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A 4-MAT Review System: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Jessica Esqueda Liberty University A 4-MAT Review System: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling Summary Mark McMinn published a revised edition of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling in 2011, to serve as an exploration of the integration of psychology and theology. The book explores the necessity and importance of integrating Christian theology into the life of the client. McMinn (2011) states that integrating Christianity into all aspects of a client’s life will help the client move closer to God, strengthen relationships, develop a stronger sense of self, understand their personal limitations, and realize …show more content…
The author maintains that the Christian counselor must not only utilize these practices in their counseling sessions, but must also live a Christian life, modeling the attributes of Christian values and core concepts to their clients (McMinn, 2011). The book begins with a discussion of prayer and scripture, and the way these elements can be successfully integrated into the counseling relationship, providing several models for the use of prayer as a counseling technique (McMinn, 2011). The book also outlines ethical dilemmas associated with the use of prayer and scripture as counseling techniques, including misinterpretation, overuse, and lack of training (McMinn, 2011). When applying Christian counseling techniques, McMinn suggests comparing techniques to scripture to ensure that therapeutic techniques are found in scripture directly, or are implied (McMinn, 2011). The counselor should use caution to avoid implementing techniques that are inconsistent with Biblical teachings (McMinn, …show more content…
Only recently has that anger begun to fade, and I believe that I am tiptoeing towards a place of forgiveness. Three years ago, I entered into a counseling relationship in order to let go of some of the intense guilt that was shadowing my life. During the years I had been groomed for incest and rape, my body responded to the sexual abuse, and, though I was a child, I began to define myself as someone who was dirty and sexually immoral. In counseling, I had to admit that my body had responded. I had to confess my sin, in order to let go of the guilt and shame, and learn to forgive myself. A previous Authentic Sexuality course has done a lot to open my eyes to the truth of my past, and allow me to continue
As a Christian counselor, we have the power of the Word on our sides, but so many of us do not understand how to properly apply scripture into the counseling relationship in an effective manner. In Interventions that Apply Scripture in Psychotherapy, Garzon (2005) attempts to accomplish the following; educate individuals on the various techniques one can use to apply scripture, and to encourage and stimulate God ordained creativity in the hopes to create new techniques and methods for applying God’s Word in the counseling relationship.
This paper will be reviewing the book “Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity: an introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations and models of integration, by David N. Entwistle. As the title states, this book discusses how to integrate psychology and theology. It also dives into to why it is so important to be able to integrate the two. Entwistle explains that just because the two are different does not mean they should be separated and that we have to use both our worldviews. “Weaving together perspectives from psychology and Christian theology can help us understand and appreciate humanity more fully than we could either perspective alone.” (p.3)
David Entwistle's (2010) Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity is geared more towards Christians with conservative evangelical views and provides the reader an outline to different worldview disputes and truth-seeking groundwork that surround the connection that underlies psychology and theology. In addition to analyzing the possible connection of psychology and theology, Entwisle discusses the consideration of integrating Christian faith with the practice of psychology. “Christian understandings of person-hood, the purpose of human life, our need for God, and the ethical teachings of Christian faith are integral to psychology, not merely parallel to it” (p. 199). Entwistle’s viewpoint on this matter is stated clearly. He believes that it is necessary for theology and psychology be integrated in order to fully understand human nature.
The book Counseling in African-American Communities discussed how the gospel brings liberty to men, woman, and children bearing every conceivable sin and affliction. Psychology can provide a tool for applying the power of the gospel in practical ways. By combining the truth of the Bible with psychological principles, Christian counselors, pastors, and church leaders can meet the various needs of our communities with life-changing effect.
Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity was written by David N. Entwistle. He is a licensed psychologist that works for Malone University in Ohio. The book displays important information about the integration of psychology and theology. Entwistle clarifies the historical reasons for the separation between the two areas. As he mentioned these historic events, he demonstrated how the knowledge today may reflect what happened in the past. For example, “During the past century, the relationship of faith and science has been a topic of intense debate” (Entwistle, 2015, p.8). The Tertullian only carried the view of faith and didn’t see any purpose for science. However, not all individuals
In order for Biblical counseling to be effective, a counselor must be completely prepared to work in the ministry of helping others. Beyond the worldly challenges, a Christian counselor also faces humanistic therapeutic false views of secular therapy. Christian counselors maintain a focal point in guiding people to living a life that is full of spiritual richness and maturity. Yet, secular therapist focuses on self-gratification and self-actualization. As Christian ministry helpers, you must be living by the truth and exemplify a Christ-centered life. Crabb (1977) developed a counseling model that teaches us how to develop individualized life maps that will guide people to spiritual growth, maturity, and a long-lived Christ-centered life. It is essential as Christian counselor’s we are able to bring people to understand that the elucidation to their problems God has the answer prearranged scripturally. Furthermore, enlighten the client that their inclusive security is in Christ Jesus that our negative life events have no precedence, as HE will accept us no matter the circumstances. Scripture offer direction to lay helpers “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).
“Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity” (2010) is about the purposeful integration of psychology and Christianity. Entwistle, discusses the integration of scripture and nature, holding to historic orthodox Christianity that “Scripture and the natural world have their origins in God’s creativity and revelation” (Entwistle, 2010, p. 136). Theology clarifies the Word of God (Bible), and Psychology corresponds with the works of God. A working definition of integration is offered,
In essence, McMinn’s intradisciplinary integrated approach to Christian counseling is more than a “toolbox of set strategies for change” instead it is a “deep, abiding, formative work of God’s Spirit,” within the counselors lives (p 31-32). McMinn (2007) explains his theoretical map is cognitive therapy along with developing a strong therapeutic relationship and trust with our clients is not only essential to the effectiveness of counseling, but also is vital to applying his approach of the integration of psychology, theology, and spirituality into counseling. By McMinn using his theoretical cognitive therapy map he can build upon it to integrate the concerns of the spiritual growth wellbeing of our clients as well as their wellbeing of mental
However, it does not matter how strong a person’s faith is or how weak a person faith is, everyone in Christian counseling starts off the same. It is a process how a person develops overtime. This is similar to a child learning how to tie his or her shoes. At first they do not get it but overtime, it becomes of habit and the person get better. According to Clinton, Hart and Ohlschlager (2005),” they believe that Christian counselling has to do with and learning applying the principles of the kingdom on living to the chronically sins, fears, failures, and dark areas of our life (p.21). When people are at their lowest point he or she turn to Christ to get the throughout tough times. Furthermore, in chapter two a person learns about the trust and fined our truth. In chapter two it discusses becoming a trust worthy counselor. In Chapter two, I realized that is all about gaining the clients trust. If the client, does not trust the counselor then no typ of relationship can be bonded. The client is in a venerable state and the counselor has to make sure that the can feel free to be
Worthington, E. L. Jr., Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., & McDaniel, M. A. (2011). Religion and spirituality. In J. C. Norcross (Ed.), Psychotherapy relationships that work (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press
Biblical Counseling is making a strong impact in today's churches and community. Counseling is seen as one of the most productive ways of helping a
On the down side there are a limited number of educational programs that adequately deal with the issue of incorporating religion and spirituality in therapeutic/counseling settings. This can be attributed to the fact that counseling is based in psychology, a scientific field, which has traditionally neglected issues of a spiritual nature (Nelson, Kirk, Ane, & Serres, 2011) as well as the practice used within the United States to separate education and religion (Cashwell and Young, 2011). This then results in a significant portion of therapist and counselors who are not prepared to address the issue of spirituality and religion with their clients. One would think that with the value many Americans place on the topic of religion and spirituality that there would come a time when a client would want to address this topic during his or her session.
Biblical counseling is the sharing of information found in the Word of God with the goal of improving the life of another person. The Bible contains excellent material for counseling. Knowledge of scripture is essential for the person of God who wishes to help others achieve a better life. Biblical counseling is the application of the principles of relationships found in the Bible and is often given to other Christians experiencing difficult circumstance.
Dr. Tan has shown that incorporating prayer, scripture, and a Christian approach helps people. He has been using this approach for years and has had positive results. All counselors need to use the methods that work. This is especially true of Christian counselors. If a Christian had made a chose to visit a Christian therapist, that therapist should use Christian tools to help their client.
Christian counseling has benefited from the insight that psychologists have discovered about the human mind. However, it is important to note that many aspects of effective Biblical counseling differs greatly from that of its secular counterparts. This study will compare and contrast the theories of Dr. Crabb as outlined in his book, Effective Christian Counseling, and some of the theories held in popular secular counseling: Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, and Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy.