Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Keeping track of private practice expenses doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. This colorful Excel workbook helps therapists organize income, log practice costs, track CEUs and license renewal deadlines, and record business mileage in one place. Your dashboard breaks down private practice expenses by category, shows monthly and year-to-date profit, and tracks lost revenue from late cancellations. It also calculates how much to set aside for quarterly estimated taxes. If you’ve been putting off tax season because your private practice expenses are scattered across receipts and bank statements, this workbook gives you one organized system to spend less time on spreadsheets and more time with clients.

Disclaimer & Terms of Use

Not Financial or Tax Advice This spreadsheet is provided for educational and organizational purposes only. I am a therapist sharing a tool designed for private practice, not a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), financial advisor, or legal professional. The tax estimations, calculations, and Schedule C categorizations included in this template are meant as a general guide and do not constitute professional financial advice. Always consult with a qualified tax professional regarding your specific business structure, tax liabilities, and deductions.

Use at Your Own Risk This template is provided “as is” without any warranties, express or implied. While care has been taken to ensure the formulas and structures are accurate, you are solely responsible for verifying your own data and the resulting calculations. I assume no liability for any errors, altered formulas, miscalculations, or financial repercussions that may result from using this tool.

Privacy & HIPAA Compliance You are responsible for ensuring your use of this tracking tool complies with HIPAA and your local privacy laws. Please use de-identified client codes rather than full names, and ensure the device where you save this file is appropriately secured.

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Liking our free content and therapist resources? Check out our shop items to help keep this platform running! We have both digital and physical Therapist Planners available to download instantly or order through Amazon! God bless you and thank you for your support!

What’s Inside our Therapist Planner!

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist Planner – physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Ultimate Digital Therapist Planner

What’s Included:

Streamline your practice and protect your boundaries with this all-in-one digital toolkit, featuring an automated Excel caseload dashboard, color-coded Google Calendar templates, and a printable PDF planner for session notes and supervision prep.

Click to learn more!

click here to purchase

Thank You

Thank you to this amazing community that is growing in ways I could have never imagined. I hope you enjoyed this free resource and if you have any topic requests feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email! I hope you have the best and most blessed day ever.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The post Free Private Practice Expenses Excel Sheet for Therapists appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Check out this free therapy boundaries worksheet ready to use with your client for the upcoming holiday season! Feel free to share this therapy boundaries worksheet with other collages and mental health providers!

SUPPORT OUR BLOG!

Liking our free content and therapist resources? Check out our shop items to help keep this platform running! We have both digital and physical Therapist Planners available to download instantly or order through Amazon! God bless you and thank you for your support!

What’s Inside our Therapist Planner!

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist Planner – physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Ultimate Digital Therapist Planner

What’s Included:

Streamline your practice and protect your boundaries with this all-in-one digital toolkit, featuring an automated Excel caseload dashboard, color-coded Google Calendar templates, and a printable PDF planner for session notes and supervision prep.

Click to learn more!

click here to purchase

Thank You

Thank you to this amazing community that is growing in ways I could have never imagined. I hope you enjoyed this free resource and if you have any topic requests feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email! I hope you have the best and most blessed day ever.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The post Free Printable Therapy Boundaries Worksheet appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Feel free to use this free tracking clinical hours excel log! Track everything from direct, indirect hours, insurance renewal date, supervision, burnout levels and so much more! Feel free to share this practicum hours log with other students as well!

Download the Pre-License Licensing Hour Tracker Excel Sheet Below

SUPPORT OUR BLOG!

Liking our free content and therapist resources? Check out our shop items to help keep this platform running! We have both digital and physical Therapist Planners available to download instantly or order through Amazon! God bless you and thank you for your support!

What’s Inside our Therapist Planner!

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist Planner – physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Ultimate Digital Therapist Planner

What’s Included:

Streamline your practice and protect your boundaries with this all-in-one digital toolkit, featuring an automated Excel caseload dashboard, color-coded Google Calendar templates, and a printable PDF planner for session notes and supervision prep.

