The purpose of McMinn’s book, Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, is to inform his readers about the challenges they might encounter in the counseling office and how they can overcome them (2011). McMinn (2011) acknowledges that while counselors have various beliefs and viewpoints, counselors with a religious belief system are thought to be more trustworthy and approachable. He speaks of the lack of information available concerning spiritual techniques, but how the integration of combining psychology, theology, and spirituality is necessary for emotional healing (McMinn, 2011). This book can be used as an instructional guide by the Christian counselor regarding the possible confusion of integrating these concepts. …show more content…
This realization helps us with our dedication to God and strive to follow His values (McMinn, 2011). We need detailed maps for mental health and spiritual growth (McMinn, 2011). Our spiritual growth recognizes our need to grow closer to God when our independence becomes too great (McMinn, 2011). McMinn (2011) states that when we start to acknowledge our brokenness and stop focusing on ourselves, we can begin to heal. The more understanding of ourselves that we have, enables us to grow both emotionally and spiritually (McMinn, 2011). When we lack a sense of who we are, we are more susceptible to psychological and spiritual problems (McMinn, …show more content…
The question McMinn (2011 p.79) wants the Christian counselor to ask themselves is, while considering using prayer in the counseling session, “Which forms of prayer should be used with which clients under which circumstances?”. We need to be able to find which appropriate forms of prayer should be used with our clients (McMinn, 2011). Prayer has many significant benefits including improving communication, it places us in communion with God, enhances human interaction, and can help the client gain a better awareness of self (McMinn, 2011). It must not be used in an unsensitive manner due to the harm and dependency it could cause (McMinn, 2011).
Scripture can be used in the counseling session to help with different issues such as meditation, child therapy, and marital counseling (McMinn, 2011). It can help change faulty habits and thinking (McMinn, 2011). Scripture allows us to know God and is foundational to our spiritual formation (McMinn, 2011). Scripture can be used by counselors to change the client’s dysfunctional thoughts and is referred to as timeless truth (McMinn,
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 is David Entwistle 2nd edition book published in 2010 by Wipf and Stock in Oregon. Entwistle is a Christian and a licensed psychologist; he has affiliations with Molone University in Canton, Ohio serving as chair of the Psychology Department and has taught courses related to his licensed field. This book clearly is not written for any newcomers to religion. However, it was written for those interested in the integration of science and religion. The authors’ purpose for writing this book was to define the relationship between psychology and theology. There are three specific areas this book touched upon to help readers’ better approach psychology and Christianity in a personal and more professional manner: The context of philosophical issues and worldview, to help the readers become aware of assumptions or beliefs- making the reader a more critical evaluators, and to introduce and familiarize the reader with five paradigms for integrating psychology and theology.
Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Mark McMinn and published by Tyndale House in 2011 notions towards the idealization that Christian counselors need to be privy in the most recent psychological methods as well as theological theories. “This is a book about counseling processes techniques” (McMinn, 2011, p. 150). McMinn also alluded that Christian counselors benefit from having a spiritual maturity. With having these attributes counselors are better prepared to take note of prayer, Scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. McMinn (2011) model flows in the direction of healing while equating to a more advantageous relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ as well as with other relationships (McMinn, 2011).
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.
Clinton, T. & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian counseling: Foundations and practice of compassionate soul care. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press.
In the first chapter of Psychology in Christian Perspective by Harold W. Faw the author talks about psychology as a subject, the different aspects of the subject and how psychology fits into the Christian world. Faw begins the chapter by describing what others think psychology and his views on psychology as well. He describes that “psychology can be described as a systematic attempt to understand human behavior and conscious experience” (Faw, 1995, p. 12). He then goes on to describe the many different types of specialties of psychology which include, neurobiological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and psychoanalytic. These specialties are then integrated into the Christian worldview. They are all different so they all fit into
McMinn (2011) establishes the topical history of integrating psychology and theology, and promptly transitions to the necessity of inclusion for spirituality into counseling sessions; he cogitates three queries: Will this aid in establishing a healthy sense of self? Will this aid in establishing a healthy sense of need? Will this aid in establishing a healing relationship? (McMinn, 2011, pg. 32). These three components cater to psychological and spiritual health. Christian counseling helps the client move away from need, a faulty sense of self, and relationships to “an assured sense of self, a cognizance of human need and limits, and revealing interpersonal relationships with others and most importantly, God” (p. 59). McMinn (2011) provides intervention tools needed for effective therapy. However, amid the six challenges, counselors can see the risks in implementing the suggested tools with: defining relevant ethical standards, establishing a scientific base, confronting dominant views of health, expanded definitions of training, blurred pers...
From society to family to media, external influences never seem to disappear from everyday life. These outward forces tend to leave a lasting impression on us for as long as we live. Because they are so prevalent in our daily lives, exterior factors will have a significant influence on us, specifically our sense of self and happiness. When defining our sense of self, it eventually comes down to how we interpret our individual self-image. In most cases, we do not truly know who we are from our own mindset. Therefore, we take into account the reactions that those around us have an influence on our actions and decisions. From these external effects, we create the persona of who we are. In his article, Immune to Reality, Daniel Gilbert explains
“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
Christian mental health professionals should help people not merely escape troublesome situations but to learn how to “flourish even in the midst of great suffering” (T. Clinton, 2002). Similarly, Christian professionals encourage people not to be “self-glorifying” but to let the truth of God set them free (T. Clinton,
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
when counseling people. And according to the word of God, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is God breathed and is useful
The benefits of the short-term counseling model are the ability to start the counselee on a journey to wholeness right away; immediate steps can be taken to address the issues, and an action plan can be implemented to achieve results, when all parties are dedicated to the healing process. In all instances, I strongly encourage individuals I mentor or minister to, to create a prayer life; with the implementation of prayer life, they will deepen or develop a relationship with Jesus Christ. Furthermore, the risk to short-term counseling is possibly misjudging an issue to be short-term, when long-term counseling methods need to be implemented.