Faith-Based Mental Health Support for Teens: The Role of Pastoral Referrals

When pastoral care referrals for mental health are made, the next step is choosing therapy that fits a family’s needs and beliefs. No two families are the same, and effective treatment respects both the clinical needs of the teen and the spiritual foundation of the home. 

Below are several types of therapy that are often integrated into faith-based mental health support for teens:

DBT and CBT in Faith-Integrated Care

Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are two common treatments for adolescents dealing with issues like mood disorders, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts. These forms of therapy can integrate faith into their treatment objectives, for example, religion-adapted CBT (RCBT).

Moreover, research has found that psychotherapeutic interventions that explicitly integrate clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs are equally effective in treating mental health concerns as traditional methods. For example, one study demonstrated that when clients’ spiritual beliefs were woven into RCBT, outcomes for depression and anxiety were just as effective as traditional CBT. Some participants even reported enhanced relevance and engagement.³

In faith-based mental health support for teens, approaches can be adapted to include scripture, prayer, or spiritual reflections. For example, when teaching mindfulness in DBT, a therapist might encourage a teen to combine breathing exercises with silent prayer. Plus, when reframing thoughts in CBT, a counselor may use passages that emphasize forgiveness, hope, and resilience. 

These techniques allow a teen to build emotional regulation skills without feeling that their values are being left behind.

Trauma Therapy for Teens in Faith Communities

Many teens carry wounds from trauma, whether from family conflict, bullying, abuse, or exposure to violence. Trauma therapy for teens in faith communities helps them process overwhelming experiences while rebuilding a sense of safety. 

Trauma-focused therapy can be combined with spiritual reflection, offering space to explore both the psychological and spiritual dimensions of healing. In fact, research shows that religious identity and spirituality can be important for meaning-making, as well as in understanding trauma and its symptoms. Because of this, spirituality is considered to be an important aspect to explore in child and teen therapy.⁴

In some programs, pastors may be invited to work with therapists, reinforcing the idea that faith and recovery can walk side by side. Trauma therapy in this context is about reducing symptoms and helping teens rediscover hope and resilience.

Therapy for Faith-Driven Families

Sometimes, it’s not only the teen that needs support, but the entire family. Therapy for faith-driven families can include joint sessions where parents and siblings learn to communicate better and address feelings of guilt or fear, as well as misunderstandings. 

Faith-sensitive counselors may use prayer circles, scripture readings, or reflective journaling as part of the process. These techniques can help parents respond to their child’s struggles with compassion rather than frustration. Over time, therapy for faith-driven families can strengthen bonds, reduce conflict, and create a more supportive home environment where recovery feels possible.

Horticultural Therapy in Faith Settings

Gardening may not sound like therapy at first, but for many teens, it becomes one of the most calming parts of treatment. In fact, research shows that horticultural therapy can improve the emotional intelligence, resilience, self-efficacy, and psycho-emotional health of children and teens.⁵ 

Putting hands in the soil, tending to plants, or watching a seed slowly take root can give them a sense of purpose and rhythm. Growth happens slowly but visibly, which can feel reassuring when the rest of life seems unpredictable.

Faith communities often connect naturally with this approach. Traditions that emphasize renewal, stewardship, or care for creation often mirror what is happening in a garden. Further, some programs include short prayers or scripture alongside the activity, turning time with plants into both a spiritual and emotional reset.

Alongside other benefits, gardening activities can also lower stress and physiological fatigue in children and teens.⁶ Therefore, for teens coping with trauma or anxiety, horticultural therapy can provide more than symbolism. It may offer a safe, steady place where emotions can settle and reflection feels possible. In this setting, healing is not forced. It’s quiet, calm, and steady.

Peer Group Therapy for Teens in Faith Communities

Adolescents often feel isolated in their struggles, but peer group therapy allows them to realize they are not alone. In faith communities, peer group therapy can be structured to combine open discussion with shared spiritual practices. For example, teens may talk about challenges while also engaging in group prayer, scripture study, or reflective exercises guided by both a therapist and a faith leader. 

Research shows that such peer group support has many benefits for young adults, including improved happiness, coping mechanisms, and self-esteem through shared lived experience.⁷

What’s more, peer groups can provide accountability, reduce stigma, and create bonds of encouragement. When teens share that they have similar experiences, it helps normalize their feelings and opens the door to deeper healing. Peer group therapy could also help teens practice healthy social skills in a setting where mutual respect and shared values are emphasized.