Should I Focus My Practice on Just Christians?

Not too long ago, the phrase “Christian psychologist” was considered an oxymoron. Psychologists were often seen as secular manipulators who tried to fix sin issues with non-Biblical solutions. This, of course, is simply not true.

While there are still those out there who doubt the severity of mental issues and the effectiveness of professional counsel, most of Christianity has grown in their awareness of psychology. Like any part of the body, the mind can get sick, and when you’re sick, you need a doctor.

But we still recognize that the mind and spirit are closely linked.

Thus, Christian psychology and professional Christian counseling have become rapidly growing fields.

As a Christian practice, however, you may not be entirely certain how to market yourself. How do you reach these other Christians? And by pursuing them, will you push away other clients?

Let’s start with the first question you should figure out.

Are you placing your main emphasis on Christians?

There’s no right or wrong answer here. It’s up to you to decide which direction you want to take your practice. Do you want to be a Christian counselor/psychologist? Or do you want to be a counselor/psychologist who also happens to be a Christian?

Obviously the former will mean the vast majority of your clientele will identify as Christian. The latter will leave the possibilities more open ended. A bigger audience certainly sounds better in theory, and when done right, can bring great success.

Additionally, as a Christian, it allows you to bring the hope and peace of God to those who don’t know it. It’s certainly a Biblical approach.

“God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

However, so is helping, guiding, and strengthening your fellow Christians. As you weight the options, you may even wonder…

Can you market to just Christians?

Absolutely. After all, there are 140 million Americans who identify as Christians. And Christians seeking counselors and psychologists are much more likely to prefer a Christian psychologist.

If you’re just getting started in your practice, most professionals will advise you to choose a niche. That’s standard advice for virtually any business industry. We all operate in very saturated markets. The best way to stand out quickly is to be great at something specific.

The types of therapy you offer and the issues you focus on are great ways to hone in on a niche. By focusing specifically on Christians, you may limit the potential people you can reach, but you increase your ability to standout.

It’s a balancing act that will likely take some trial and error.

A super-simple way to gain more Christian leads.

Whether you’re focusing solely on Christians or not, Torrch is a great tool that delivers leads directly to your inbox. All you need to do is create a free profile, select your areas of expertise, and start receiving relevant, curated requests from people who need your services.

For those eager to grow a Christian client base, Torrch is a must have.