...Biblical Counseling: Compare and Contrast Secular Counseling Theories 1 The definition of counseling in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary says “professional guidance of the individual by utilizing psychological methods especially in collecting case history data, using various techniques of the personal interview, and testing interests and aptitudes” (counseling. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. Retrieved November 24, 2013, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counseling ). Each person was brought into this world with brokenness, temptations and sin. We are all a work in progress and it takes daily reliance on Christ to overcome our challenges. However, we can trust that “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil 1:6) When someone seeks out counseling it’s usually for help in dealing with pain, hurt, depression, or seeking counsel about situations in their life that need to be addressed. The intent of this paper is to compare and contrast the parallel between Dr. Larry Crabb’s biblical model of teaching in Christian counseling theories with scientific proven methods to counsel and treat individuals with these secular counseling models Cognitive- Behavior Therapy (CBT), Rogers’ Client-Centered Therapy (RCCT), and Ellis’s Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Goal of Christian Counseling When looking at the accepted counseling standards, theories...
Words: 1466 - Pages: 6
...Study Comparison of Biblical Counseling with Secular Counseling Theories Demetrius E. Hurt Liberty University CCOU 201 A Study Comparison of Biblical Counseling with Secular Counseling Theories In the world today issues surrounding mental illness are in the forefront of our healthcare systems, legal systems, social circles and yes, even in our churches. Though each of the aforementioned systems takes a different approach on how to tackle the problem of mental illness, one thing is for sure-the need for more qualified counselors is on the rise. Luckily, the counseling profession has grown and employs theories from the secular world as well as the religious world. Though the strategies and treatment goals may be different, both groups of counseling professionals work diligently to support those suffering from mental illness and bring them into a sense of well-being. To that end, the author of this paper will examine the theories and ideologies of both groups of counseling professionals, examine therapeutic remedies that are alike between the two and how they differ in the way they interact with clients and mental illness. The Goal of Christian Counseling The goal of any counseling professional is to assist the client with identifying skills and tools that will help them to achieve mental well-being. Each counselor no doubt uses a multifaceted approach with a wide menu of therapeutic options to achieve this goal. However, the Christian Counselor not only seeks to...
Words: 2449 - Pages: 10
...Crabb PACO 507 Theology and Spirituality Counseling Susie N. McCoy Liberty University Dr. Max Mills Spring 2014 Comparison of Larry Crabb’s Book Effective Biblical Counseling This comparison paper will briefly evaluate Larry Crabb’s (1977) reflection, responses, and summary given in his book Effective Biblical Counseling: A Model for Helping Caring Christians Become Capable Counselors, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. This comparison will reflect on Crabb’s (1977) four approaches to integrating the Bible and counseling, and his three levels of counseling models that can be integrated into the functioning of a local church. This study will explore that one must be a caring Christian in order to become a capable counselor and that any approach to counseling that is Biblical base will be successful among a body of believers in a local church setting. Crabb (1977) stated that since effective counseling requires both a caring attitude and an understanding heart of Christian love of human functioning, than the mature believers in the local churches need to be train in counseling insights and skills (p. 14). Summary: Crabb’s Theory/Methodology In his book Crabb (1977) offered three levels of counseling to be used in the local church. The first one that should be implemented is educating the believers of the local church with the strategies and method of biblical counseling. His second level is exhortation in counseling. He defined exhortation as the requirement...
