Christian Counseling Essay

AbstractIn the disc, Psychology, Theology, and spiritualism in delivererian Counseling, reference Mark McMinn gives the reader information on how these leash entities usher out work together in Christian commission. McMinn offers rough(prenominal) ways in which this send away be d champion including the subprogram of charm, Scripture, confession, kindness, the effect of sin, and redemption in counseloring seances. Through narration of focus vignettes displaying several(predicate) results, from various approaches demonstrates for the reader integration. in that location ar very m any(prenominal) directions in different straits in their organized religion and McMinn dos to explore this arena for future and practicing clinicians. 4 MAT Review McMinnSummaryMark McMinn authored the book entitled Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling introduces the reader to his concept of integration of these three entities. McMinn separates spirituality an d defines why it is unlike psychology and theology, he states, We privy gravel more with less competent in the spiritual disciplines, training ourselves to give away out idol more fully, only when we can never be spiritually competent. (2011, p. 11). This is an interesting observation since Christians are always growing but can sometimes become stagnant in their growth and in their walk with Christ. It was besides pointed out that spiritual training is not done in the classroom, it is not in a curriculum, and thus harder to measure from someone an opposite(prenominal) than the participant.McMinn wants to empower the reader to explore their own Christian faith and how it can be incorporated successfully into therapy sessions with their leaf nodes. By educating the reader on a sense of a healthy self, he explores how prayer can be effective in sessions and as well provides different methods for implementation. He stresses the importance of prayer and what it means at differ ent times in relation to a counseling session he states, We pray as we breathe, inhaling the wisdom of Gods presence in this moment, exhaling a frantic need to ready the perfect words or exact technique to fix our lymph nodes. (2011, p. 109). This was one of the ways the author describes the use of prayer in counseling and how it also aides the counselor.Exploring further into the use of Scripture in counseling sessions the author establishes the connection of support in different counseling models. Forgiveness was also another topic the author addresses noting, Rather, my goal is to raise pertinent issues and make recommendations for Christian counselors to consider so that each unique counseling placement can be carefully evaluated and a psychologically and spiritually warm manner. (McMinn, 2011, p. 250). McMinn additionally provides five steps in assessing before considering introduction of tenderness in a therapeutic session.He does this by debunking misinformation, and other related concepts that are not true in the use of forgiveness in therapy. By tying together the topics of prayer, scripture, confession, forgiveness, and redemption the goal as McMinn puts it, If not how we understand the relationship between psychology and theology but how we practically use the Christian faith in our counseling. Change brings dispute and Christian counselors they several significant challenges as they bring religion into the counseling offices. (p. 26)Concrete ResponseIn McMinns book, he uses a chapter to plow forgiveness which reminded me of a client I had long ago. This client had suffered physical, emotional, and inner offense from various family members. I remember this client disclosing horrible, horrible abuse and still having nightmares, at times hallucinations of the offenders, and fits of rage. At this point in my charge I was co-counseling, and was just beginning to understand the impact forgiveness can have in physical health and emotional h ealth. My problem was I didnt realize how the client wanted to please me and in doing so I believe I prolonged this clients collar of forgiveness and what it should have meant with the client and not me. This client was Christian and from my inclination now looking back was just beginning their walk with Christ and not on the same maturity level that I was at that time in my walkwith Christ.At that time I knew how forgiveness first and foremost is obedience to God, and secondly how it can set you bountiful from so many emotional problems, McMinn said, Forgiveness, in its theological and spiritual context, is profound, life-giving, and transforming. When we conduct the religious context and think of forgiveness only as a clinical technique, we risk losing the essence of forgiveness. (2011, p. 254) After reading this chapter it made me re-live an area in which I was not fully equipped to help client maneuver their way through. This particular chapter has allowed me to see how vita l forgiveness is in a therapeutic session, and how it must be used carefully. It is made me aware(predicate) of how important my Christianity is to forgiveness, but also to assess the level my client is shortly on before beginning a session on forgiveness. watchingTruthfully, there was not much close to this book that gave me pause to enunciate this bothers me. Although, I did have a few questions but not of necessity pertaining to the authors writing of the book, but more so some information of other resources cited. For example, the author stated, Though Maslow would not agree that the Christian faith can help lead people to emotional health, his reports of the characteristics and desires of help the people who have moved beyond preoccupation with self he called them self actualizers are remarkably similar to the fruit of the Spirit exposit by apostle Paul in Galatians 522-23. (McMinn, 2011, p. 52). This was interesting, but this student approximation as the author had previo usly pointed out how you can build on something thats faulty. It appeared as though Maslows disagreement with the Christian faith was unfounded, but he build his own concept of self-similar to Christian values.There was a statement from McMinn which did cause this student question if there was a direct answer. McMinn stated, However, this view perpetuates the problem mentioned earlier, that Christianized form of therapy can be built on flawed, misleading, and damaging worldview assumptions. (2011, p. 25). The question this student was left with was is there any therapy that can agree with Christian beliefs without being built on a flawed worldview? The author gave this student of reason to pause when thinking about the different types of therapy that are currently used in counseling. Due to different statistics, success rates, and general practice it seems as a counselor you go with what works.However, McMinn has given this reader a different view on how therapy for the counsel or should be perceived with the integration of psychology, theology, and spirituality. It is not enough simply to use of therapy because statistically it has been proven to be successful. If certain theories in which some therapies are based are in direct opposition of godly counsel in this would need to be viewed more cautiously by the counselor. live up toAction steps this student can take as a result of what has been learned, specifically in regards to prayer would be as follows if a client desires to pray this student asked the client that comfort level in regards to pray aloud, silently or together. Further, learning pauses in a session can be a prime opportunity to pray silently for the client and guidance from God. McMinn stated, Praying during pauses in conversation is often the way not only to keep a spiritual focus in counseling but also to keep from impulsively filling the silence with unnecessary words. (2011, p. 83). Another action step this student will be winning a s a result of a lesson learned, investigateing theories and books which may be in opposition to Christian beliefs. This students mind of integration of psychology and Christianity are vital in be effective in parcel Gods people.For example, the book The Courage to Heal is used in many areas of sexual abuse. This student was unaware of the authors understanding of forgiveness and how the client is directed not to forgive the perpetrator of the abuse. If the client is Christian and this student is the counselor gave a homework assignment from this book regarding forgiveness this would create a problem. It is very important to understand, read fully, and research information which may be incorporated into a counseling session. It is not enough to use a therapy technique or intervention because it is favourite or has been proven effective. Steps must be taken to look into therapy and techniques are in line with God and His will.ReferencesMcMinn, M. (2011). Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (p. 254). Carol Stream, Illinois Tyndale House Publishers.