Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 12 hours ago
What’s the difference between biblical counseling, Christian counseling, and licensed therapy—and how do you know which one you need?
In this powerful and practical conversation, JM sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Olatunde Howard to unpack how biblical wisdom and clinical insight can work together—not against each other. They explore the stigma around mental health in the church, why some struggles require professional therapy, and how a balanced, biblical view of Christian discipleship can embrace both spiritual formation and mental health treatment.
From anxiety and depression to trauma, abuse, and emotional regulation, this episode clarifies when pastoral counseling is enough—and when someone might need a trained therapist who can diagnose and treat clinical disorders. JM and Olund discuss trauma therapy, PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and why true healing is not “either faith or science,” but both working in harmony under God’s design.
If you’ve ever wrestled with the question, “Do I just need prayer, or do I need therapy?” this is a conversation that will bring freedom, wisdom, and grace.
Olatunde is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Cary, NC. He can be reached at:
one-eightycounseling.com/olatunde-howard
About Disciple Dojo:
We help followers of Jesus grow through sound biblical teaching, thoughtful theology, and practical Christian education—from Bible study series and interviews to resources that help you strengthen your faith and mental health.
If this episode helped you:
👉 Like the video and subscribe for more conversations connecting faith, psychology, and Scripture.
👉 Comment: What do you think the church gets right—or wrong—about mental health?
👉 Explore more studies and podcast episodes at discipledojo.org
Relationship posts by Olatunde:
* Getting to Know Someone - one-eightycounseling.com/getting-to-know-someone
* How to have an intimate romantic relationship - one-eightycounseling.com/how-to-have-an-intimate-romantic-relationship
* The ONE thing necessary for couples to make it - one-eightycounseling.com/the-one-thing-necessary-for-couples-to-make-it
* Are you too sensitive? - one-eightycounseling.com/are-you-too-sensitive
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - zazzle.com/discipledojo
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at discipledojo.org
Subscribe to the Disciple Dojo podcast for more in-depth teaching and discussions:
SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/discipledojo
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/26BDZz70HmnT5eoD9BEKQ7
iTunes - itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/disciple-dojo/id1002934837
Amazon - tinyurl.com/uz8dbfet
What’s the difference between biblical counseling, Christian counseling, and licensed therapy—and how do you know which one you need?
In this powerful and practical conversation, JM sits down with licensed marriage and family therapist Olatunde Howard to unpack how biblical wisdom and clinical insight can work together—not against each other. They explore the stigma around mental health in the church, why some struggles require professional therapy, and how a balanced, biblical view of Christian discipleship can embrace both spiritual formation and mental health treatment.
From anxiety and depression to trauma, abuse, and emotional regulation, this episode clarifies when pastoral counseling is enough—and when someone might need a trained therapist who can diagnose and treat clinical disorders. JM and Olund discuss trauma therapy, PTSD, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and why true healing is not “either faith or science,” but both working in harmony under God’s design.
If you’ve ever wrestled with the question, “Do I just need prayer, or do I need therapy?” this is a conversation that will bring freedom, wisdom, and grace.
Olatunde is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Cary, NC. He can be reached at:
one-eightycounseling.com/olatunde-howard
About Disciple Dojo:
We help followers of Jesus grow through sound biblical teaching, thoughtful theology, and practical Christian education—from Bible study series and interviews to resources that help you strengthen your faith and mental health.
If this episode helped you:
👉 Like the video and subscribe for more conversations connecting faith, psychology, and Scripture.
👉 Comment: What do you think the church gets right—or wrong—about mental health?
👉 Explore more studies and podcast episodes at discipledojo.org
Relationship posts by Olatunde:
* Getting to Know Someone - one-eightycounseling.com/getting-to-know-someone
* How to have an intimate romantic relationship - one-eightycounseling.com/how-to-have-an-intimate-romantic-relationship
* The ONE thing necessary for couples to make it - one-eightycounseling.com/the-one-thing-necessary-for-couples-to-make-it
* Are you too sensitive? - one-eightycounseling.com/are-you-too-sensitive
***Disciple Dojo shirts and other gifts are available over in our online store! - zazzle.com/discipledojo
***Become a monthly Dojo Donor and help keep us going! - discipledojo.org/donate
***Dojo Donor Patches: If you are a monthly donor and would like an iron-on DiscipleDojo patch, supplies are limited so message JM directly via the contact page at discipledojo.org/contact
***If you are an unmarried Christian looking for community, check out our Facebook group “The Grownup’s Table” over at facebook.com/groups/grownupstable
------ Go deeper at discipledojo.org
Subscribe to the Disciple Dojo podcast for more in-depth teaching and discussions:
SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/discipledojo
Spotify - open.spotify.com/show/26BDZz70HmnT5eoD9BEKQ7
iTunes - itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/disciple-dojo/id1002934837
Amazon - tinyurl.com/uz8dbfet