Click to learn more!

click here to purchase

Thank You

Thank you to this amazing community that is growing in ways I could have never imagined. I hope you enjoyed this free resource and if you have any topic requests feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email! I hope you have the best and most blessed day ever.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The post FREE Pre-Licensed Template Log for Tracking Clinical Hours appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Feel free to use this free practicum hours log tracker! Track everything from direct, indirect hours, insurance renewal date, supervision, and so much more! Feel free to share this practicum hours log with other students as well!

Download the Practicum Hours Log Excel Sheet Below

SUPPORT OUR BLOG!

Liking our free content and therapist resources? Check out our shop items to help keep this platform running! We have both digital and physical Therapist Planners available to download instantly or order through Amazon! God bless you and thank you for your support!

What’s Inside our Therapist Planner!

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist Planner – physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Ultimate Digital Therapist Planner

What’s Included:

Streamline your practice and protect your boundaries with this all-in-one digital toolkit, featuring an automated Excel caseload dashboard, color-coded Google Calendar templates, and a printable PDF planner for session notes and supervision prep.

Click to learn more!

click here to purchase

Thank You

Thank you to this amazing community that is growing in ways I could have never imagined. I hope you enjoyed this free resource and if you have any topic requests feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email! I hope you have the best and most blessed day ever.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The post Free Student Therapist Practicum Log Tracker appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Free Fall Coloring Pages Printables

Are you looking for free fall coloring pages, printable and easy to use? Check out our free fall coloring pages and other free resources ready for you to use instantly! From free fall coloring page printables, bible studies, free worksheets, printable journals, devotionals and more! We have just about anything you might need! Check out these free fall coloring pages printable ready to use now!

Thank You

Thank you to this amazing community that is growing in ways I could have never imagined. I hope you enjoyed this free resource and if you have any topic requests feel free to leave a comment or shoot us an email! I hope you have the best and most blessed day ever.

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

The post 5 Free Fall Coloring Pages Printables for Christians appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current Student working toward her PHD learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Are you looking for a bible study about money? Are you grappling with your faith wondering if you stress means you are a bad Christian? Are you wanting practical tips to combat the stress surrounding money? Then today’s bible study about money is meant for you! In this post we will discuss the impact of financial stress on the brain and seven practical tips to help you enjoy the present moment, while keeping your faith in Christ!

A Bible Study About Money

When the math isn’t adding up…

It’s midnight, and your chest feels tight. Your jaw is clenched and your brain is doing mental gymnastics trying to figure out your finances.

Rent…

Car payment…

The house repairs you weren’t prepared for…

Groceries, doctor bills, electricity, water….

They are all adding up and you don’t seem to have enough.

You’ve added and subtracted and calculated over and over but your brain will not let up. The stress of finances is wreaking havoc on your sleep. When money gets tight it doesn’t just affect your pocketbook or quality of living, it affects us on a physical, mental, and spiritual level.

Some will say you need to spend less and work harder, while others will pat you on the shoulder and say to “just trust God”. Both are well intentioned, both sting like a bee. You are trying, you are praying, and you are waiting. But the stress still takes a toll. Having faith does not replace wisdom, and neither faith nor wisdom is supposed to shame you.

The stress you are feeling from financial stress shows that your nervous system is operating exactly how Christ designed it too! However, we are not designed to operate in a constant state of stress. So how do we navigate life when finances are literally stressed out to the depth of our core?

Today, we are going to look at just that. We are going to learn what actually happens in our bodies when financial stress arises and learn practical steps to help you calm your nervous system to stop the spiral between each bill’s due date.

How Financial Stress Affects the Body

Even before you can verbally say “I can’t afford this” apart of your brain is already sounding the alarm, your amygdala. Your amygdala is your brains alarm system. It helps scan your environment of any threats and danger. So, when your bank account is overdrawn it can view that negative balance as the same danger as if a bear was chasing after you. Our brain is preprogramed to scan our environments for danger because it wants to keep us safe.

At the same time, something else is occurring within our brains. The strain of financial stress does not only affect the amygdala but also affects the prefrontal cortex (which is responsible for planning, patience, and clear-headed decisions). Under enough stress, the prefrontal cortex becomes underactive, with the amygdala becoming hyperactive.

This is why when stress levels are high, sitting down to make a game plan literally feels impossible. It’s not that you aren’t disciplined enough or that you don’t care. Your brain is actually actively fighting against using the exact part of your brain that is structured to help you plan and make clear decisive decisions.

