The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Psychiatrists in California

Therapists and clients don’t need to share the same belief system or background to be able to work together effectively, but, especially for those whose concerns relate to their religion or cultural background, a therapist whose training includes a focus on cultural competence may be better able to form a therapeutic bond, even if they do not have an extensive history with or understanding of their client’s background before therapy begins.

Each individual brings a unique history and background to therapy, making it important to find a licensed therapist who is trained in a broad range of therapeutic modalities. In addition, for people who grow up in a faith tradition such as LDS that strongly influences the conduct of everyday life, finding a therapist who understands or shares that background can ease the disclosure of sensitive information and facilitate the therapeutic process.

While qualifications and experience are always important, research has long established that a strong alliance between client and therapist is a major contributor to therapeutic effectiveness. It is wise to find a therapist who is responsive to your questions and concerns and with whom you feel you can establish a rapport. A therapist who is sensitive to LDS values and beliefs and the role they play in the lives of Church members can offer Mormon clients a welcome sense of safety, assurance that their community and culture will be understood, and contribute to the bond between client and therapist, all of which support the therapeutic process.

LDS therapists are licensed mental health professionals—holding a master’s or doctoral degree in medicine, nursing, psychology, counseling, social work, or marriage and family therapy—who are also familiar with Mormon principles and values. They have an understanding of the culture and the important role the Church plays in the lives of individuals and families, which allows them to be especially sensitive to the kinds of emotional difficulties those raised in the faith can be prone to. Like all effective therapists, a good LDS therapist will have undergone training and certification in a variety of treatment modalities that help people through crises and enable them to master the challenges of everyday life.

The directory of LDS therapists includes therapists who have shared their cultural background in their profiles. However, not all therapists choose to disclose this information; these individuals would not appear in search results for this reason. The directory also shows therapists who indicate that they have extensive experience working with LDS clients and/or communities, regardless of their own background or religious affiliation.