Words: 1665 - Pages: 7
... Summary Dr. Crabb ‘s model integrates theology and psychology and refers to it as, “Spoiling the Egyptians (Crabb, 1977). His approach geared more to sound biblical principles and doctrine. I researched “Spoiling the Egyptians”, as to, I was curious about the scripture base. Spoiling the Egyptians refers to Exodus 12:40-42, as God watched over the Israelites as they went through the wilderness, and crossed over in the promise land. When the Israelites were hungry, God fed the manna. He spoiled them by giving them what they needed to be sustained. Up to a certain point, Dr. Crabb looked at psychology and theology going hand in hand with psychology being the basis of theology. In other words, you can’t use one without the other. Dr. Crabb suggests that our reaction to difficult life experiences take one of three forms: guilt, resentment, or anxiety (Crabb, 1977). I would have to agree. Most non-believers believe that their life misfortunes are a result of something they did and therefore, take on the guilt and resentment, which in turn causes anxiety and initiates the need for counseling from secular counselors. Dr. Crabb doesn’t totally disregard secular counseling, in fact he suggest that Christian counselors should evaluate the world’s counseling model against biblical principles and doctrine. Dr. Hawkins model of counseling is centered on five circles that show self and everything that shapes us into who we are. Dr. Hawkins model seems to be centered on a circle...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
...Comparison Paper “Effective Biblical Counseling” By Dr. Larry Crabb Presented to Dr. Jaeduk Kim Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary Lynchburg, VA In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the course Theology and Spirituality in Counseling PACO 507-B02 By James E. Hulsey (ID#L24531662) AUGUST 31, 2013 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………...01 II. Summary…………………………………………………………………………………...02 III. Practical Application and Conclusion….............................................................................09 IV. References……………………………………………………………………………...….10 Comparison Paper “Effective Biblical Counseling: A Model for Helping Caring Christians become capable Counselors” By Dr. Larry Crabb I. Introduction Christian Counselors should always be looking for assistance with the development of higher levels of competency by examining the content, comprehensiveness, and validity of a variety of counseling theories developed by prominent Christian counselors.[1] Ron Hawkins teaches that “Christian counselor help people to see their problems and then see how to get of problems. Contributions by various Christian Counselor’s and authors like, Dr. Larry Crabb will equip other Christian counselors to help people solve the various problems...
Words: 2997 - Pages: 12
...our problems in life are simply the way we interpret our experiences. People who can have positive feelings towards situations are able to cope with their problems in a healthy way. And people who negatively view their experiences are more likely to fight guilt, resentment and anxiety. This is where counselors come in, for simple problems the counselor can just be a friend they do not need to be a professional simply someone who can listen and help sort out life experiences and offer simple advice. However, for the larger problems a professional counselor is needed. Dr. Crabb wrote Effective Biblical Counseling in an attempt to bridge the gap between psychology and religion, to use the principles and theories of psychology to enhance the practice of Biblical counseling (Crabb, 1977). Christian counseling is seen separately from secular counseling because Christian counseling relies upon Biblical concepts that are not recognized or used by secular counselors. These concepts are redemption and sanctification in Christ and the role of the Holy...
Words: 1797 - Pages: 8
...Counseling Theory of Larry Crabb Sandy La-Ree Trudgeon Liberty Theological University – Seminary A Paper Submitted to Assistant Professor Max Mills In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Course in Theology and Spirituality in Counseling PACO 507 D02 LUO 201240 December 2012 About the Author Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Crabb Jr. has a PhD. In Psychology and has been writing books for over 35 years. He is a popular conference and seminar speaker, teaches Bible classes, and is the founder and director of NewWay Ministries. Since 1996 he has been the scholar in residence at the Colorado Christian University and currently serves as the Spiritual Director for the American Association of Christian Counselors. He has a minor in speech therapy and philosophy of science from the University of Illinois where he obtained his PhD.. He and his wife, Rachel, live near Denver Colorado. Once Dr. Crabb suggested that should he ever write a book about himself, he will entitle it: “Sovereign Stumbling” as God has led him on a journey where he stumbled and God picked him up and carried him through with Sovereignty. Summary of Theory Dr. Larry Crabb is a very spiritual writer whom has integrated the psychological aspects of secular counseling with that of the Christian counselor in such a way that multitasking can be implemented by way of running everything past the Biblical principles presented in God’s Word. There are three types of counseling that are thought to be important...
