As I think of a Biblical approach to career counseling, I am reminded of Proverbs 20:5, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out” As Christian career counselors, we have the responsibility of guiding people to understand God’s will and plan as they make decisions. In most cases, people make rushed decisions without really thinking them through. As Christians we acknowledge that God is a God of order and even in our decision making we need to think through our choices. For example using guidelines like the 7C’s of decision making, we can help our clients make life decisions that honor God.
In addition, having an understanding of the creation, fall, and redemption narrative we are able to understand
Bob Kelleman, in his book Gospel-Centered Counseling, suggests that a study of human mind is not a product of modern psychology. However, men’s attempt to know and understand human suffering and problems began even far back from Greek philosophy. Thus, Paul rightly says in Colossians 2:8, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (KJV).” However, it is certainly true that rise of psychology in modern era restricted the use of counseling to a secular world, while breaking a tie between counseling and religion in its usage. Secular society claimed counseling has no place in religion, its usage and methodology can be utilized and systemized only by pure science. This is how Christian ministry began to lose a counseling in its domain.
The creation account is so significant to the Christian worldview because it shows you how we became about.
Authors Hawkins and Clinton (2015) starts the text “The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical and Transformational Approach” by explaining their vision of the future of Christian counseling and remind us as counselors our role in performing our duties spiritually by helping shape us into better counselors. The authors do this throughout by explaining their definition, direction. and focus of the counseling practice in the 21st century.
Ron Hawkins and Tim Clinton (2015), The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical & Transformational Approach book, is a resourceful guide for Christian counselors. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) state, “that the discipline of Christian Counseling is growing into a solid and substantiated multifaceted scriptural discipline of wide-reaching distinction” (p. 5). Furthermore, the definition of what Christian counseling is has changed over time.
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.
When making career decisions that are in harmony with one’s self and with the will of God (Christian, 208) one should be praying for wisdom to make godly decisions, sensing inner
I feel a career choice may be something at first many are UN easy about and may feel could be making the wrong decision. I want peace from the Holy Spirit, I want the peace knowing this career decision is for me and with that I will find confidence.
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.
At the beginning of the semester, the framework for professional clinical counseling was presented during the class session. The objective was to study what the world calls “counseling” and how it is designed to provide the correct treatment to these people. The professional clinical model calls for a trained professional to handle the catharsis of the client in a controlled environment on the basis of a fiduciary relationship. Deliberate and guided questions are asked from the therapist to encourage catharsis. Once the professional compiles sufficient evidence via resources and intuitivism, a treatment plan would be prescribed. The client has a choice of accepting the treatment or
The primary goal of Dr. Crabb is to give the new counselor an effective way to ministry to their clients in an easy step by step method. Dr. Crabb focuses his method on the client building their relationship with Christ to develop healing and wholeness in the view of what Christ created them to be. His focus is totally on the client’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The counselor’s role is to assist the client in growing in identifying their own problems and solutions based in light of God’s great mercy
Christian counseling and secular has primarily the same goal and desire, that is to assist people with overcoming life obstacles that they are facing. In addition, they both seek to help their clients find balance in life, find joy, and be healthy and adaptable individuals, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Furthermore, there are many difference between the two. However, there are many approaches that a Christian counselor could use. Although, both Christian counseling and professional counseling have their place, there are models that can be integrated that will lead to healthy sessions with clients. The purpose of this paper is to look at those applications of biblical truth that is accepted in secular counseling techniques,
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.
Biblical counseling is a ministry of the local church whereby transforming individual’s beliefs into following the family of Christ. It is sanctioned to empower us as believers in Christ Jesus, allowing all to know that we can do all things through Him. If one believes in Christ, He can help lead us, guide us, counsel us, provide remedies for us, and show us how to handle any situation through the word of God. In the process He will allow us to let His wisdom shine and to teach us how to help others in this world of sin. We as biblical counselors can learn to help people in every circumstance.
Perhaps one of the simple ways to understand the essence of career counselling is by examining what it isn’t about. Career counselling is not a process where the person is told what career they should pursue in terms of simply stating the job the person should apply for or the course they should enrol in.
As a potential counselor, there are different reasons why I choose this journey to be a helper, servant and a leader. Not only was my early experiences in life a stepping stone towards this path, but my faith in God and the realities of life led me as well. Even though I am still creating my future towards this goal, there is no doubt that I am called to be in servitude to others. In this journey, I am appreciating the learning fundamentals I have gained from the academic coursework, professionals/teachers and experience that I have encountered to be molded into a multicultural competent counselor. By taking advantage of this opportunity of learning, I have chosen a theoretical orientation that best suits me as a potential clinician according to my beliefs, values and logical thinking. It is also noteworthy to indicate that the self-awareness of my beliefs, values, interests and thought process has been further explored due to the assessments and activities of the Life Story Board, Meyer-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Strong Interest Inventory (SII), My Career Story, and Career Genogram, including a reflection of my spiritual walk with Christ.