In what ways can the Christian therapist better address the anguish of the cultural minority in Western society in a way that reflects the calling of Jesus Christ? In their book, A Peaceable Psychology, Alvin Dueck and Kevin Reimer discuss means in which to approach the art of counseling psychology that amply appeals to an ever-increasing diverse client population. The writers suggest a prominent shift ensues when counselors no longer reside strictly within the objectivist, non-religious mentality of therapeutic sessions. Instead, Dueck and Reimer propose the counselor integrate the clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs with the therapy session in order to assist in distinguishing and accessing the healing resources available to the client.
Within the realm of psychology, many researchers and practitioners have considered areas of faith and religion to be irrelevant. The book describes how these psychologists were educated from early in their studies to regard religion and morality as nonfactors. The authors claim “an enculturated American psychology will displace local traditions in favor of presumed psychological universals” (Dueck and Reimer, 2009, p. 48). These “psychological universals” restrict a person’s life and identity by hindering the religious and spiritual affiliations unique to that individual. The therapist is withholding potential sources of healing in the client’s journey through counseling by depriving him or her of this integral aspect of life. Instead, religion and spirituality should be treated like any other cultural aspect of a client’s life, a fundamental feature of his or her identity.
I agree with the authors in this approach to therapy. Religion encompasses so much of a person’s psyche. By ignoring this fact, one is ignoring an extremely important factor in a person’s life. However, I think it is important not to over-emphasize