Developing a Type of Faith That Leaves Room for Your Body

It is sad to see parts of Chrisitan culture that views stress as a lack of faith or spiritual failure. However, the same God the created the complexities of the universe and galaxies also created your nervous system and called it good.

Throughout scripture we see many keep figures struggling with the weight of this world and we do not view it as a lack of faith. Instead, we view their stories of hardship as devoted servants viewing the trials of life a record and account of the goodness and faithfulness of our Lord.

Job, David, Elijah, Paul, Thomas, Peter, Noah, David and many others wrestled with the weight of this world. And the beautiful this is God did not design us to face these trial and tribulation alone. He expects us to grapple with the hardships of this life, but more importantly to lean upon Him.

In Matthew 6 He says, “Do not worry about tomorrow,” is not the Lord shaming us for struggling with the stress of this life, but rather a reminder that tomorrow will have its own worries and there is no point on carrying the weight of tomorrow instead of the present day. He’s not shaming us for our anxiety but rather reminding us to not let the stress of tomorrow steal away the moments we have access too, right here and right now.

Having spiritual maturity and wisdom about stress is not pretending it does not exist. Rather it is the act of acknowledging the trials of this life and allowing yourself to have the act of faith in leaning on Him, despite our mind wanting to fix it immediately.

This blog post is not about finding ways to overcome financial insecurity. Instead, this post was written to remind ourselves that even when the world feels as if it is on fire, we have the capacity to move out of the fight-or-flight response and move into the present moment. Now let’s look at seven practical tips to help us move out of financial stress and into enjoying the beautiful present moment the Lord has blessed us with today!

Seven Ways to Steady Yourself When the Bills Don’t Balance

1. Trigger the Mammalian Dive Reflex: When you find yourself overwhelmed and starting to spiral about financial stress, skip the deep breathing and shock your nervous system. Splashing cold water onto your face activates the mammalian dive reflex, which is the biological response that instantly slows your heart rate and causes your nervous system to slow/calm down.

2. Use “Visuospatial Interruption” for Acute Shocks: Did you know that a game like Tetris can block your brain from processing a highly stressful event as traumatic? Trauma research has shown that playing highly visual three dimensional games for 15 minutes after receiving terrible news interrupts the brain from creating it as a traumatic event.

3. Practice “Self-Distancing” (The Third-Person Rule): Talking to yourself in the third person (e.g., “What should [Your Name] do right now?”) creates psychological distance. This reduces amygdala activation and drastically improves wise decision-making.

4. Utilize Bilateral Stimulation via “Walking Prayer”: EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation (engaging the left and right sides of the brain alternately) to process trapped stress. A brisk walk does this naturally.

5. Close the “Zeigarnik Loop”: The Zeigarnik Effect states that the human brain fixates on unfinished tasks, causing insomnia and panic. Writing a raw, unedited “brain dump” of every financial stressor gets them out of your working memory.

6. Try Cognitive Defusion (Sing Your Fears): Acceptance and Commitment Therapy uses “defusion” to detach from scary thoughts. Instead of having an internal battle within your mind, take the thought “I’m going broke,” sing it out loud to the tune of Happy Birthday. It sounds absurd, but it strips the thought of its neurological threat.

7. Values-Based Behavioral Activation: Scarcity paralyzes us. Doing one small, free activity that aligns with your deep values, like helping out a friend, interrupts financial paralysis and restores an individual’s sense of capability.

Christian Mental Health Book Recommendation

Read or Listen to some of the many books recommended on our blog for by signing up for a FREE Audible, Amazon Prime, or Kindle Unlimited FREE TRIAL.

You can read/listen to books available on audible, amazon. Audible, Prime and Kindle unlimited book availability varies by book and publisher and is not available for all books. Check availability for each book at your own discretion.

The Money Anxiety Cure: Why Half the Country Lives Paycheck to Paycheck by Dr. Godswill Olemgbe and Dr. Gee Description: This read bypasses standard spreadsheet advice to focus directly on the scarcity mindset that keeps us locked in a state of panic. The authors use a mix of behavioral science and faith to show how practicing active generosity and contentment can physically disrupt the cycle of financial fear. It is perfect for anyone feeling burned out by decision fatigue who wants to rebuild their relationship with money from the inside out.

Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts by Paul David Tripp Description: Instead of handing you another rigid budgeting framework, Tripp digs into the emotional and spiritual reasons behind why we stress over our bank accounts. He points out that true financial peace doesn’t come from simply earning more, but from completely surrendering our view of wealth to the Creator’s design. The book acts as a gentle reset for your heart, helping you detach your personal value from the cultural pressures of materialism.

Financial Anxiety by Brendan J. Barnicle Description: Written by a rector, this short book confronts the uncomfortable reality of money shame head-on, creating a safe space to talk about economic fears. Barnicle challenges the taboo nature of money within church walls and gives readers permission to bring their financial stress out of the dark. It’s an incredibly validating resource for anyone who feels isolated by their money struggles and wants to connect their faith to their financial reality.

Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know struggling to find peace and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline you all have the best and most blessed day!

The post 7 Tips for Financial Stress as a Chrisitan appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

TLCMH NEw Shop Releases

Bookmarks, journals, planners, and so much more!

Sermon Notes Journal – physical copy

What’s Included:

Bridge the gap between hearing God’s Word on Sunday and living it out on Monday with dedicated spaces for sermon notes, deeper study, life application, and prayer.

click here to purchase on amazon

14-week Adhd Planner – physical copy

What’s Included:

Overcome task paralysis and manage distractions with this faith-based ADHD daily planner, featuring prioritized task breakdowns, daily timelines, and an “Oops, I Forgot” safety net.

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist planner- Physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Therapist Planner – physical copy

What’s Inside?

Client Schedule & Session Notes, Caseload Management,
Supervision management,
Practice Administration, CEU deadlines tracking,
Burnout & Self-Care Tracker

click here to purchase on amazon

Digital Sermon Journal

What’s Included:

Bridge the gap between hearing God’s Word on Sunday and living it out on Monday with dedicated spaces for sermon notes, deeper study, life application, and prayer.

click here to purchase

14-week ADHD Planner digital donwload

What’s Included:

Overcome task paralysis and manage distractions with this faith-based ADHD daily planner, featuring prioritized task breakdowns, daily timelines, and an “Oops, I Forgot” safety net.

click here to purchase

Ultimate Digital Therapist Planner

What’s Included:

Streamline your practice and protect your boundaries with this all-in-one digital toolkit, featuring an automated Excel caseload dashboard, color-coded Google Calendar templates, and a printable PDF planner for session notes and supervision prep.

Click to learn more!

click here to purchase

7 Digital Christian Mental Health Book Marks

What’s Included:

Nurture your mind and faith with this digital download of seven printable bookmarks, featuring Christian mental health affirmations to bring daily encouragement and peace to your reading routine.

click here to purchase

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline you all have the best and most blessed day!

The post Our Planners and Journals Are Now Available! appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current Student working toward her PHD learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Are you looking for Christian mental health books to help you on your mental health journey? Well look no further! Today, I have listed 33 Christian mental health books that you can read TODAY! These books cover various Christian mental health topics aimed to help Christians looking to learn more about mental health, individuals in ministry, and even Therapists looking to incorporate one’s faith into the therapy room! Let’s get started!

Read or Listen to all the following books for FREE by signing up for a free Audible, Amazon Prime, or Kindle Unlimited FREE TRIAL.

You can read/listen to books available on audible, amazon prime, and KDP!

General Christian Mental Health Books

This section of books is perfect for anyone walking through anxiety, depression, grief, or emotional struggle who wants Scripture-rooted encouragement alongside practical, honest help.

Anxious: Choosing Faith in a World of Worry – By Amy Simpson

Description: Simpson grew up watching her mother battle untreated mental illness, and that history shapes every page of this book. She pushes back on the well-meaning but hollow advice to simply “pray harder,” instead walking readers through the real difference between spiritual unease and a nervous system that’s stuck in overdrive. For anyone who’s felt talked down to by their own church, this one lands differently.

You’re Going to Be Okay: Encouraging Truth Your Anxious Heart Needs to Hear – By Holley Gerth

Description: This is the book to hand someone in the middle of a panic spiral, not after it. Short chapters, a Scripture verse tucked into nearly every page, and prayers written like a friend is sitting beside you — Gerth built this for the moments when a heavier read just isn’t possible.

No More Faking Fine: Ending the Pretending and Filling Your Heart with Hope – By Esther Fleece Allen

Description: Allen lost her mother and watched her marriage fall apart, and out of that wreckage she rediscovered something the modern church rarely talks about: lament. This book makes the case that telling God the truth about your pain, instead of performing okay-ness, is where real healing actually starts.

A Grief Observed – By C.S. Lewis

Description: Lewis wrote this in the raw months after losing his wife, Joy, and originally published it under a pseudonym because it felt too exposed to claim. Decades later it’s still one of the most honest things ever written about doubting God while grieving someone you loved — no tidy bow, just a brilliant mind falling apart in real time.

Spurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for Those Who Suffer from Depression – By Zack Eswine

Description: Charles Spurgeon was one of the most celebrated preachers of his century, and he also battled crushing depression his entire adult life. Eswine mines Spurgeon’s own sermons and letters to show that mental darkness and deep faith have coexisted in far greater saints than us — and that’s oddly comforting.

This Too Shall Last: Finding Grace When Suffering Lingers – By K.J. Ramsey

Description: Ramsey is a licensed counselor who also lives with a chronic illness that isn’t going away, and she got tired of Christian platitudes promising quick resolution. This book argues for a slower, sturdier theology — one where God stays close in suffering that simply doesn’t end on our timeline.

I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die: Moving Through Depression, Suicidal Ideation, and the Dark Night of the Soul – By Sarah J. Robinson

Description: The title alone tells you Robinson isn’t interested in softening the subject. She writes from her own experience with suicidal thoughts, refusing the shame that so often gets layered onto Christians who struggle this deeply, and hands readers real, tested tools instead of easy reassurances.

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are – By Ann Voskamp

Description: Voskamp set out to write down one thousand specific things she was grateful for, expecting it to feel forced. Instead, the practice slowly rewired how she experienced her own hard, ordinary days — and this book is her invitation for you to try the same dare.

Broken Walk: 7 Truths to Help You Grieve Like You Mean It – By Gary Roe

Description: Roe has spent decades as a hospice chaplain sitting with grieving families, including parents who’ve lost a child, and he doesn’t flinch from how brutal that grief actually is. Structured more like a devotional than a lecture, this book keeps repeating one core message: you were never meant to carry this alone.

Grace for the Afflicted: A Clinical and Biblical Perspective on Mental Illness – By Matthew S. Stanford

Description: Stanford teaches psychology and has watched church culture do real damage with myths like “mental illness means weak faith” or “it’s just a demon.” He takes those myths apart one by one, then rebuilds a picture of mental illness that’s medically honest and still fully rooted in Scripture.

The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery – By David G. Benner

Description: Benner spent a career as a psychologist noticing how many of us are exhausted from performing a version of ourselves we think God and other people want. This book is a quieter, more contemplative read, gently pointing toward the freedom of being fully known — flaws included — and fully loved anyway.

Ministry Leaders Wanting to Educate Themselves on Mental Health

Written for pastors, elders, small-group leaders, and anyone in church leadership who wants to shepherd people well through mental health struggles and stay healthy themselves.

Mental Health and Your Church: A Handbook for Biblical Care – By Steve Midgley and Helen Thorne

Description: Midgley is a psychiatrist and Thorne trains biblical counselors, and together they’ve built the book they wish every elder board had before a crisis hits. It walks leaders through depression, anxiety, psychosis, and addiction case by case, while being clear-eyed about when the right move is calling a doctor, not just praying harder.

Mental Health and the Church: A Ministry Handbook for Including Children and Adults with ADHD, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, and Other Common Mental Health Conditions – By Dr. Stephen Grcevich

Description: Grcevich has spent his career as a psychiatrist studying why people with mental health conditions quietly stop showing up to church. He names the specific barriers — sensory overload, stigma, isolation — and then hands leaders an actual plan for building a congregation where those same people can stay.

