Many people today are searching for answers to life’s important questions, and the answers can often be found in spiritual counseling. Through various types of spiritual counseling, people can achieve both physical and emotional healing to illness and affliction, as well as peace of mind and a greater understanding of the world around them.

So what exactly is spiritual counseling? Some describe it in informal terms, as a way to learn about the world around you, and how you relate to it. Others lean toward a more formal definition; a form a counseling that includes a good deal of exploration and support regarding a person’s religious and values beliefs. Most counselors will agree, however, that the aim of spiritual counseling is to increase awareness of the spiritual nature of life, and use that awareness to improve one’s situation in life. This improvement is often seen in health and well-being issues including recovery from illness or affliction.

People turn to spiritual counseling for any number of reasons. Some are looking for philosophical answers, while others are seeking relief from the plagues of our society, including stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and other bodily ills. The common thread through the counseling stresses that the mind, the spirit and the body all work in tandem to create a healthy person, and any treatment that neglects one or more of these three things is not a complete therapy.

Take, for example, the mental issue of depression. Widely thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, depression can also manifest in physical aches and pains, as well as seriously emotional and spiritual issues like hopelessness and unbearable sadness. Treating just the physical symptoms alone may offer some relieve, but ultimately will not offer a complete holistic treatment.

A spiritual counselor can often help patients dealing with serious physical problems, like depression or serious illnesses like cancer. One of the ways a spiritual counselor can help is by teaching you skills to manage your stress and anxiety about the illness. Not only will you feel better mentally, but the effects of lowered stress on blood pressure, digestion and other bodily functions can be quite dramatic.

Spiritual counselors may hold many titles, including hypnotherapist, imagery counselor, pastoral counselor or Reiki master. There are a number of different types of spiritual counseling; the one that works for you depends on your values system, your comfort level, and how well you relate to the counselor on a personal level. Ultimately, the core of any spiritual counseling seeks to attain knowledge and guidance to help you understand your life and your role in society. It seeks to help you use your inner strength, combined with divine guidance, to help you make your way through this challenging and at time difficult journey on earth.

While most religious have an aspect of spirituality, most spiritual counselors are not affiliated with any particular religion. Their services are generally non-denominational and available regardless of your religious background. There are exceptions, of course; many churches and other religious organizations offer pastoral counseling, which is another form of spiritual counseling. To find a spiritual counselor, you might want to check with your local religious organizations, and local business directory. You can also find a large number of spiritual counselors online. Many of these counselors are willing to work remotely, either via email or by phone. You can also check several organizations dedicated to spiritual counselors and healers to help you find someone you can work with. To get the most out of your counseling session, it’s important that the person you choose is personable and makes you feel comfortable.