My Baptist Faith Tradition

A counselor’s job is to journey along with their client and to provide insight and support to those who are at risk and those who are hurting and searching for comfort and acceptance. If the counselor is a Christian they will also want to share our Heavenly Father’s love with the counselee and help guide them on a path that will lead them to Christ. There are several different techniques that can be used to break through the walls of some people in order to help them recognize the basis for their feelings whether it is such things as sin or faulty

How can a Christian counselor effectively counsel clients while holding to their convictions of faith? This question is one that many have to think upon. In reading the textbook for this class, the author takes the secular theories and breaks them apart. As a counselor, Christian or not, it is very important to pull from different theories rather than devote solely to one theory. Each individual coming in to the therapist’s office is wired differently in personality and belief system. As a Christian therapist, it is important to know the individual in the client’s chair. Being open with them about where one stands spiritually is a priority. The goal is to be able to take any theory and “think” Christianly. Every counselor is different, but there are central characteristics that one must focus their practice on while working with clients. The main goal as a Christian therapist is to integrate psychology, professional ethics, Scripture and the very character of Jesus in a way that never compromises the authority of God.

Hawkins and Clinton (2015), stated that using the knowledge of counseling and incorporating it in the theology and spirituality, delivers a deeper counseling session with clients seeking a closer connection to God and a sense of hope (p. 8). Psychological issues apart from spiritual issues are presented in the text. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) argue the “overcoming the faith gap” as an issue, and state that the most challenging part for clients seeking services is doubting the fact that, incorporating theology/spirituality counseling may not fulfill their needs (p.

B. Preston Bogia (1984) quotes Charles Wheeler Scott (Pastoral Psychology, February, 1972): "It should not be forgotten that one of the advantages the pastoral counselor has over his secular counter part is that he works within the context of a worshipping community." This means that a pastor should not be alone in the counseling room, he should have witnesses but who are faithful but a counselor should be a pastor of that worshipping community.

Highlighting some theological assumptions that are critical for Christian counseling will be done in this section. The term counseling should be considered in the broadest of definitions such as counselor, helper, advocate, giving advice, teacher, and one who is called

This paper will provide the reader with a reflection of my professional identity. This will focus on the role of a professional counselor and the differences between a professional counselor and other related professionals. It will also integrate how religious and spiritual beliefs can impact professional counseling. It will summarize my beliefs and values and what I plan to do so that I will not impose my beliefs on clients. Also, I will reflect on what I have learned during this course and how it will impact my future as a counselor.

When I was in my early teens, these realizations gradually sunk in as many of the Christian mentors in my life helped me understand how the scriptures are verified time after time. Not only this, but reading my Bible for myself helped me realize the truths within its words. I recognize that the same God of the Old Testament stories is the God who is still active in my life. I have been given a new perspective through my experience with truth.

As a reflection of the significance of the item learned God is at the beginning, for our Christian faith and Christian life, how we live makes a difference in what God will do in the end.

As a counselor, being aware of the theoretical approaches and which ones best suit your perspective on human nature, complications, and change for an individual is vital. Not only is understanding the approaches important, but the counselor’s own values and personal philosophy are equally fundamental for the counselor to do their job efficiently.

Christian counselors should be exceptionally careful when counseling clients in a secular counseling setting. Despite worldview contradictions, any counselor should show honor other views. Therefore respecting clients who are coming to counseling, who have different perspectives should be a commitment of counselor. If Christian counselor is confronting a client who is non-Christian living in a "sin" is particularly challenging. Since "sin" is explained as "wrong behavior" in secular human perspective. So, a Christian counselor should be sensible, knowledgeable, competent and also wise in confronting such behavior of the client. Moreover, utilizing prayer and scripture in a counseling session either directly or indirectly could also raise

Hello Professor, when it comes to your question about I found two article that talk about how that as a student and a professional counselor we should be diverse when it comes to others religious and spiritual beliefs. It is up to the teachers to show the students that when it comes to diversity that we should know how to handle different situations and understand that when we come to having a profession in counseling we should continue to educate ourselves so diversity is not an issues when it comes to our clients. Even though there are differences we should never push away a client because of own believes. I do feel that since this is a calling for most of us that we should learn and find ways to fulfil this calling to the best of our abilities.

In order to go forth with any counseling session; one needs to study the Bible passage carefully to discover biblical principles applicable to each person and what they are going through, then one will need to utilize said Godly principles. Consequently, one will need to be creative in how the Bible is used in each counseling session. One will need to ensure that they get to know the person that they are counseling, the issues that they face, and what their spiritual belief is.

In my second field experience, I’d decided to go to a Baptist church. However, I did not come from a religious background. Although I am not completely in the dark when it comes to religion I have learn about different religion through friends and books. Therefore, I thought this would be a great opportunity to finally experience a service and put my ignorance aside. Meaning the assumption and expectation I had of church service. Furthermore, it provided me the opportunity to challenge myself and my own biases I have towards going to church. Once I went to church I was surprise to see so many black people, for the first time since I moved too Greensburg, I was actual able to see a room overflowing with individual who looked just like me, my first emotion was excitement and enjoy. Some of my expectation, was something I have learned from my mother. My mother always told me that “black people churches last longer”, with this in mind I was prepare to be there for a long time. However, to my surprise it did not last as long as I’d expected it to. My overall experience, was warming, peaceful and positive.

Jesus Christ is the Great Counselor; therefore, He is the ultimate example worth following if one wishes to be a counselor. The characteristics, personality, and values of a Christian counselor are embodied in Christ, the world has much to learn from Him. Society has come a long way in developing techniques and theories for the counseling field and in comparison to Jesus many seem to be derived from Him. Ultimately, the way to live one’s life is found in the ways of Christ and what it means to be a counselor can be found in the way Christ lives His life.

Counselors need to be aware of diverse cultures and understand their own biases, values, beliefs, and