Words: 2010 - Pages: 9
...Liberty University Baptist Theological Seminary A Paper Submitted to Dr. Marcus Tanner, LMFTA in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course, Theology and Spirituality in Counseling PACO 507 - D05 Name of Student: John Santiago Student ID: L24473755 Class: PACO 507-D05 LUO Instructor’s Name: Dr. Marcus Tanner, LMFTA Date Submitted: 03/20/2014 Summary Dr. Crabb’s book “Effective Biblical Counseling: a Model for Helping Caring Christians Become Capable Counselors,” (Crabb, 1997), breaks problematic areas up into two categories. The first categories are those resulting from natural or physical causes. The second is composed mostly of problem that are essentially moral. It has been said by some and demeaned by others that Dr. Crabb has a somewhat unique approach to counseling. His Biblical counseling explained in his afore mentioned book and his first book, Basic Principles of Biblical Counseling, extols upon the basic parts and theories of his system, along with many changes in theology and he places an emphasis on his belief that, “. . . the most basic problem of every human being is his separation from God, a gulf made necessary by the fact that God is holy and we are not" (p. 17). Primary Goal: (What is the desired outcome?). Crabb first describes for us what he terms as; “Separate but equal” approach (Crabb, 1977). This approach representitive of those who would believe through Christ, “scripture deals with the spiritual and...
Words: 2726 - Pages: 11
...Family Counseling Approach: Structural Model Jennifer Tankard Liberty University Abstract Structural family therapist takes an approach to therapy that seeks to help the entire family rather than looking at the family member that has a presenting problem. Healthy families have a healthy balance within the family subset when clearly defined roles are present. Structural family therapy was developed by Salvador Minuchin and a team of researchers from New York. The techniques of the theory are centered on creating a healthy relationship among family members. Structural family therapist looks at creating a healthy partnership with each member of the family to help the family find a solution to their problem. Structural family therapy can be integrated with a biblical worldview. Counseling from a Christian perspective will help families understand God’s design for the family, and understand the role of each member as stated in scripture. Christian counselors using an integrative approach to structural therapy will be able to help families see the biblical roles that God has set for the husband/father, wife/mother and the children/siblings to develop a functional family. Keywords: Theory, intervention, psychosomatic, integration, structural therapy, dysfunction, family. Part I Introduction Everyone has a family. Each family is different in how the system functions. A family is defined in many different ways. Some consist of the traditional definition of father, mother...
Words: 4305 - Pages: 18
...Running head: PSYCHOANALYTIC FAMILY COUNSELING APPROACH Psychoanalytic Family Therapy Counseling Approach Liberty University 2012 COUN 601-B05 LUO Dr. Jenkins Abstract When a family’s environment becomes saturated with chronic conflict the members become unable to achieve a healthy balance and mutual respect. This turmoil needs to be neutralized rather than exacerbated, in order to gain mutual respect for all family members. Family therapy can establish the reduction of conflict among the family system. Sometimes a family member can be diagnosed with a disorder creating anger and resentment among members. The family members’ symptoms can be manifested through fear, anxiety and trepidation with in his or her unique story (Mesh et Al, 2006, ¶ 3). The uniqueness of the family unit can carry through to how this system responds to counseling. A family can benefit from recognizing the signs of panic, anxiety, and or dysfunctional communication. This recognition can allow the family unit to seek counseling to neutralize family conflict and to gain effective coping skills. I enjoyed reading Worthington’s’ Hope Focused marriage Counseling. If their is one thing that I try to accomplish through the Lord everyday with patients and families is to re-affirm belief and give hope. Re-aspiring hope can be used in our life and in counseling as a core Christian value by making God first in our lives. As Christian counselors this means teaching others to continuously seek his...
Words: 1576 - Pages: 7
...LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY A COMPARISON PAPER: EFFECTIVE BIBLICAL COUNSELING: A MODEL FOR HELPING CARING CHRISTIANS BECOME CAPABLE COUNSELORS BY LARRY CRABB A PAPER SUBMITTED TO DR. JOHNNY BAKER IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE PACO 507 D01 BY BEN CURTIS BARKLEY SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2014 I. SUMMARY 1. Primary goal (What is the desired outcome?) The primary goal of the author is to allow people to be free to worship and serve God better. In short the author wants to show the reader how to move from the mindset of “I want to be happy,” to a mindset of trying to be more like Christ (Crabb, 22). 2. Development of problems and personal need (How do the issues come about?) The author states that people have two primary needs. These needs are significance and security with secondary being acquired needs. Acquired needs are those that meet a primary need (Crabb, 112). The problem rises to the surface when any of these needs are not met. The author states there are three types of obstacles that interfere with achieving a chosen goal. They are Unreachable Goals, External Circumstances, and Fear of Failure (Crabb, 125). 3. Biblical integration (How much of the Bible is used in this methodology?) The author clearly states that anything that is anti-God in methodology should be rejected. However, there are different types of approaches, “separate but equal (where psychology and biblical teaching are equivalent);” “tossed salad...
