Essay about The Goals of Christian Counseling

The American Counseling Association website defines professional counseling as “a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals.” As the counseling profession has grown and the demand has increased over the years there has been some confusion of what the difference is between counseling and psychotherapy. Sharf (2012) reports, often times

I am so thankful for the amazing gift of grace that God as gifted us. Grace, as defined by McMinn is, “merciful kindness offered by God to those who do not and cannot ever deserve God’s kindness, and it is our only hope.” Grace is such an interesting concept. The idea that we have already been forgiven for our sins before we even commit a sin is not widely accepted by most people nowadays. When people sin, they feel a sense

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

Values, Morals, and Beliefs are components that play a role in an individual’s self-identity. The establishment of these components shape human nature, behavior, and the development of an individual’s purpose. The basis of these fundamentals has contributed to my desire to become a counselor. This paper will discuss my views of human nature, factors of behavior changes, goals of therapy, the roles of a therapist, and the counseling approaches that I chose to incorporate in a practice.

As a counseling student, it is very important to formulate a counseling theory tailored to ones’ own personality and beliefs. A counselor may choose a single theory to model when practicing therapy or pick and choose components and techniques from various theories, otherwise known as eclecticism. No theory is considered right or wrong. Understanding the different therapeutic approaches are important to effective counseling, however, counselors must also understand their own personal value, view of human nature, human behavior, counseling techniques and the purpose and goals of counseling. Understanding these components along with the different theoretical approaches will provide the counselor with a 9 knowledge of their own counseling, orientation and is essential to not only the productivity of counseling but the growth of the counselor as well.

The author of this book Mark McMinn explains how psychology, theology, and spirituality can all be integrated into Christian counseling. He discusses the difference between the three overlapping principles. He wrote this book especially for Christian counselors, pastors, as well as students so that they may clearly understand the meaning of the three principles, allowing them to apply it to everyday problems. The main question this book poses to answer is, How does a Christian counselor integrate their faith into a counseling session in a way that can be beneficial to their clients. He discusses the

McMinn unveils the realism of what essentially happens in the counseling office. He dives into the fitting together “Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling”. McMinn explains how “those who enter therapy in the midst of their pain experience a restorative counseling relationship that brings acceptance hope, and meaning into their broken lives” (McMinn, 2011, p. 20). There are various questions surrounding Christian counseling that McMinn faces head on in this book when it comes to the challenges counselors face as it relates to integrating religion and spirituality in their sessions. Life on the frontier as McMinn puts it, is where counselors face six basic challenges. Challenges such as moving from two areas of competence to three, blurred personal-professional distinctions, expanded definitions of training, confronting dominant views of mental health, establishing a scientific base or even defining relevant ethical standards (McMinn, 2011). Personal journey’s that McMinn has taken throughout his career provide him with the knowledge, skills and abilities to depict how we should face these challenges. McMinn talks about how many counselors have a need to interpret studies, have good psychodynamics and figure out which cognitive therapy is right for their counseling. As he states, “Christian counseling is more complex than other forms of counseling because our goal are multifaceted (McMinn, 2011, p.

This book is vital, timely, and significant. Important on the grounds, that the cherished gospel can be so effortlessly projected in our counseling. I think this is an awesome book not just for Christian counselors as well as for Christian clinicians and other Christians engaged with counseling. The way that counseling should be focused on Christ isn’t trivial, and this book fortifies the significance of gospel-focused counseling. I noticed myself not simply reading, but rather highlighting it, these bits of knowledge could be utilized as a part of some counseling sessions.

Summary In the book, Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark McMillian fulfills with excellent choice book for those Christian counseling who had chosen the path of Christian counseling. In the book, it focus on two primarily aspects which are: therapists who focus on religion counseling and therapists who does not focus on religion during a counseling session. In the first chapter written by James Wilholt, James discussed in chapter one about religion in a counseling session. James discussed of the importance of Christian faith in counseling.

These views are ideas of different counselors over the years and the un-Christian is definitely off the charts as I am concerned. No way would I ever use the un-Christian way of counseling. The spiritualize view is more like it should be but, health problems do exist in this world without a spiritual problem. I do believe in generational curses although, they can be broken by repentance and most of all obedience to His word and freewill, meaning following Christ (Exo. 20:5-6, Num. 14:18). The parallel view which believes in the principles of psychology seems to twist words, which to me is not good. Then we have the integrated view, this is the best view yet (Kirwan, 1984). It allows the word of God to test the spirits background while applying

My Goal is to hopefully help many people during their hardships and their daily life struggle's as a Christian Counselor. I am taking these classes to get a bachelor's degree in Christian Counseling and to further my education in psychology and/or chaplaincy. I believe that God did call me to do this because after praying for guidance on my future plans God lead me to liberty to further my education. One study skill that I have found that has truly helped me out is being organized. Since the beginning of my time here at Liberty, I have found that I'm able to do more and absorb more of the information being learned just by simple planning and organization. I keep my computer and books all in a single location and I also have a daily planner,

In today’s society many disorders may arise. Some of these issues include eating disorders, anxiety, gender-identity disorders, depression, addictions, and many others. However, there is another issue that brings individuals in the counseling setting, and that is the issue of sex and sexuality. Issues stemming from sex and sexuality can arise from same-sex attraction, pornography, infidelity, hormonal issues, and/or negative, inadequate beliefs and perceptions concerning sexuality. Licensed professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, etc…, are trained and usually prepared for these types of disorders, however, certain types of counselors, licensed or not, are not trained in this area. There are various distorted views on sexuality, and these distorted views are across the board. So it begs the question are Christian counselors equipped to handle these types of disorders and many others. If so, what models do they follow in order to help an individual struggling with these issues? This critique will interview a Christian counselor/Addition specialist concerning her viewpoint on human sexuality and her personal model for decision-making in dealing with individuals who struggle in the area of sexuality and/or in any of the other aforementioned areas.

This text helped me develop a more practical view of Christian counseling. In my current area, there are no licensed Christian counselors. Because of this, I am finding that I am in the minority as I strive to make connections. My goal is to be able to be professional, ethical and effective, and to represent Christ in session and out of session. My first action step would be to commit my own personal life to prayer, studying the scripture, pursuing awareness of my sin, confession and forgiveness (McMinn, 2011). In all these things I want to make sure my goal of growth is focused on pursuing Christ, not winning over the affections or seeking approval from local professionals. This first step does have a multitude of steps within it, however,

Hello Hernel excellent post, I agree with your post on not forcing pray on the client we as counselor have to slowly incorporate pray in out session. But it’s not hard to incorporate pray with Mary because she is still a believer but there was a great distance between her and God. According to the book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, by Mark R. McMinn, a believer is an individual who believes and has faith in something or someone. The faith can either be legitimate which is said to be true faith or illegitimate one said to be pretended faith. Therefore, the conclusion that Mary is still a believer although to her, God is at a far distance is true. Also, from the book by Mark R. McMinn, believing is said to be

The main point was within the therapy his faith, especially that he asked from the beginning for a Christian therapist to discuss with him his issues. When I started to process with him his thought, narratives, images, and assumption about his spiritual life, I was keen to not push him so deep, to understand his own narrative unique perspective, and his own experiences and moral maturity. The aim was increasing congruence between the valuing, believing, feeling, and acting self to understand the client’s personhood, because as I believe that the journey of healing starts with the combination between maturity and personal insight. His main conflict was how to apply the Christian values within the work community at the church, especially that