Integrating Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling

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

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,

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