dignity, regardless of your background or beliefs.
- Support throughout counseling: Receive professional support as you work through the concerns that bring you to therapy.
If you are seeking support for relationship concerns, learn more about couples counseling. For trauma-related care, explore EMDR therapy.
Unsure whether your current counselor respects your Christian beliefs? Contact Pneuma to ask about Christian counseling.
What Is the Difference Between Christian Counseling and Biblical Counseling?
Christian counseling integrates psychological principles and techniques with Christian faith and biblical teachings. Practitioners are typically licensed mental health professionals who incorporate their faith into their practice. They use evidence-based therapeutic methods, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), alongside spiritual guidance and prayer.
Biblical counseling, on the other hand, focuses primarily on the Bible as the ultimate guide for addressing life’s challenges. Practitioners often have extensive training in theology and pastoral care rather than formal psychological training. The primary goal is to help individuals understand and apply biblical principles to their lives.
Start your healing journey by filling out the form below.
Meet Our Christian Therapists in Chicago
Finding a therapist who respects your Christian faith can help you feel more comfortable discussing personal struggles. Pneuma offers Christian counseling as an approach that makes room for your faith while addressing your mental health concerns.
Our team includes therapists with experience in Christian counseling and faith-related concerns:
- Alexi Gianopulos, MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Works with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship issues, and spiritual concerns. His therapeutic approaches include Christian counseling, attachment-based therapy, and family systems.
- Emmanuel Perez, MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, NCC: Supports clients dealing with anxiety, depression, relationship conflicts, grief, trauma, and pornography addiction. His therapeutic approaches include Christian counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and attachment theory.
- Philip Kwong, MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Works with individuals navigating trauma, addiction, relationships, identity concerns, and spirituality or faith concerns. He also holds a BS in Christian Formation and Ministry from Wheaton College
To learn more about their backgrounds and therapeutic approaches, meet our team and read their full profiles.
In-Person in Chicago or Online Across Illinois
Pneuma Chicago’s office is located at 53 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1615, Chicago, IL 60604. Clients can attend in-person counseling at this location.
Pneuma also offers virtual counseling to clients throughout Illinois, allowing them to meet with a therapist without traveling to the Chicago office.
What to Expect in Your First Session
To begin Christian therapy in Chicago, complete the intake form below or call Pneuma at 312-898-1840 to schedule an appointment. The intake process helps the team understand your counseling needs and discuss the next steps.
During your first session, you can discuss what brought you to counseling and the concerns you want to address. You can also tell your therapist whether you want your Christian faith included in your sessions. Pneuma offers spiritual and religious integration for clients who want their faith values included in counseling.
Your therapist can adapt the counseling process to your needs and concerns. You can discuss your preferences for faith integration, including whether you want prayer to be part of your sessions.
Christian Counseling vs Biblical Counseling
Christian counseling integrates psychological approaches with Christian faith and biblical teachings. Licensed mental health professionals may include spiritual guidance and prayer when appropriate to the client’s preferences.
Biblical counseling centers on the Bible as a guide for addressing life’s challenges. Its approach emphasizes understanding and applying biblical principles to personal concerns. Counselors’ training and methods can vary, so avoid assuming every biblical counselor has the same qualifications.
For a fuller comparison, read our guide to the difference between Christian counseling and biblical counseling.
Insurance and Cost
Pneuma Chicago accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Choice PPO, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, and Aetna. The first two diagnostic interview sessions cost $225 each. These sessions help your therapist gather background information and develop your treatment plan. Subsequent sessions cost $190 each.
To verify your insurance coverage and costs, send Pneuma a photo of your insurance card and your date of birth. If your plan is not listed, ask about out-of-network benefits. You may need to pay the full session fee upfront and submit an invoice or superbill to your insurer for any eligible reimbursement. Pneuma also offers a sliding scale for clients facing financial hardship.
Christian Counseling in Chicago: FAQs
Pneuma Chicago charges $225 for each of the first two diagnostic interview sessions and $190 for subsequent sessions. The first two sessions help your therapist understand your background, concerns, and treatment needs. If you plan to use insurance, ask about your coverage and expected out-of-pocket costs before starting counseling.
Pneuma Chicago accepts Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Blue Choice PPO, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare/Optum, and Aetna. Coverage depends on your specific plan. To verify your benefits, provide a photo of your insurance card and your date of birth. If your plan is not accepted, ask about out-of-network benefits. You may need to pay upfront and submit an invoice or superbill for eligible reimbursement.
A Christian counselor or therapist incorporates Christian faith into counseling alongside mental health support. A Christian psychologist has doctoral-level training in psychology. However, professional titles alone do not confirm a provider’s exact qualifications. If you are looking for a Christian psychologist in Chicago, review the provider’s education, license, and services to determine whether they fit your needs.
You deserve dignity, respect, and compassion regardless of your religious background. Christian counseling can make room for your beliefs and explore how faith relates to your concerns. You can discuss your background, preferences, and goals with your therapist to determine an approach that feels comfortable for you.
Faith can be part of counseling when you want to include it in your sessions. You can discuss whether you would like to explore your Christian beliefs, spiritual concerns, or prayer during therapy. Your preferences and comfort level should guide how faith is incorporated into your counseling experience.
Christian counseling combines mental health support with Christian faith. Depending on your needs and your therapist’s approach, sessions may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, EMDR, prayer, or spiritual guidance. Counseling can help you explore anxiety, depression, and related concerns, but results vary from person to person. Your therapist can discuss suitable approaches based on your goals.
Christian counseling can help you process hurt, betrayal, and other painful experiences while exploring forgiveness and reconciliation. Forgiveness does not require you to restore trust or remain in an unhealthy relationship. Your therapist can help you consider healthy boundaries, work through difficult emotions, and decide what a healthy next step looks like for your situation.
Start Christian Counseling in Chicago
If you are looking for trauma-informed, faith-based counselling in Chicago, our team is here to help.
Complete the form below or call 312-898-1840 to contact Pneuma Chicago about Christian counseling. We welcome your questions about our services and how faith can be included in counseling at your pace.