Faith-based counseling that's honest, effective, and built for real life.
You don't have to choose between good therapy and your Christian values. You can have both.
No Judgment, Just Help
Faith That Strengthens, Not Shames
No Spiritual Performance Required
You want help, not a sermon.
Maybe you're dealing with anxiety that prayer alone hasn't fixed. Or your marriage is struggling and you want a counselor who honors your commitment but also gives you real tools. Maybe you're wrestling with depression, past trauma, or just feeling stuck... and you want help from someone who understands your faith without making you feel judged for struggling.
Here's the thing: faith and struggle aren't opposites. You can love God and still feel anxious, stuck, or broken. That's not a failure. That's being human.
The problem is, a lot of Christian counseling feels like one extreme or the other. Either it's all Scripture and no psychology, or it's therapy that treats your faith like it doesn't exist. You're looking for something in the middle. Counseling that respects your beliefs but doesn't replace good clinical work with spiritual clichés.
That's what you'll find here.
I'm a Counselor and a Christian. Here's What That Means for You.
I use proven therapeutic methods. The kind backed by research and real clinical training. And when faith strengthens the process, we bring it in. When it doesn't, we don't force it. This is your therapy, not mine.
Think of it this way: if you broke your leg, you'd pray about it AND go to the doctor. Counseling works the same way. Faith and good clinical care aren't opposites. They work better together.
You don't have to perform or prove you're a good Christian to work with me. We start with where you actually are, not where you think you should be. And we build from there.
I'm Brent Woods, and I've spent years helping people work through anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, trauma, and life transitions.
I'm also a Christian. My faith shapes how I see people, healing, and hope. But here's what I want you to know upfront: my job isn't to preach at you or fix your theology. It's to help you understand what's really happening and give you tools that actually work.
Some of my clients want to talk about Scripture, explore how their faith connects to their healing, or bring prayer into our work together. Others just want a counselor who shares their values and won't be thrown off when they mention church or their beliefs. Both are completely fine. You get to decide what's helpful.
What We Work On Together
I help people navigate:
Anxiety and Worry – When your mind won't stop spinning and peace feels impossible to find.
Depression and Feeling Stuck – When everything feels heavy and you can't remember the last time you felt like yourself.
Marriage and Relationship Conflict – When you and your spouse can't stop fighting, or worse, you've stopped trying.
Trauma and Past Hurt – When something from your past keeps showing up in your present, and you're tired of it running your life.
Life Transitions and Hard Decisions – When you're facing a crossroads and you don't know which way to go.
Personal Growth and Healing – When you know something needs to change, but you're not sure where to start.
Whether you're in Lake Charles or anywhere in Louisiana or Texas, I offer both in-person and online counseling sessions. We'll work at your pace, in a way that makes sense for your life.
Here's How We Work Together
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No performance, no pretending. We begin with your actual life, your real struggles, and what's happening right now. Not where you think you should be. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, marriage conflict, or trauma, you don't have to have it all together or prove you're a good Christian to walk through my door. Christian counseling starts with honesty, not perfection. We work with what's true, not what looks good.
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We explore what's really behind your anxiety, pain, or relationship struggles. You'll learn why you feel stuck, where these patterns started, and what's keeping them going. This is where faith-based therapy goes deeper than just managing symptoms. We look at past experiences, unmet needs, and how your mind and body respond to stress. When integrating your faith helps the process, we bring it in. When it doesn't, we focus on what you actually need. Understanding the "why" is what makes lasting change possible.
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Insight alone won't fix things. You'll learn practical, proven tools to manage difficult emotions, communicate better, shift old patterns, and rebuild trust with yourself and others. Whether we're addressing anxiety, depression, marriage issues, or healing from trauma, we use evidence-based approaches that work. And we do it in a way that honors your Christian values without replacing good therapy with spiritual shortcuts. This is where healing becomes real, sustainable, and yours.
Imagine waking up without that weight on your chest. Imagine your marriage feeling safe and connected again. Imagine making decisions with clarity instead of fear, and your faith being a source of strength instead of pressure. You can build a life that feels calm, whole, and genuinely yours. That's what we're working toward.
When You’re Ready, I’m Here
Therapy is a big step, but you don't have to do it alone. Reach out, and let's talk about what's next.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No. You don't need to share my faith to be a client. Some people want a Christian counselor who understands their background but aren't actively practicing anymore. Others are curious about faith but not committed. And some just want a therapist in Lake Charles who won't be thrown off when they mention church or prayer. All of that works. We focus on what's true for you, not what I think should be true.
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No. Prayer and Scripture can be powerful, but they're not a replacement for therapy. If you're dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or marriage problems, we're going to use proven clinical methods that actually work. Faith-based counseling with me means integrating your beliefs when it helps, not using them as a Band-Aid. I'm a trained therapist, not just someone handing out Bible verses.
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That's completely okay. Doubt isn't a disqualifier for Christian counseling. A lot of people who come to therapy are wrestling with their beliefs, especially after betrayal, loss, or trauma. We can talk about it if you want, or we can focus on the issues you came in for and leave the faith questions alone. You're in control.
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Only if you want to. Some clients find prayer helpful during therapy, others don't. I'll never force it or make you feel judged for saying no. This is your space, and we shape it to fit what you actually need.
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No. It's real therapy that takes your faith seriously. I'm trained in proven methods like EMDR for trauma, cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety and depression, and evidence-based approaches for couples and relationship issues. That's the foundation. Your Christian beliefs come into the work when they add strength and meaning to what we're doing. If they don't fit the moment or the issue, we don't force them. The goal is helping you heal and move forward, not checking a religious box.
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Pastors are great for spiritual guidance, but most aren't trained therapists. I'm both a licensed professional counselor and a Christian, which means I understand theology and Scripture, but I'm also trained to work with trauma, addiction, anxiety, depression, and relationship issues in ways that create lasting change. You're getting clinical expertise, not just spiritual advice.
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I help people navigate anxiety, depression, marriage and relationship conflict, betrayal and infidelity, trauma, life transitions, and personal growth. I also specialize in sexual addiction recovery and betrayal trauma. Whether you're dealing with one issue or several, we'll work together to create a plan that fits your life and your goals.
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Absolutely. I work with couples all the time where one partner has faith and the other doesn't. Christian marriage counseling with me focuses on building connection, trust, and communication. Your beliefs can be part of the conversation if it's helpful, but they won't dominate the work we do together. We meet both of you where you are.