Religion and Christian Counselor
Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling
Liberty University
Shelita Williams, Behavioral Science, Student Cohort BHS44, Liberty University.
This is a student paper submitted on August 12, 2012, to fulfill course requirement for Integration of Psychology and Theology (COUN 506), Week 7, 4MAT. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Shelita Williams, Charlottesville, VA. E-mail: swilliams322@liberty.edu
Summary When reading psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling McMinn (2011) focuses on two secret places in the counselor’s lives (p.xxi). McMinn (2011), first place focuses on the counseling office and what take place behind close doors. Secondly the spiritual life of Christian counselors reflecting upon the counselor’s personal lifestyle and his or her task within the counseling sessions. McMinn (2011) also informs the counselors of how he or she should integrate Christian faith into the counseling sessions but not focusing on the relationship between psychology and theology. McMinn focuses on the insight of allowing the client the opportunity to see the integration of the three perspective approaches. The integration of the psychology, theology and spirituality gives the individual the opportunity to identify certain aspects within their lives, which may be enhanced when the counselor includes spirituality within the counseling session. McMinn (2011) lets us know that it is very important for the spiritual life of Christian counselor to be identifiable, for the purposes of intradisciplinary integration, to allow distinction between the professional and personal life. When distinguishing the two it becomes difficult to define the Christian counselor’s piety and personal practices that could affect the counseling process, outcomes and/or expectations of the client (p.12). The Christian counselor has to be in touch with his or her own personal spirituality so they
Liberty University
Shelita Williams, Behavioral Science, Student Cohort BHS44, Liberty University.
This is a student paper submitted on August 12, 2012, to fulfill course requirement for Integration of Psychology and Theology (COUN 506), Week 7, 4MAT. Correspondence concerning this paper should be addressed to Shelita Williams, Charlottesville, VA. E-mail: swilliams322@liberty.edu
Summary When reading psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling McMinn (2011) focuses on two secret places in the counselor’s lives (p.xxi). McMinn (2011), first place focuses on the counseling office and what take place behind close doors. Secondly the spiritual life of Christian counselors reflecting upon the counselor’s personal lifestyle and his or her task within the counseling sessions. McMinn (2011) also informs the counselors of how he or she should integrate Christian faith into the counseling sessions but not focusing on the relationship between psychology and theology. McMinn focuses on the insight of allowing the client the opportunity to see the integration of the three perspective approaches. The integration of the psychology, theology and spirituality gives the individual the opportunity to identify certain aspects within their lives, which may be enhanced when the counselor includes spirituality within the counseling session. McMinn (2011) lets us know that it is very important for the spiritual life of Christian counselor to be identifiable, for the purposes of intradisciplinary integration, to allow distinction between the professional and personal life. When distinguishing the two it becomes difficult to define the Christian counselor’s piety and personal practices that could affect the counseling process, outcomes and/or expectations of the client (p.12). The Christian counselor has to be in touch with his or her own personal spirituality so they
References: McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House