...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
...LIBERTY UNIVERSITY COMPARISON PAPER #2 EFFECTIVE BIBLICAL COUNSELING DAVID POWLISON, M.DIV., PH.D. A PAPER SUBMITTED TO REV. DR. MARIO GARCIA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COURSE PACO 507 LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY BY JOHN M. SIMMS PHOENIX, ARIZONA JULY 04, 2013 Table of Contents Introduction.........................................................................................................................2 Summary of Material………………………………...........................................................3 Practical Application…………………………....................................................................7 Works Cited……………………………………………………………………….............8 Introduction – Goal of Biblical Counseling David Powlison has developed a biblical theology of biblical counseling with the foundation of this counseling style being the Bible as God’s authoritative word. Powlison believes that the Bible is sufficient to provide the basic framework for the counselor in addressing every problem in any area of life. Powlison is quoted as saying, “it becomes clearer and clearer that Scripture is about counseling: diagnostic categories, causal explanations of behavior and emotion, interpretation of external sufferings and influences, definitions of workable solutions, character of the counselor, goals for the counseling process…These are all matters to which God speaks directly, specifically, and frequently. He calls us to listen...
Words: 1941 - Pages: 8
...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
...Liberty University January 31, 2012 Summary Prayer is one of the most powerful and frequently used spiritual interventions performed by Christian counseling groups all over the world. However, combining religion and science has always been a controversial issue for centuries. According to Weld and Eriksen, most clients want to include their spirituality and their religion as part of their counseling sessions. The integration of this spiritual therapy is done by conducting surveys and observations. The core of this survey is to gather insight on their beliefs and finding out what method of conducting prayer is appropriate and spiritually motivated. These studies were done at 1 church counseling center and 6 private practices. The ages ranged from 18 to 77 with 64% being females and 36% being males.(Weld & Eriksen, 2007). These two instrumentations are called “the brief therapy” survey is used for clients and “the prayer survey”, which is used for the therapists’ purpose. The brief therapy survey is aimed at the therapist to monitor client’s needs and wants with regards to his counseling sessions. These surveys allow therapists to respect their client’s wishes so as to integrate a working profile for each individual; which in turn allows therapists to build a healthy relationship with clients along with a their spiritual needs fulfilled. The prayer surveys are scales of numbers. It is aimed at the client and it uses survey completed by clients to grade their therapist...
Words: 1263 - Pages: 6
...intriguing a very intellectual writer and has a way of convincing the reader with his philosophies. I will discuss the four perspectives: Goal of Christian Counseling, Basic Concepts, Basic Strategy, and Developing a Counseling Program in the local Church as recorded in Effective Biblical Counseling. Then will Compare and Contrast the assigned articles listed in the course. Goal of Christian Counseling Dr. Crabb, stated, “many of us place top priority not on becoming Christ like in the middle of our problems but on finding happiness. People want to be happy but the paradoxical truth is that you will never be happy if you are concerned primarily with becoming happy. Your goal must be in every circumstance to respond biblically, to put the Lord first, to seek to behave, as He would want you to. The wonderful truth is that as we devote all our energies to the task of becoming what Christ wants us to be, He fills us with joy unspeakable and peace far surpassing what the world offers. We must reject the goal of becoming happy and adopt the goal of becoming more like the Lord” (Crabb, 1977, p20). Most people look for happiness in tangible things that you can feel touch or see and still find that they are coming up short and unhappy after the high has settled. As Christians our primary goal should be to trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not into our own understanding acknowledge him and he will direct...
