Faith and anxiety
When you pray about anxiety and it is still there
True North Vitality helps adults in Westmoreland County who are dealing with worry and anxiety and want their Christian faith to be part of counseling. Licensed counselors in Greensburg, Irwin and Ligonier, and online across Pennsylvania, combine practical anxiety skills with prayer or Scripture when a client asks, and refer to a doctor when that is needed.
- 3 Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselors
- Greensburg · Irwin · Ligonier
- Online across Pennsylvania
- Christ-centered counseling
This may help if
- You pray about your worries, but the racing thoughts and tight chest keep coming back.
- You feel guilty, as if anxiety means your faith is not strong enough.
- You lie awake going over the same fears about health, money, work or family.
- You want tools you can use during the day, not only reassurance.
- You would like a counselor who is comfortable talking about God, or who will leave faith out if you prefer.
Does anxiety mean my faith is weak?
No. Anxiety is a common human experience, and many sincere believers live with it. The National Institute of Mental Health describes generalized anxiety as worry about everyday things like health, money, work or family that is hard to control and often bigger than the situation calls for. It can also show up in the body as muscle tension, headaches, stomachaches, restlessness and trouble sleeping.
Many Christians carry an extra weight on top of the worry: shame for feeling it at all. Counseling can give you a place to set that shame down and look at anxiety honestly. Scripture itself speaks to people who are anxious, and invites them to bring those worries to God: "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
How can prayer and counseling work together?
Prayer and counseling do not compete. For many people of faith, prayer is a place to bring fear honestly, while counseling offers skills for what the mind and body do when fear takes over. Holding both can feel more complete than choosing one.
If you want faith included, your counselor may help you notice how your beliefs about God show up in your worry, pray with you at the start or end of a session, or talk through a passage that steadies you. If you would rather keep sessions focused on skills, that is respected too. You decide, and you can change your mind.
What practical tools will we work on?
Anxiety counseling here is active. Nicole Stout, MA, LPC, uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), DBT skills and mindfulness with adults. The National Institute of Mental Health names CBT as a commonly used and well-studied talk therapy for anxiety, and describes ACT as another option. Dave Kemerer, MA, LPC, also works with adults facing anxiety, and Nicoletta Whiteman, MA, LPC, often helps when anxiety is tied to trauma, grief or a big life change.
- Noticing anxious thoughts and testing them against what is actually true.
- Slowing your breathing and calming the body when worry spikes.
- Making room for uncomfortable feelings without letting them make every decision.
- Short mindfulness or quiet prayer practices you can use at home or at work.
- Looking at sleep, caffeine and daily routines, which can make anxiety better or worse.
A note on mindfulness
- Mindfulness here simply means paying calm attention to the present moment. Some clients pair it with quiet prayer or a short verse.
- The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health advises not using meditation or mindfulness in place of medical care, or as a reason to put off seeing a health care provider.
When should I see a doctor too?
Sometimes counseling is one part of the plan, not the whole plan. Talk with your doctor if anxiety came on suddenly, if you have chest pain, a racing heart or dizziness, or if worry is keeping you from work, sleep or daily life. A health care provider may do a physical exam to make sure another health problem is not causing the symptoms.
Medication can also help some people with anxiety. Our counselors do not prescribe, but they are glad to work alongside your doctor or a psychiatrist. Using medication when it is needed is not a sign of weak faith.
True North Vitality is not an emergency service. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911.
How do sessions start?
Online sessions are by secure video through SimplePractice for clients located in Pennsylvania at the time of each session. Some of our counselors work with insurance and others are self-pay; see our insurance page for details. You can compare counselors on find your therapist.
- Consultation callCall, email or use the contact form to set up a free 20-minute consultation by phone. Tell us whether you want faith to be part of counseling.
- Choose a counselor and placeDave sees clients at the Greensburg office and in Ligonier. Nicole sees adults in Greensburg, mostly in the evenings and on Saturdays. Nicoletta sees clients in Irwin. All three also meet online.
- First sessionsAfter paperwork, your counselor learns what anxiety looks like for you and sets goals with you. Weekly sessions are encouraged for the first month when possible.
Common questions
Is it wrong to take anxiety medication as a Christian?
Many Christians take medication for anxiety, and needing it says nothing about the strength of your faith. The decision belongs to you and your doctor or psychiatrist. Our counselors do not prescribe, but they can support you while you decide and work alongside your prescriber if you choose medication.
Do I have to be a Christian to get anxiety counseling here?
No. This page is written for Christians, but people who are open, unsure or of another faith are welcome too. Your counselor will use practical anxiety skills either way, and you can talk on the first call about how you would like faith to be part of it.
How long does anxiety counseling take?
It depends on what you are facing and your goals. Some people come for a few months and others longer. Your counselor will review progress with you along the way. Sessions are 55 minutes.
Can I do anxiety counseling online?
Yes. All three of our counselors offer online sessions by secure video through SimplePractice. You need to be located in Pennsylvania at the time of each session and in a private place where you can speak freely. Our online therapy page explains how it works.
References
Published by True North Vitality, a counseling practice of Pennsylvania Licensed Professional Counselors in Westmoreland County. Last updated November 2, 2026. This page is general information, not medical or mental health advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for care.
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- Online therapySecure video counseling with licensed counselors for clients located in Pennsylvania.Learn more
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Ready to take the first step?
Call, email or send a short message to book a free 20-minute consultation. We’ll help you choose a counselor and an office in Greensburg, Irwin or Ligonier, or meet online anywhere in Pennsylvania.