A Review of: “The Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy” Summary In Tan’s article, “The Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy” published by the Journal of Psychology and Theology in 2007, he discusses integrating prayer and scripture with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Tan uses examples of integration from real-life counseling sessions that he has been involved in, as a counselor. Tan’s article first discusses the usefulness of CBT and other behavioral techniques in counseling (Tan, 2007). Tan discusses very early in his article that CBT is as effective as antidepressant medications and is more effective that cognitive therapy alone according to a recent placebo study (Tan, 2007). Tan states that the development of mindfulness and acceptance based CBT, which is the predecessor of Christian based CBT, has its roots in Zen Buddhism and is in of its self a spiritually based practice (Tan, 2007). The evolution of a Christian, Muslim or other religious focus CBT was a natural progression because of the spiritual components of it (Tan, 2007). Tan states that there are now ten studies, six Christian and four Muslim, that provide support for the implementation and use religiously focused CBT (Tan, 2007). Tan describes the ethical approach to Christian CBT and expresses the need for informed consent. Tan is also very clear on not forcing belief systems on clients. He discusses the need for a lengthy interview and intake process for new clients in order to understand the patient’s history as well as their religious beliefs (Tan, 2007). Tan states that the first session for him is usually two hours (Tan, 2007). Tan uses Christian CBT to help Christian patients overcome experiences and memorie... ... middle of paper ... ...om experiences that cause people to feel weak and not in control. This is a unique way to give strength, safety and control back to a person because they feel that God is with them. I hope that this author writes more about his successes and failures with this method. I would like to know the statistics associated with this method. Just for my own edification, I would like to find out how often his patients experience God’s presence in these sessions and when they experience God if it is always a peaceful experience. I believe God to be a loving God but I am also aware that there are certain things that anger him and I would be curious to find out whether that aspect ever presents its self. I am very interested in this method and would like to research it to a greater extend. I am also thinking about trying it myself but would like to research it more before I do.
The start of this article focuses on a Christian client named George who is plagued with feelings of worthlessness, depression, low self-esteem, and suicide. His mother had also battled depression, and his father had an abusive relationship with alcohol, which caused his father to have verbally and physically abusive altercations with George and his mother. The abusive experiences that George was exposed to as a child paved the way for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as an adult (Garzon, 2005). With all of these factors present in this client’s life, a treatment plan was created that involved scripture interventions. The author made sure to touch on the fact that every client is unique in the hopes that counselors would be aware that one type of scripture intervention might work for one client and not work for another. The article highlights three guiding values when considering these types of interventions; “respect for the client’s autonomy/freedom, sensitivity to and empathy for the client’s religious and spiritual beliefs, and flexibility and responsiveness to the client’s religious and spiritual beliefs.”(Garzon, 2005). ...
Entwistle, D. N. (2010). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (2nd ed.). Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.
Some counseling strategies we can draw from scripture such as cognitive therapy (McMinn, 2011). Also, it can lead to a direction for dealing with any guilt or resentment. Second, scripture can support certain principles in counseling such as religious imagery (McMinn, 2011). Other examples would include support for dream analysis, retreats, or small groups (McMinn,
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 main definition that this author describes cognitive behavioral therapy as is an active, directive, time-limited, structured approach to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders (Beck, 1979). Understanding that this treatment can assist many different disorders allows a worker to not only use it for the client that is being bullied and has been effected by anxiety but also resulting into depression. Beck mentions a few cognitive techniques used to test misconceptions that a client may be thinking. Cognitive techniques such as monitoring automatic negative thoughts, recognizing the connections between thoughts, the affects, and behaviors, and learning to examine and explore these thoughts at different dimensions (Beck, 1979). The goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to simply relieve emotional distress and other symptoms of mental illness (Beck, 1979). When working with a Mormon the worker will have to identify the differences between thoughts and feelings so the client can identify their own by personal reflection instead of what the worker may think is
“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 McMinn’s (2011) text Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, he discusses the concept of integrating theology and spirituality into therapeutic and counseling sessions. He starts off in the first two chapters by explaining challenges, both professionally and personal, Christian counselors may face when they attempt to integrate both psychology and Biblical principles. Real-life experiences, the frontier of integration, and a more complex way for Christian counselors to assist their clients are some ways in identifying the most important concepts from the first couple of chapters of McMinn’s (2011) foundation. He often emphasizes the importance of how a counselor’s personal life and worldview may hinder
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
the theories, and the techniques dealing with Christian and secular counseling will require different tactics and approaches for it to be effective
Johnson, Eric L. (2007). Christ, The Lord of Psychology. In Daryl H. Stevenson, Brian E. Eck & Peter C. Hill (Eds.). Psychology Christianity Integration: Seminole Works that Shaped the Movement (pp. 42-57). Batavia, IL: Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Inc.
However, this rigid concept may be too narrow for some Christian counselors who are trained as Licensed Mental Health Counselors. This poses a barrier for those professionals who would like to include Christian counseling as a component of their approach. It also presents a difficult challenge to the Christian counselor who wishes to improve their knowledge
Ryan, Tom. “Intercessory Prayer’s Benefits Cannot Be Measured by Science.” Medicine. Ed. Louise Gerdes. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt. From “Intercessory Prayer Debunked?” Catholic New Times 30 (7 May 2006): 11. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 9 Apr. 2014.
Faith healing may be performed either in close proximity to the patient or at a distance. When practiced at a distance it may involve a single agent or a group praying for the patient. When close to the patient or in “revivalist tent” type meetings, the healer usually touches or "lays hands on" the patient while imploring for the aid of the Supreme Being. Faith healing may also entail a visit to a religious shrine, such as the French city of Lourdes, or the Ukrainian city of Uman, in search of a miracle. O...
Spiritual need is an essential component in health and recovery. Throughout this life every person can expect to become sick at some point. There are many different types of diseases from various origins. Therefore, the health status of a person is individualized, because not everyone will be free of diseases. Despite their optimal state of health, the road to recovery is often challenging. Although there is the use of modern medicine and other therapies, they cannot replace the spiritual needs of the individual. This interview shows how important spirituality is to the patient.