4-MAT Review: McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian Counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House
4-MAT Review: McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian Counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House
SUMMARY
Christian counseling deals with the integration of theology, spirituality, and counseling into the lives of clients and counselors. The book Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling provides a valuable insight to the three mentioned aspects that can be used to assist a person understand the various aspects that impact on their lives. The counselor has a role to play in integrating the issues on spirituality, theology, and psychology into his or her counseling session. Through these aspects, we can see the importance of a counselor to be in touch with their personal spirituality so that they can live as an example to others. Often, Christian counselors may have a difficult time addressing their personal faith to their clients. The main question they ask themselves is whether is it right for them to show or inform their clients of their Christian beliefs. This means that, in a counseling session, many counselors will refer to the issue of spirituality as a wayside aspect of counseling. McMinn (1996) in his book informs us the way as counselor can integrate their personal spirituality as ways of promoting guidance in a Christian perspective during the counseling sessions. McMinn approach shows the best way in which Christian counseling can impact on the lives of clients. The main goal of a Christian counselor is to assist clients through promoting their spiritual and mental growth. This will make the clients draw Christian faith from the counselor and tray to apply God guidance in their lives.
McMinn (1996) through his book allows us to see the crucial role of having a healthy and positive sense of one’s Christian beliefs in order to overcome challenges (McMinn, 1996, p 47). Praying is one of the ways that one can attain a healthy sense of one self. This is because; through prayer we get into contact with God. In his book, McMinn (1996) shows that those who often pray have a higher tendency of experiencing marital satisfaction have a direction and purpose in life and well-being (McMinn, 1996, p 66). The author shows that before the counselor uses prayer, he first should establish a relationship based on trusts with their clients. When this relationship is not available, the client can end the counseling session or simply pulls away.
Reading the Holy Scriptures during counseling sessions can also help developing a relationship based on trust. McMinn (1996) shows that the scripture provides the main ingredient for theological bondage and for contemplation that will help the client not fall into self worship or heresy (McMinn, 1996, p 107-108). Sin is to various psychological issues. Sin can be defined as the external and internal factors of attribution that impact on emotional behavior. This means that we can respond to a given situation depending on one’s views. Therefore, the counselors should play a proactive role in enabling clients not to be biased. The counselor should use Christian teachings to lead clients to the right perspective.
McMinn enables readers to view how a client’s confession can help in alleviating some of the emotional issues that the client is facing. By establishing a trust worthy relationship, the client will confide in the counselor. The trustworthy relationship allows the client to open up and be relaxed. McMinn indicates that forgiveness is a compassionate act that is when two people identify with one another. The integration of the word of God into the counseling session provides the client with the right path towards attaining emotional health.
Concrete Responses
After the passing away of a person close to me, I felt that life for me at reached its end, I went through a depressing moment, and I no longer went back to my daily duties. I decided to seek help from a professional psychiatrist, but he referred me to a Christian counselor. At first, I was not sure if I wanted to listen to anything of religious interaction because I did no longer believe on the existence of God in my life. However, I had no any other alternative but the Christian counseling. I had stopped praying to God and I told my counselor of losing faith in God. The counselor did not criticize my beliefs and during the session he used scripture teaching and prayer.
My main challenge was to find the answer on the question that had for long disturbed my soul. This is if God is so good why he lets a person suffer. My counselor’s advice is that God has a plan for, each one of us on earth. His main goal is not for us to suffer. That day, the counselor prayed with me, and I broke down to know that all along God was on my side. Prayers work. If the counselor had forced be to pray before I was ready, I could have quitted the session. I started to pray on my own and reflect on the Christian teachings that I learned from each lesson. Some were new, and others I had heard of them. This was through the comfortable and trust based relationship I had established with the counselor. I realized I need someone to guide me through my spiritual life because I was seeking redemption and forgiveness from God.
Reflection
McMinn’s book provides me with a better understanding on the role of a Christian counselor. Before reading his book, I could not understand how spirituality comes into counseling. I was amazed at the work of my counselor and how he managed to make me rely upon God. However, I have a concern on how the counselor can bring into picture aspects on spirituality when the client does not share the same Christian belief as that of the counselor. How will the counselor guide the client when they do not share the same Christian belief? McMinn (1996) emphasizes on the importance of behavioral/cognitive approach that should geode the counselors in knowing the right time of bringing the issue of spirituality into picture. This is because the counseling relationship will be when the counselor presents too much concepts of spirituality when the client is not ready. I like the way McMinn has presented his approach towards prayer. I agree with him that God is always available in a Christian counseling session. He is the one with power to give us emotional healing despite the suffering. The main factor in any counseling session is the ability of the counselor to display their spirituality approaches and spirituality and also his ability to blend spirituality and psychotherapy.
Action
Christianity is a well known religion across the world. Human beings get into constant temptations and we find ourselves falling into sin. The sin in us causes emotional unhealthiness and conflict within ourselves. A Christian counselor comes in to guide us on where we have gone wrong. The counselors have the ability to make a difference into people’s lives as we aim to regain a spiritual life. This is by first establishing a trust based relationship. As a Christian counselor, I will aim at examining the client’s belief through scripture and prayer that is relevant to the situation faced by clients. I will not judge my clients as they open up to me. McMinn book present the best approach of integrating the aspect of spiritually in a Christian based counseling session.
Reference
McMinn, M (1996) Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House
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