Words: 1323 - Pages: 6
...observation of nature as its primary source,” whereas “theology utilizes Scripture as its primary source” (p. 135). Psychology and Christianity are discussed under five models of integration within the text. These models are Enemies, Spies, Colonists, Neutral Parties, and Allies. The Enemies model pits psychology and theology against one another. One either chooses the scientific path of psychology or goes the spiritual route with theology to solve a problem. There is no room to integrate the two. People who follow this model are either spiritual or scientific. They do not believe the two are intertwined. Entwistle further divides the Enemies into Secular Combatants, who embrace psychology without any religious authority, and the Christian Combatants, who embrace religious authority and work to protect it from human interference (Entwistle, p. 138). The Spies model recognizes the benefits of religion and Scripture but does not seek to integrate the religious aspect into psychology. If religion does try to play a part, it is reduced to the most minimalist form. Therefore, the therapist may recognize his or her client attends Church and even encourages such attendance. However, the therapist will not seek to discuss Scripture or use prayer as a counseling tool (Entiwistle, p. 142). Those following a Colonist model are more inclined to introduce Theology into Psychology, but with restrictions. Colonists will carefully select what elements of Psychology are useful and then work...
Words: 1531 - Pages: 7
...in group counseling. This author will define what group ethics is according to the psychological organizations such as the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the Association of Specialist in Group Work (ASGW). This author will also address what the American Association of Christian Counselor (AACC) has to say about the ethical standards for Christian Counseling. To effectively practice ethically group therapy a counselor needs to internalize the morals, values, and behavioral makeup of each individual within the group. This paper will also look at the comparison between group and individual psychotherapy and why a counselor will choose between the two. The group processes in both individual and group psychotherapy are a positive catalyst for personal growth within the individual psyche. Whereas group therapy tends to address interactional and interpersonal, individual therapy usually looks at the intra-psychic. Group therapy has been proven to have effective treatment benefits in the treatment with various psychological and personal problems. The final section will address the ethical challenges this author may face and her biblical perspective in counseling, her personal leadership qualities and her personal approach to group counseling. Counseling in our society has gone through multiple changes in the recent years. More individuals are looking into receiving support and guidance in the way of group counseling. Due to the increase in counseling theories...
Words: 4546 - Pages: 19
...in which they look at their own expectations and experiences. And with this comes a natural perception of assumption. Worldviews can be learned in many different aspects: family, school, media, and religion. There are two aspects that both psychology and theology have in common: human behavior and the healing of shattered lives; however, each approaches the aspect of human behavior with different assumptions, approaches, and goals (Entwistle, 2010). Entwistle explains psychology seeks out natural reasoning as to why events occur. A combination of empirical evidence and reasoning are ways psychologists develop theories as well as analyze data; however, an individual’s worldview can and typically will influence those conclusions. Most Christians seek out natural explanations for the events they experience or try and rationalize events through supernatural means. There are five...
Words: 1438 - Pages: 6
...Counseling Theory Paper Cherish Stokely Liberty University Abstract This counseling theory paper combines different aspects of various counseling theories and puts them into one unified theory. This new theory takes in account my personal beliefs and worldview. This theory is not permanent, but is put together to allow direction for future counseling sessions. Although each client has a unique situation, this theory can be a basis on how a counselor would start the interaction between herself and the client. This paper outlines philosophical assumptions, which includes how man is inherently evil, but there is still hope for growth. The next section will then discuss the model of personality, which talks about how man develops. This section combines counseling theories such as Gestalt and behavior therapy. The next two sections discuss psychological health and abnormality. This section looks at how a client will be able to set himself free from symptoms that are harming the client. The next section will conclude by talking about psychotherapy and how a counselor should look at the role of the counselor and client while using certain techniques. This paper will conclude with a discussion of the assignment. Overall, this theory could be used in a Christian or secular setting and is based off of personal beliefs. Counseling Theory Paper Each counseling theory includes various strengths that can be used in a counseling session. Since a counselor should make known that each...
Words: 2831 - Pages: 12