When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse – By Chuck DeGroat

Description: DeGroat is a therapist who’s counseled plenty of people wounded by leaders who never should have led. He puts language to the manipulation and control that too many churches quietly tolerated for years, and then offers something harder to find: an actual path toward a congregation’s healing.

Troubled Minds: Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission – By Amy Simpson

Description: Simpson makes an argument that’s simple but rarely acted on — caring for people with mental illness isn’t an optional side ministry, it’s core to what the church is supposed to be doing. She replaces fear and secondhand misinformation with a clear, grace-first framework any leadership team can actually use.

Soul Care for Wounded Healers – By Bethany Dearborn Hiser

Description: Hiser writes for the people who spend all day pouring into everyone else — pastors, chaplains, ministry volunteers — and quietly run dry doing it. This book doesn’t just diagnose burnout; it makes a theological case that leaders are allowed, even required, to receive the same care they give away. This is a great read for those trying to find a balance in self-care and ministry.

The Lord Is My Courage: Stepping Through the Shadow of Fear Toward the Voice of Love – By K.J. Ramsey

Description: Ramsey brings her trauma-informed counseling background to a subject a lot of authors avoid: the fear that lingers after toxic church leadership. Working through Psalm 23 line by line, she offers both leaders and the congregations they’ve hurt a way back toward safety.

It’s Not You, It’s Everything – By Eric Minton

Description: Minton left the pastorate to become a licensed therapist, largely because he kept watching ministry’s structure quietly break good people. This book says the exhausting part isn’t a personal failure — it’s the system itself — and lays out an honest, therapist’s-eye path toward a ministry life that’s actually sustainable.

Coming to Peace with Psychology: What Christians Can Learn from Psychological Science – By Everett L. Worthington Jr.

Description: Worthington has spent decades as a Christian psychologist trying to bridge two camps that often talk past each other. This is the book to hand a leader who’s suspicious of “secular” psychology, showing exactly where good science and biblical wisdom aren’t actually in competition.

The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: A Practical Guide for Supporting the Church’s Mental and Emotional Well-Being – By Dr. Mark Mayfield

Description: Mayfield is both a licensed counselor and a pastor, which shows in how usable this book actually is — think sermon language, small-group discussion starters, and scripts for one-on-one conversations. It’s built for a leadership team that wants to move from good intentions to an actual plan.

Beyond the Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner with the Church to Address the Mental Health Crisis – By James N. Sells

Description: Sells writes to counselors, but the real value for pastors is seeing the other side of the table — what a healthy referral relationship with a local Christian counselor could actually look like. It’s a strong case against leaders trying to be a congregation’s only mental health resource.

For Therapists Wanting a Christian Perspective

Academic and clinically-oriented texts for licensed counselors, therapists, and counseling students who want to integrate psychological science with a robust Christian theological framework.

Christian Counseling (3rd Edition, Revised and Updated) – By Gary R. Collins

Description: At nearly a thousand pages, this has functioned for years as the reference book Christian clinicians keep within arm’s reach. Collins covers an enormous range of presenting issues — from depression to forgiveness work — and closes each chapter with a quick-reference summary built for a counselor who’s busy between sessions.

Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling: An Integrative Paradigm – By Mark R. McMinn

Description: McMinn’s central question is deceptively simple: how do you hold sin, grace, and unmet human need in the same room without collapsing one into the other? This has become a staple integration text precisely because it refuses to let clinical technique and biblical truth cancel each other out.

Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling – By Mark R. McMinn

Description: Here McMinn pushes further into practice, treating spiritual disciplines like confession, prayer, and forgiveness as legitimate clinical tools rather than add-ons to “real” therapy. It’s become something of a handbook for clinicians who want their faith and their technique to actually talk to each other in session.

Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective – By Edward T. Welch

Description: Welch works through what it means to understand a client biblically without abandoning clinical rigor — no small task. This is a dense but rewarding read for counselors who want their theological framework and their diagnostic thinking to be equally strong.

Modern Psychotherapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal – By Stanton L. Jones and Richard E. Butman

Description: Jones and Butman take you through the major secular therapy models — CBT, psychodynamic, humanistic, and beyond — and evaluate each one honestly through a Christian lens, keeping what’s useful and naming what conflicts. There’s also a chapter turned inward, on who the Christian therapist is meant to be in the room.