Words: 2540 - Pages: 11
...Counseling 506: 4 Mat Review McMinn Liberty University Martha J Meek Summary Dr. Mark McMinn (1996) discusses in his book Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, the importance of combing the three and creating a way that will help the counselor reach the client. His book is broken apart in several different chapters that explain and reflect on religion in the counseling office, psychological, spiritual health, prayer, Scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. McMinn gives scenarios throughout his book on various different situations and what the counselor should do in these situations. Religion in the counseling office is important, but McMinn stresses the importance of consent before using prayer. He states that often the client becomes too dependent on the counselor. The counselor can silently pray for the client outside the office. McMinn states “the question is not how we understand the relationship between psychology and theology but how we practically use the Christian faith in our counseling” (McMinn p. 26). Psychological and spiritual health is very important. McMinn designed a detailed map of spiritual and psychological health. The map gives examples of faulty sense of self by being self-absorbed, and having a lack of self-restraint. There is an example of faulty relationships, where a person can become dependent. There is an example of a faulty awareness of the need to play the victim role. McMinn describes Imago...
Words: 1532 - Pages: 7
...Christian Clients’ Preferences Regarding Prayer As A Counseling Intervention Angela Whitworth Liberty University Summary Spirituality is becoming an important consideration in counseling for the client and for the mental health practitioners. Spiritual interventions, such as prayer, are being used more in the counseling sessions. With 80% of the United States population believing in God and the power of prayer, it is not surprising that many clients want religion and/or spirituality included in their counseling sessions. Some practitioners believe that it is appropriate to pray with their clients, but most providers believe that it is inappropriate. Currently, research is lacking in client expectations with regards to prayer being included in counseling. This study particularly surveyed Christian clients and their therapists. The therapists were chosen because they advertised themselves as Christian counselors. Two instruments were created, Prayer Survey and the Brief Therapist Prayer Survey. The Prayer Survey was for the client to complete to assist in determining their preference in regards to prayer to in counseling. The Brief Therapist Survey was used to find out about beliefs and prayer practices of the therapists. The therapist survey was also used to help determine if therapist factors are related to their client expectations. The study found that eighty-two percent of clients wished to have audible prayer in their counseling sessions. Those that were less likely...
Words: 1286 - Pages: 6
...Nadine Mooney December 12, 2014 Christian Counseling The goal of Christian Counseling, according to Dr. Crabb, is to become more like the Lord. Counseling can go down many roads, leaving patients with the “I want to feel good” feeling, or I want to be happy (Crabb, 1977, p. 22). However, in order to fully be happy or to feel good, you must put the Lord first, especially in counseling. The more I abide in Christ, the more I will enjoy the pleasures available in fellowship with God (happiness) (Crabb, 1977, p. 22). Crabb has found that through years of counseling, putting God first, and attempting to be more Christ like, are the only true ways to actually feel good and to feel happy (Crabb, 1977, p. 22). The Lord fills us with unspeakable joy and peace, so much more than anything the world offers (Crabb, 1977, p. 22). Finding happiness for the patients should never be the goal, being more like Christ, should be the goal (Crabb, 1977, p. 22). Counseling, is not only about putting God first, it also about being a trustworthy counselor. As a Christian counselor, what you believe, how you feel and act, what you do and don’t do, matter, a lot. You need to make sure you are building a counseling ministry that is full of caring (Clinton, Archibald, & Ohlschlager, 2005, p. 29). The counselor-client relationship is one of the most important pieces to the Christian Counseling puzzle, and without a client trusting you that puzzle winds up missing a huge amount of pieces...
Words: 1191 - Pages: 5
...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 which represents a person’s inner self with the Holy Spirit being in the middle. Dr. Hawkins concept of this model is, if a person has the Holy Spirit in the middle of his inner self, the Holy Spirit works from the inside. Dr. Hawkins other circles represents the soul, the physical body, the temporal...
Words: 748 - Pages: 3
... Discipleship Counseling, is packed with information and insight that was inspired by the Holy Spirit on how to help people break free from personal or spiritual bondage and to also find the peace that only Christ can offer. Information is presented in a way that will enable a counselor to be more comfortable, confident and competent in a role as encourager. Knowledge is also shared so the counselor can be the kind of helper that is needed to help people be set free. A tool presented to the counselor is “The Steps to Freedom in Christ” which shows specific methods to discipleship counseling. Chapter themes, such as, “Defining mental health” and “Counseling the Spiritually Oppressed” go into specifics in certain areas that may need to be addressed in the counseling sessions. The information is presented in such a way that the counselor is able to take the information and put it into practice with those who come to them for help. Summary Discipleship Counseling by Dr. Neil Anderson (2003) provides the reader with great insight and prepares the counselor to be able to counsel and help those who are in bondage to past hurts and sin. The information in this book also provides counselors with the information to help free people from their emotional pain and spiritual conflicts and guide them to a more complete understanding of who they are in Christ. Starting with presenting an understanding of the theological issues in counseling and what discipleship counseling is all about,...
