Table of Contents
- Documentation Tips for Christian Counselors Working in Secular Settings
- Why Accurate Documentation Matters as Christian Counselors
- Tip #1: Stick to Observable Facts and Clinical Language for Christian Counselors
- Tip #2: Be Mindful About Including Prayer or Scripture
- Tip #3: Use Client’s Language with Clinical Framing
- Tip #4: Avoid Evangelism in Your Notes
- Tip #5: Stay Aligned with the Treatment Plan
- Tip #6: Use the SOAP or DAP Format
- Tip #7: Include Consent for Faith-Based Integration
- Tip #8: Avoid Over-Spiritualizing Clinical Symptoms
- Tip #9: Keep Session Goals Measurable
- Tip #10: Pray for Wisdom—But Document Clinically
- Final Thoughts
- FAQs
Documentation Tips for Christian Counselors Working in Secular Settings
Documentation Tips for Christian Counselors Working in Secular Settings
As Christian counselors, navigating the mental health field in a secular setting can be both a calling and a challenge. You're committed to honoring God in your practice while also meeting legal and ethical standards required by your state board, employer, and insurance providers. One of the most critical—and often overlooked—aspects of your practice is documentation.
Documentation is not just a bureaucratic task. It’s a tool that protects you, your clients, and your professional license. It also allows you to reflect your clinical expertise and ethical standards, even when your faith-based approach is not overtly stated. In this blog, we’ll explore essential documentation tips for Christian counselors working in secular environments, emphasizing honoring both professional guidelines and your spiritual convictions.
Why Accurate Documentation Matters as Christian Counselors
Whether you’re working in a private practice, hospital, school, or agency, your documentation must:
Meet legal standards
Uphold ethical codes (e.g., NASW, ACA, AAMFT, NBCC)
Serve as a clinical record
Protect you in case of audits, complaints, or subpoenas
There's an added layer for Christian counselors: ensuring your notes reflect clinical objectives and progress while staying true to your faith values, without crossing into proselytizing or spiritual advice that could be considered unethical in a secular space.
Tip #1: Stick to Observable Facts and Clinical Language for Christian Counselors
When writing session notes, describe what you observed, what was discussed, and what interventions you used. Use clinical terms that align with your treatment plan.
Instead of writing:
“Client said they were under spiritual attack.”
Write:
“Client reported experiencing intrusive thoughts, emotional heaviness, and sleep disturbances, which they described as a spiritual battle. Discussed coping strategies and scheduled a follow-up.”
This still honors your client’s worldview while maintaining a professional tone.
Tip #2: Be Mindful About Including Prayer or Scripture
If you and your client agree to include prayer or scripture in sessions, document this with client consent and always in a clinically relevant way.
Example:
“With client consent, the session opened with a brief prayer for peace and clarity. Client reported feeling calmer afterward and proceeded with discussing their grief symptoms.”
Avoid including long scripture references or theological interpretations in the record unless it was a therapeutic intervention discussed collaboratively with the client.
Tip #3: Use Client’s Language with Clinical Framing
If a client brings up spiritual concepts—like generational curses, demonic oppression, or hearing from God—you can document these while framing them in psychological terms when needed.
Example:
“Client shared feeling ‘cursed’ due to repeated family issues. Explored intergenerational trauma patterns and introduced genogram as a tool for family systems exploration.”
This allows you to respect the client's belief while focusing on their healing.
Tip #4: Avoid Evangelism in Your Notes
Even if you feel led spiritually during a session, avoid documenting anything that suggests evangelism, religious persuasion, or unsolicited faith advice in secular settings. If you recommend a biblical concept (e.g., forgiveness, renewal), document it as a therapeutic tool with client buy-in.
Poor documentation example:
“I told the client they needed to repent and receive Jesus to be free.”
Better:
“Discussed the concept of forgiveness as a pathway to emotional healing. Client shared that this aligns with their spiritual beliefs and expressed willingness to process past wounds.”
If you need more training and tools to help your client work through Unforgiveness, consider grabbing a copy of A Heart that Forgives or enrolling in our course, A Heart that Forgives.