The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse – By Dan B. Allender

Description: Allender wrote this after years of clinical work with survivors, and it remains one of the field’s clearest maps of how childhood sexual abuse reshapes an adult’s inner life. Any counselor doing serious trauma work with Christian clients will run into this book eventually — it’s foundational for a reason.

Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice: A Four-Step Model and Workbook for Therapists and Clients – By Joshua J. Knabb

Description: Knabb built this as an actual workbook, not just a concept — a four-step model clinicians can bring straight into a session with a client who wants Christian meditation woven into their treatment. It’s research-backed rather than purely devotional, which makes it easy to defend clinically.

Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores – By Diane Langberg

Description: Langberg has spent over four decades treating trauma survivors, and this book carries that weight. She traces exactly how trauma reshapes the body and the soul, then makes the case that God’s own character is the anchor clinicians and clients both need for the long, slow work of restoration.

Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church – By Diane Langberg

Description: Langberg turns her trauma expertise toward institutional and spiritual abuse specifically, asking what authority was actually designed for and how its corruption does such particular psychological damage. For any therapist whose caseload includes clients hurt by a church or a leader, this is essential context.

A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry – By Heath Lambert

Description: Lambert lays out the theological scaffolding behind the biblical counseling movement in detail most clinicians never see. Whether you end up adopting this model, borrowing pieces of it, or pushing back on it, understanding its actual doctrinal commitments will sharpen your own thinking either way.

Relational Spirituality: A Psychological-Theological Paradigm for Transformation – By Todd W. Hall and M. Elizabeth Lewis Hall

Description: The Halls bring attachment theory into direct conversation with a theology of spiritual growth, arguing that healing relationships — including a client’s relationship with God — are what actually drive lasting change. It’s a research-grounded model, not just an inspirational one, which makes it genuinely useful in clinical formulation.

Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know struggling to find peace and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline you all have the best and most blessed day!

The post 33 Must Read Christian Mental Health Books appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current Student working toward her PHD learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Searching for the absolute best evening routine ideas? This post is for you! We’ll be exploring 15 practical tips for creating a perfect evening routine to help you organize your life and gently wind down. So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed and struggling to keep pace, these 7 evening routine ideas are the perfect place to start.

ATTENTION! Our digital planners and journal drop tonight 9/7 at midnight and our physical planners and journals release this Friday 9/11 on Amazon! – Check out our shop now!

My Evening Routine

Although your first shift is technically over, the evening shift has just begun. Dinner needs to be started, the house is a mess, your family has needs, and tomorrow’s to-do list is already at the forefront of your mind. Our evenings can easily start to feel like another job, rather than the relaxing wind down we deeply desire.

As Christians, we understand that we were created for work and rest. However, when we are drowning in our endless weekday responsibilities it can be difficult to allow ourselves to slow down when it is needed. However, slow evenings do not have to feel like another thing to accomplish on our to-do list. A slow relaxing evening will not only feel like a breath of fresh air, but also build strong habits that help us even during the most stressful times. Intentional rest not only supports our mental health but also helps us feel prepared to carry out the calling Christ has for our lives. So, let’s look at the science behind the importance of a restful evening.

The Science Behind the Perfect Evening Routine

A good evening routine is not about having a military-style structure, but rather about reducing one’s cognitive load. An individual’s cognitive load is understood as the heavy metabolic load placed on one’s prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for working memory, complex problem-solving, and executive functioning, so after a busy day one can become one’s neurological frame work is completely depleted. Evening time decision fatigue is a real thing, but one can take practical steps to reduce their overall stress levels rather than increase it. So let’s look at 7 practical tips to make weeknights easier to help you build the ultimate nighttime routine.

7 Practical Tips for Easier Weeknights

1. Create a “Work Shutdown” Ritual

When we keep “open tabs” of our responsibilities at work and school our brain has a difficult wanting to relax. Research has show that when our brain believes we have “unfinished tasks” it causes increased levels of anxiety and stress. To combat this we can create a quick “work shutdown” ritual in order to help your brain acknowledge work is done for the day. Shut your laptop and physically say out loud “I am done with work for today.” Showing your brain you are “closing the tabs” allows you to transition into a state of rest for the evening.

