counseling resources
What is counseling?
Counseling is a process where individuals, couples or family members meet with a professional counselor to confidentially discuss difficulties, problems, or concerns in their lives.
What is a counselor?
Professional counselors help people:
identify goals and potential solutions to problems that cause emotional distress;
improve communication and ways to cope with life;
strengthen self-worth; and
promote positive behavior change and optimal well-being.
What is the difference between an LPC, an LMFT, and an LCSW?
A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) is a person who has completed a master’s degree in counseling (MA/MS) and is licensed in the practice of generalized counseling. If they choose to complete a degree that focuses on couples or family counseling, then they will receive a License in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) instead. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) has a master’s degree in clinical social work (MSW) and is also trained in the practice of counseling.
What is the difference between a counselor and a psychologist?
A Licensed Psychologist (LP) is a person who has completed a doctorate degree in counseling or psychology (PhD/PsyD) and is licensed in the practice of counseling. However, some psychologists are also allowed to provide testing and evaluation services because of their additional training.
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
It is important to note that counselors and psychologists do not prescribe medicine. If you are seeking medication, you might want to meet with a psychiatrist, a nurse practitioner, or your primary care physician.
When should you see a counselor instead of a priest?
A priest's role is to provide direction to help parishioners grow spiritually. This is often done through active participation in the sacramental and liturgical life, as well as the proper use of confession. Moreover, a priest can offer the spiritual wisdom of the Church and the teachings of Christ to help someone who is seeking to live a life of repentance. Priests can also provide pastoral counseling and support in addition to their spiritual guidance, but a priest’s experience and training in this area can vary greatly. It can be helpful to discuss your needs for pastoral care with your priest to better understand if that is something they can offer, or if they would recommend you reach out to a licensed counselor for additional support. It is important to remember that priests are often unable to provide the type of consistent and regular counseling care of a licensed professional.
Counselor Directory
The directory below is provided to help you find a local counselor who can support you. The list begins with members of St. Spyridon, but since you may prefer to connect with a counselor outside of St. Spyridon due to the complexity of having both a professional and personal relationship in a shared community, we have included other Orthodox Counselors in the surrounding area.
If you are wanting to connect with an Orthodox counselor outside of the surrounding area via telehealth, you can utilize the Directory of Mental Health Professionals that the Assembly of Bishops offers as a resource. We have also included a list of non-Orthodox Christian counselors and counseling centers in the surrounding area that may be a resource for you. We do not officially endorse any of these counselors or counseling centers as they are outside of the Orthodox Church, though we do not deny that they may be of help to you due to their background and training.
Non-Orthodox Christian counseling centers in the surrounding area
Questions to keep in mind while you search for a counselor
Where is the counselor located and what hours are they available?
Do you want to be seen in person, or are you open to virtual sessions?
What are your goals for counseling, and how often do you want to be seen?
Does the counselor have experience working with your specific concerns?
What is the counselor’s approach and what services do they offer?
If you have health insurance, will it cover the services with this counselor?
Are there limits to the number of sessions covered by your insurance?
If you are paying out of pocket, how much does the counselor charge?
What is your budget for counseling and how long do you want to be seen?
Final Thoughts
After you have gathered answers to these questions (or as much as you have been able to obtain), give yourself some time to sort through your options. You may want to set up phone consultations with a few prospective counselors to assess fit. Make sure that you take the time to find the counselor that is right for you. There is no one counselor that is good for everyone. It is important that you feel a sense of trust with your counselor and a confidence that they can help you. We hope that this resource list can serve as a beginning guide to help you locate a counselor to serve your current needs.
This Counseling Resource Guide was created by the mental health professionals at St. Spyridon Orthodox Church, Loveland, Colorado, October 2025.