Tip #5: Stay Aligned with the Treatment Plan
Each session note should connect to the client’s goals and treatment objectives. If a session veers into prayer or spiritual support, briefly tie it to therapeutic outcomes.
Example:
The session focused on managing anxiety. The client requested prayer, stating it helps reduce racing thoughts. Provided space for spiritual expression within the context of grounding techniques.”
This shows intentionality and alignment with the plan of care.
Tip #6: Use the SOAP or DAP Format
A structured note format helps maintain clarity and professionalism. Here’s how faith integration can fit naturally:
SOAP Format Example:
S (Subjective): The client reported ongoing sadness and said they’ve been praying for answers.
O (Objective): Tearful at times; slow speech; appeared fatigued.
A (Assessment): Symptoms consistent with a depressive episode. Client’s spirituality remains a source of both comfort and confusion.
P (Plan): Explore distorted beliefs related to self-worth in the next session. Provide psychoeducation on depression. Encourage journaling and prayer (client-initiated).
Tip #7: Include Consent for Faith-Based Integration
If you're operating within a secular agency but your client requests faith integration, make sure you document informed consent and include a statement like:
“Client has provided written consent for inclusion of faith-based interventions in sessions, including prayer, scripture, and discussion of spiritual values, when clinically appropriate.”
This provides protection for both you and your client.
Tip #8: Avoid Over-Spiritualizing Clinical Symptoms
Be cautious about framing everything in your documentation through a spiritual lens. Doing so could lead to concerns about competence or failure to address diagnosable issues.
Unethical Example:
“Client’s depression is a result of demonic influence. We rebuked the spirit and ended the session.”
Ethical Framing:
“Client attributes symptoms to spiritual warfare. Explored underlying thoughts of hopelessness, guilt, and shame. Introduced CBT worksheet for reframing negative beliefs.”
Tip #9: Keep Session Goals Measurable
Even if you’re supporting someone spiritually, your progress notes should still include measurable goals and track outcomes.
Instead of:
“Client is growing in their walk with God.”
Write:
“Client reports increased engagement in community and daily devotional time. Reports reduced isolation and improved mood.”
This ties spiritual growth to observable changes in behavior or emotion.
Tip #10: Pray for Wisdom—But Document Clinically
You can pray for your clients independently, outside of sessions. However, your notes should always reflect your role as a mental health professional. While prayer fuels your heart, documentation reflects your credentials.
Final Thoughts
Working in secular settings as a Christian counselor doesn’t mean you must abandon your faith—it means you must be wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove (Matthew 10:16). Your documentation should reflect professionalism, compassion, and clarity—serving both your client and your calling.
Let your clinical excellence and your spiritual discernment work hand in hand. With every progress note, you're not just protecting yourself legally—you’re stewarding your ministry with integrity.
Do you need more support?
Check out our book, Holy Spirit-Led Counseling.
FAQs
1. Can I include prayer or scripture in my therapy notes?
Yes, but only with informed client consent and when it's relevant to the therapeutic goals. Document it briefly and clinically. Avoid using long Bible passages or making it appear that you initiated faith-based content unless it's client-requested and tied to treatment.
2. How do I document when a client says they’re experiencing spiritual warfare?
Use the client’s own language while interpreting it through a clinical lens. For example, document that the client “reported distress related to intrusive thoughts, emotional heaviness, and spiritual concerns,” and note any coping tools you explored during the session.
3. Is it okay to suggest prayer or faith-based practices in a secular setting?
Only if the client initiates or expresses openness to these practices. You should never evangelize or push spiritual practices. Always have documented informed consent in your intake paperwork if faith integration may be part of therapy.
4. What if I feel spiritually led during a session—should I include that in my notes?
No. Your session notes should reflect your professional role, not your personal spiritual experiences. While you may pray or seek discernment privately, your documentation must remain clinically focused and ethically sound.
5. How can I balance honoring my Christian values with meeting professional documentation standards?
The key is wisdom and discernment. Use clinical language, stick to treatment goals, and frame spiritual content as part of the client’s worldview. You're called to be both clinically competent and spiritually grounded—neither needs to be compromised when documentation is done with integrity.
