Solution-Based, Short-Term Pastoral Counsleing Final Project
By
Mike Garner
Presented to Dr. Robyn Simmons
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of
Introduction to Pastoral Counseling
PACO 500
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
Lynchburg, VA
March 3, 2013
Abstract
My future ministry will be as Co-Pastor of a medium sized Community Church in Lewisville, Texas. Each Sunday the church will have approximately 240 in attendance of Sunday morning worship service. My overarching goal for life is to live in and teach others how to grow in the hope that comes from the redemption provided by Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Ephesians 1:7)
I will be using the solution-based, short-term pastoral counseling model based
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Building rapport with the counselee is more than being friendly, it is vital that the counselor understands the problem that is presented. Equally important is that the counselor has a clear understanding of their own personality in order to recognize possibilities for disconnect with the counselee before they occur. Once understanding is achieved, the counselor can construct an environment that encourages growth or relocation away from the problem (Hawkins, pt. 2). As stated in the beginning, this counseling model recognizes that the counselee is the source of the solution, but by establishing “Fit,” the counselor can create a context for change. This context is developed through a counseling style that conveys empathy, respect and authenticity. These elements can only be demonstrated if they already reside within the counselor, as a result of a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ (Hawkins pt. 2). Assessment of the problem is an element that must occur in the first session. While there many tools specifically designed for assessment, those tools require specific training and can compromise the time limitations for this model. Assessment in this process is primarily an exercise of the counselor listening well while the counselee talks (Hawkins, pt. 3).
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
After reviewing the important concepts of the Hawkins and Clinton book, I was able to finalize the 8 most interesting points. During the book review, it was mentioned that as Christian counselors, we need to maintain a steady pace with the progression in research, practice, and treatment (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 2). From my understanding, enhancing our counseling methods and incorporating valuable resources, will result in a more spiritual work in the ministry of counseling.
According to Hawkins and Clinton (2015), Christian counseling is a collective process that includes at least three persons which are the counselor, the client and God’s trinity (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 39). The main objective of the relationship between these three forces is to obtain transformational
Pastoral Care and Counseling has been a very informative class in many areas that we will deal with as pastors and counselors. The areas that I believe are essential for me to continue to educate myself and be aware of are in the importance of the church, understanding the priority of visiting sick and dying of members, and
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.
To prepare churches for the challenges of pastoral searches, I recently introduced a fictitious congregation named “St. Barnabas Lutheran Church.” Readers provided a good deal of affirmation for the post, but they also wanted to know how to improve the call process. We go back to St. Barnabas today to start answering that question.
The American Counseling Association (2014) defines counseling as a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals to meet their goals in various areas of their life. I view counseling as a ministry that is designed to help individuals acquire the skills necessary to deal with life experiences and foster positive relationships, and establish and complete goals. According to Flanagan & Flanagan (2014), establishing a positive rapport is essential before developing assessments and interventions (p.7). Therefore, I will take the necessary steps in building positive rapports with my clients.
In your role as a School Chaplain, you experience apathy and hostility to religion which is demonstrated as a deep ingrained suspicion of your motives and ministry. How would you deal with this prevailing attitude and change the culture and ethos of the workplace, so you can function effectively in your chaplaincy/pastoral care role?
Furthermore, the observation will provide an opportunity to examine how counselors can work more effectively with clients who hold religious beliefs and how to connect with clients of faith. The activity will take place on
While many therapists (I not being one, nor visiting one) have typical things that they use on their clients, according to Gregory each person has their own treatment made just for them. Why would it be important to return to this historical image of Christian pastoral care; the answer, in my opinion, would be to help as many people as possible. The reason that I am going into art therapy is so that I can help people as much as I can. With this pastoral care, people would be able to, for one, go to someone that they trust (verse build a relationship and then work on clients problems), get a very personalized treatment for what aids them, as well as have someone that is constantly in their lives.
Carmon, you did an exceptional job at describing the necessity for research even though it is not considered to be glamorous by most individuals in the counseling profession. Furthermore, the statement that you made concerning the need for further research and practice management is required for effective Christian lay counseling to mature. With this statement of yours, I am in complete agreement. Additionally, you also mentioned the need for this research to be collected by using the scientific method by developing a hypothesis and testing that hypothesis through a systematic approach. I too also feel that this is the best method for Christian lay counseling to be validated to our professional counseling brethren.
The purpose of this assignment, is for the Writer to examine the differences between pastoral care and counseling. With this said, the writer will examine, analyze and describe gaps that relates to the following topic areas: 1) Similarities in pastoral care and pastoral counseling; 2) Differences in pastoral care and pastoral counseling; 3) Identifiable role of care or counseling to be assumed; 4) Similarities and Difference that impact counselors decision to refer out; and 5) When appropriate to refer to a pastoral counselor or pastoral care giver?
Crabb spends a great deal of time discussing how problems develop. He defines the irrational protective behaviors of guilt, anxiety, and resentment as preneurotic experiences (Crabb, 1977, pp. 132 - 133). He further states that it is a preneurotic individual’s objective to overcome his/her obstacle and reach their goal. Complete neurosis occurs when a person develops and presents symptom(s) that would keep him/her from lowering their self-esteem below its current state,
My future ministry is and always has been, the continued work of the Lord. To share His name and the great love that He has for all of His creations. That in my work I will be able to continue to do what God has given me the ability to do in the past. Share His name, bring more people to Him, pray for and help all of the lost find their way to salvation. Show those that have never known what the true love of Christ is all about and how to love them unconditionally through Christ. To continue to help those that are less fortunate. To feed those that are hungry. To give coats and blankets to those that are cold.
The ability to serve God in the role of a pastoral minister is a humbling experience and one that has to be taken very seriously. The ability to enter into personal situations, positive or negative, with other human beings when they are looking for support to circumstances in their life can be life changing for all people involved. It is imperative that the pastor develop a solid understanding of theology. It is also important to note that individuals will indeed develop different understandings of God’s word.