Lay counseling and Clinical counseling have some similarities and some differences. Clinical counselors (clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, social workers, etc…) are regulated by a many government associations and boards. On the other hand, the lay or pastoral counselors (pastors, chaplains, lay ministers, etc…) are governed by the ecclesiastical structures. They may or may not be influenced by a professional organization. From the course readings, and outside readings, I have learned that one of the most notable differences between the lay counseling and Christian counseling models relate mostly with the counseling process. Lay counselors are able to have access to their clients in almost any setting; in the church, in the client’s
Within the counselling setting there can be many different approaches to take in order to help the client to over come their personal challenges. While all provide a unique and abstract way of handling, interpreting and solving these challenges they all have their own positives and negatives when scrutinized. Two approaches that have little in common but the fact they are used within the same working environment are the feminist theory and the psychoanalytic approach. Psychoanalytic approach has a structured and theoretical basic which leave it with much less room for interpretation and adaption to the client. Focusing more on the past and development then the
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.
With the three categories “that must be considered simultaneously: psychology, theology, and spirituality” (McMinn, 2011, p.190). From the stance of psychology counselors are thought to be more subjective by placing themselves on the outside in order to properly view the issues or concerns that the client may have. Theology, is thought to spear spirituality. “May God guide each of us to the deep, still waters of Life, where we find hope, courage, humidity compassion and peace” (McMinn, 2011, p.
Clinton, T. & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian counseling: Foundations and practice of compassionate soul care. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press.
The in-class counseling practice exercises gave a great insight into the various counseling theories and techniques. By role playing, I was able to better understand the challenges and benefits of the theories and how it applies to the current field of counseling. In the following, I will attempt to communicate my experience both at an academic level and spiritual level.
Mark McMinn purposely writes this twofold book to first, address the pragmatic assimilation of psychology, theology, and spirituality. Secondly, he explores the spirituality of a Christian counselor, and how this aspect of character affects the methods he or she may use to represent Jesus Christ when dealing with clients. Altogether, this book discusses the dual need for Biblical Counselors to multitask with clients while pursuing personal development in spirituality to advance a Christian worldview. The objective is to “help Christian counselors and researchers unite around certain key questions and perspectives so that our interventions become increasingly relevant and effective" (p. 6).
Incorporating religion and spirituality into counseling from a counselor’s perspective can be intimidating. According to the authors Gladding and Newsome (2014) counselors avoid incorporating religion and spirituality into counseling due to the fear of “violating ethical guidelines by imposing personal values on clients” (Gladding & Newsome, 2014 p. 174). To address the issues related to incorporating religion and spirituality in counseling, the Association for Spiritual, Ethical and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) developed a list of six competencies to assist professionals. These six competencies are Culture and Worldview, Counselor self-awareness, Human and Spiritual
A difficulty that has occurred commonly is that a definition of spirituality cannot be agreed on. In a broad explanation of both religion as well as spirituality, religion constitutes the organization of faith, implementing prayer, ministry and theology. Spirituality could be viewed as a more individualized experience with a higher being, creator or idea (Walker et al., 2004, p. 70). These expressions allow a vision of client diversity that is found in all counseling classifications. While defining religion and spirituality properly seems trivial, when training counselors to properly apply the use of such variables in their therapies, a concrete explanation is imperative.
Confidentiality. Confidentiality is just as important in Christian counseling as it is in secular counseling. According to the American Association of Christian Counselors (2014), “confidentiality recognizes that every client has a fundamental, moral and legal right to privacy and to have a wide range of personal thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and behaviors that are protected from public knowledge” (p. 22). It is crucial for counselors to maintain client confidentiality unless what a client discloses brings harm to themselves or other people. Confidentiality should be kept at all
In counseling integration of Christianity into the therapeutic process has long been researched and developed. In order to get a good grasp as to what things or ideas would be a part of that process the individual must look into themselves as a therapist and decide how or what that integration process would look like for them. The difficulty in meshing Christianity and Psychology is that there will always be a degree of fealty to one side or another. According to Emmons, many studies have demonstrated that spirituality and religion are closely associated with psychological well-being but, there are also levels of spiritual maturity and an individual 's ability to forgive others to contend with. Throughout the course of this paper I will be discussing the integration process as I understand it and how it would relate to my own relationship to faith.
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
Theoretical Perspective: This semester in procedures of counseling class we discussed a lot of different types of counseling theories. We also did a lot of practicing with each theory with our partners. I found that person-centered therapy best fits my personal attitudes and style of counseling. I think this would be a good style of counseling for me because I can see myself better helping people as a whole than trying to fix an actual problem.
becoming a counselor, you must allow the Holy Spirit to lead you in all that you do and that should be the number one thing that is in your heart
The shepherd and sheep relationship is the best illustration for the relationship between pastor and parishioners. When Jesus asked Simon Peter does he love him three times and said to him “Feed my sheep”, the shepherd and flock relationship has been set. Since Jesus is our good shepherd (Jn. 10:11a), he laid out a good example for us to follow - to lay down his life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:11b) Thus, the wellness of both in and out of the parishioners should always be the concern in the pastors’ hearts. Soul care for the people is essential. Christian friendship is the foundation of Christian soul care. Pastoral ministry including preaching, teaching, and worship forms the broad context of pastoral counseling. Pastoral care is within pastoral ministry but broader than pastoral counseling. God’s love is the source and motivation. Within the pastoral care, there are spiritual direction and pastoral
One aspect I found striking was the role of advice giving in counseling. Prior to this class, I knew that counselors did not typically give opinions or advice to lead a client in a certain direction. What I did not know was the entire reasoning behind this. A counselor might avoid giving advice so that a client learns to make his/her own decisions, does not become dependent on the counselor, and to ensure that a client will not later blame the counselor if the counselor’s advice did not turn out well. In this context, I have a better appreciation and understanding of why therapists refrain from telling the client what to do.