2. Prep for the Morning

A calm morning can make or break one’s day. Having a dedicated space to place your bag, keys, and daily essential makes mornings less frantic and more relaxed. This dedicated space will reduce overall morning stress by preventing those panicking moments of searching for your morning essentials

3. 15-Minute Clean Ups

A cluttered area will increase cortisol levels, especially in women. However, we cannot expect ourselves to deep clean the entire house on a random Tuesday night. Instead, one can set a timer for 15 mins and have everyone in the house participate in a mini cleaning frenzy. Focus on high traffic areas but when the timer goes off you’re done!

4. Repeat Dinners

After a long day deciding what to cook is often times harder than the task of cooking itself. By planning out one’e meals for the week or by creating a weekly menu theme (e.g., Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, Pasta Wednesday, Sheet-Pan Thursday, Leftover Friday) can make cooking significantly less stressful. By having a set plan you are actively reducing the cognitive load making cooking and shaping significantly easier.

5. The Digital Sunset

Research has shown that blue lights suppresses melatonin production, which makes the evening wind down significantly harder when our world is full of technology. However, we can combat this by setting a 60-90 min timer before one’s bedtime to make sure our body’s get that melatonin production needed to fall asleep and get quality rest. Instead of scrolling on your phone, use that 60-90 mins to pray, read, or have conversations with family members.

6. The Brain Dump Journal

Anxiety has a fantastic way of keeping you up at night even if you feel exhausted. Whether its life stressors or your endless to do list, anxiety wants to make sure you don’t forget anything. To combat this use a Brain Dump journal and place it by your bed. Whenever your brain starts to race at night use this journal to jot down every worry, task, and random thought that continues to run throughout your mind. This helps your brain know it no longer needs to hold onto the thought, allowing the brain to move onto to the next task…. SLEEPING!

7. Lay Out Tomorrow’s Clothes

As basic as it sounds, laying out one’s clothes plays a significant positive role in one’s morning routine. Not only does it reduce your decision fatigue but it helps you set up the next day for success, saving your mental energy for other important tasks needed to start your day.

Christian Book Recommendations

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World Author: John Mark Comer Description: In a culture that praises busyness and relentless productivity, this book highlights how living in a constant state of rush actively harms our spiritual and mental well-being. Comer provides a practical, biblically grounded roadmap for slowing down to match the unhurried pace of Jesus. It is an excellent read for anyone seeking to intentionally lower their cognitive load, step away from survival mode, and experience true, restful Shalom in their everyday lives.

Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode Author: Aundi Kolber Description: Written by an experienced Christian therapist, this insightful guide explores how constantly forcing ourselves to “push through” exhaustion actually damages our nervous systems. Kolber beautifully blends clinical neuroscience with a faith-based perspective to show how treating ourselves with Christ-like compassion can gently lead us out of the fight-or-flight response.

Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose Author: Rebekah LyonsDescription: Drawing from her personal journey with anxiety, Lyons offers readers a highly practical framework to combat the burnout epidemic facing modern society. She breaks down four essential, life-giving rhythms—rest, restore, connect, and create—that are designed to quiet internal chaos and promote emotional stability. This book is a wonderful companion for establishing the gentle, predictable evening routines needed to reclaim your mental health and physical energy.

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Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know struggling to find peace and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline you all have the best and most blessed day!

The post 7 Amazing Tips for The Perfect Evening Routine – Free Printable Included appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current Student working toward her PHD learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

Are you looking for a free Bible study planner? We have created the best Bible study plan that uses neuroscience facts and tips in order to help you stay on top of you Bible reading goals for this year! Feel free to share this Bible study planner with your friends, family, or church members!

ATTENTION! TLCMH is excited to announce we will be releasing 3 books in the upcoming days available to purchase on Amazon! We will be publishing a Sermon Notes Journal, an ADHD 14-Week Daily Planner, and Therapist Planner. We will be sending out an email as soon as they drop on Amazon so make sure to sign up on our email list, so you don’t miss out! Here is a little sneak peek below!

Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know struggling to find peace and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post!

Think Like Christ Mental Health

Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline you all have the best and most blessed day!

The post Free 52 Week Bible Study Planner appeared first on Christian Mental Health Education.