Words: 1472 - Pages: 6
...Biblical Counseling vs. Secular Counseling CCOU 201-D11 LOU: Introduction to Christian Counseling Xxxxx X. XXXXXXX L33333333 Liberty University 24 April 2013 There is a need for effective biblical counseling now more than ever. As the world progresses to the stages prophesized anarchy God’s people as well as lost souls need the appropriate direction in life. Crabb clearly states in his introduction that the purpose his book, Effective Biblical Counseling, is to incorporate the principles and aspects of Christian counseling into the local churches (Crabb, 1977, p. 13). The tenets outlined in the text apply sound Biblical doctrine in conjunction with advanced psychological techniques. The intent of this paper is to enable the reader to understand that “true healing” can only be experienced through a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, but also to parallel Biblical teaching with scientifically proven methods to counsel troubled individuals effectively. Individuals seek counseling for many reasons; they may be depressed, generally not happy with their status in life, or simply need to talk to with someone. One widely practiced form of psychotherapy that focuses in the humanistic approach of treatment is Roger’s Client-Centered Therapy (RCCT) is common among clients with the above listed issues. According to psychotherapists practicing RCCT, the desired end state or goal of every client is different so in addition to displaying a concern for that person, counselors...
Words: 1806 - Pages: 8
...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
...Christian counselors have an active and specific involvement in their client’s sanctification. It is not about bring back their innocence; it is about redeeming them. Clients may seek counsel trying to get their life back to the way it once was when they need to be seeking redemption. We are not innocent but we are redeemed. Therapy reaches into deep places where someone is not growing. As a Christian counselor you have to work with your client’s growth process. Two ways to do this are to apply grace and truth to the sessions and to be able to look at the clients problems in a non-judgmental way. A Christian counselor has to be able to apply both grace and truth in their sessions. “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). Christian counseling can be very painful for the client because they have to admit things they do not want to, confronts things they do not want to and take responsibility for things someone could only dream of. But, by being truthful with grace the pain can help the client to overcome their faults and problems and begin to heal and grow closer to Christ. “These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace” (Zech. 8:16). A good counselor who someone tells their problems to needs to be able to support their client and bear the truth. Confrontation is good if given in moderation...
Words: 717 - Pages: 3
...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
...Theory Critique Two Najah Dail-Harris Liberty University Theory Critique Two Jay E. Adams the author of How to Help People change (1986) created a four step biblical approach to guiding the Christian Counseling process. Adams (1986) centers his biblical approach around the concept of change and derives his theory from Timothy 3:14-17. He believes “all Christian counselors must follow these words if they would help people change in ways that please God” (p.10). Adams (1986) also derives his Christian based theory from the Word and scripture itself. To become an effective Christian counselor, Adams (1986) believes counseling must come from the wisdom of God and the Holy Spirit. If a counselor is to impose change on a counselee one must be aware of the “change that is satisfactory to God, not merely socially good” (Adams, 1986, p.7). Adams (1986) four step biblical process includes: teaching, conviction, correction and disciplined training in righteousness. To prove effective, the process also must be done in that exact order just as the disciple Paul set out. The first step teaching involves the act of teaching counselees biblical principles for living, god’s standards for avoiding sin and teaching within the milieu. The next step conviction, involves “bringing conviction to counselees itself as a part of the ministry of word” (Adams, 1986, p108). Adam believes it important to have the counselee understand the root of their problem; which is sin and change their relationship...
Words: 1607 - Pages: 7
