Psychology, Theology and Spirituality: Interdisciplinary Approach to Christian Counseling
Morenike Oye
Liberty University

Psychology, Theology and Spirituality: Interdisciplinary Approach to Christian Counseling
Summary
McMinn (2011) uses this book to bring out the importance of the use of spirituality (as related to Christian faith) in psychological counseling. He describes the Christian Counselors as people who are highly trained in counseling theory and techniques, in theology, and are personally disciplined to mirror Christian attributes during and after counseling. (pg. 139)

According to McMinn (2011), Christian Counselors face the challenges of knowing the techniques of spiritual formation, inability to learn spiritual passion, and devotion so as not be handicapped in bringing religious issues to counseling and therapeutic session (p.39). This is because training and competency in the field of psychology and theology can be evidenced, but understanding spirituality cannot be evidenced. This will continue to be a challenge because we can never be spiritually competent. Another challenge is the link between the counselors personal and professional life and worldview as it affects the clients’ level of spirituality, believes and worldview. He states that Christian counselors are faced with the problem of expanded training. They must go beyond the level of professional training to personal training because other factors such as empathy, care, trustworthiness, wisdom and insight come from within (McMinn, 2011, p.15). In moving counseling towards psychological and spiritual health, McMinn explores the three major areas of life strengthened by counseling: sense of self, awareness of human needs, and limitation confiding interpersonal relationships with God and others (McMinn, 2011). He systematically explores the journey of the client through spiritual and psychological path in the following order: sin, confession, forgiveness and redemption. In regards to sin, Christian Counselors face the challenge of where to stand on the ideological continuum regarding the relationship of sin and psychopathology, and how blunt and open can sin be confronted? This is a major factor in the success of the therapy. The relational relationship of confession and therapy provides great relief for the clients as they pour out deep secrets they have never verbalized in counseling rooms. This is probably one of the salient factors that give counseling a confessional nature.
Confession, forgiveness, and redemption are close allies. There is no redemption except need is recognized and admitted. Confession helps us name our sin, weakness and vulnerabilities as we plead to God for continuous transformation through which we are brought back to God through faith in Christ (McMinn, 2011). In conclusion, McMinn points out the multitasking role of the effective counselor as they navigate through theological perspective while they simultaneously engage in the various psychological tasks of counseling and portraying the true image of God through the discipline of discipleship.
Concrete Response Grieving and suffering as a result of the loss of loved ones is one of the most common reasons why people seek counseling. I relate to this book because I have suffered from grieving many times and I am a living testimony of what prayer and scripture based counseling can do. Between 1989 and 1991, I lost my mother to cancer, my ten months old son to malaria, and my brother to car wreck. At that same time passing through pressure and stress in my marriage. I thought God did not care about me. I did not know where to turn. Within all these, I met with Christ, surrendered my life and my burdens to him, and became a new creature (II Corinthians 5:17). I love the Lord with a passion, served Him without a flinch, prayed fervently without ceasing, believing Him like a child. When my younger brother died in March, I lost everything I was in Christ, especially my prayer life. I just could not pray until God reached out to me through a Pastor who counseled me on prayers and trust in God. It was not a formal counseling session. He prayed with me and made me meditate on Philippians 4:4-6 (NIV) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” He showed me reasons why I need to pray in my situation. The Holy Spirit made me know I felt disappointed in God (sin). I thought I could pray and He has to answer all prayers (pride). I meditated on Romans 12:3 (NIV) “…do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” I confessed my sin of overrating my self-opinion, received new grace through humility referred to in II Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways…,” for the healing of my soul. According to McMinn (2011), spirituality redirects us from illusion of competence, pride, and exaggerated self-opinion to help us admit our helplessness and dependence on the unmerited grace of God. It happened to me.

Reflection One of the strengths of this book is McMinn’s concentration on the practical aspect of the interdisciplinary integration: the amalgamation of theology, psychology and spirituality into a framework for effective Christian Counseling. With precision, he brings out the need for trust and understanding between the Christian Counselor and his clients; The challenge of defining between the counselor’s piety and personal practices as they affect the process and effectiveness of counseling; Lastly, the use of Scripture, prayers, doctrines, and sacraments in and out of the counseling room. I agree with McMinn that Scripture is a tool that can be misused in counseling depending on the theory and technique chosen by the counselor. Techniques used must be Scripture based and consistent with the Christian faith (McMinn 2011). The author outlines many challenges that Christian Counselors face but did not give a concise illustration of how to overcome them. He constantly refers to writers who are more contemplative in their spiritual ideologies. I believe that Christian Counselors should avoid contemplative spiritual ideologies since they do not have adequate root and support in the Scripture. With this in mind, I will conclude that for those who have chosen to be professional Christian Counselors, the difference between them and other counselors must be distinctive.
Action
I consider this book a practical insight for new Christian Counselors who recognize the importance of interdisciplinary integration of psychology, theology and spirituality in the noble profession of counseling, and are ready and willing to practicably use prayers and Scriptures as intervention in psychotherapy. McMinn (2011) emphasizes that the task requires the working knowledge of the Bible, understanding the psychological world and recognizing the client’s deep longing for God, the need to demonstrate love, empathy and exemplary love in and out of the counseling room (p.?). As a new Christian Counselor, I will align myself to these commitments and will personally give myself to a disciplined life of prayer, faith in God, constantly studying the Scripture, confession of sin, receiving forgiveness and appreciating the redemptive power of God through Christ Jesus, using II Timothy 3:16 (NIV) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” as my watchword. According to McMinn (2011), prayers and Scripture should be used with caution considering the client’s level of spirituality (p.?). I will apply myself to these cautions based on Eccl 7:25a, trusting God completely for help to counsel rightly, and for my client’s healing. “I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord….” Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV). I will continue to work on building a deeper relationship with God and understanding my clients’ thirst for God, sacrificing the time to expand my knowledge in the field of theology and psychology, therapeutic techniques and behavioral problems. My ultimate goal as a counselor is to be like Christ, strong in the power of His might, putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 3:10), and lifting, through the power of God, those who are in the miry clay of life so that they will serve the Lord. “He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along” Psalm 40:2 (NIV).

Reference
McMinn, Mark R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. CarolStream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.