McMinn Book Rev.docx

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review Jerome Bonner Liberty University HSCO 506 Dr. Rachael Stark McMinn Book Review 1

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review Summary Writer Mark McMinn's (2011) book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, he teaches and describes how it is beneficial to use various therapeutic methods to improve a therapeutic setting. Such as psychology, spirituality, and theology. Within chapter one, McMinn (2011) describes relationships through the methods of psychology and theology. He promotes the incorporation of intradisciplinary integration within therapeutic Christian counseling. While the incorporation of religion in counseling may seem easy to do, many difficulties are brought up. Although there are many challenges through integration, McMinn provides six concepts that may assist the human services worker. Challenges such as training difficulties, unique ethnical discernments in religious counseling, and spiritual formation (McMinn, 2011). Chapter two of McMinn's (2011) book provides the human services worker with skills of spiritual and psychological health. Both in which guides a counselor through the complicated intradisciplinary integration process. It also gives the counselor assistance with healing patterns, which is very beneficial to the therapeutic setting. As a human services counselor, it is essential to keep in mind the client's spiritual and psychological needs. in doing so, you can provide the client with interpersonal relationship skills, a sense of self, and mental relief (McMinn, 2011). Although Christian counseling can be beneficial, it does not hide the difficulties in counseling, such as brokenness and interpersonal relationships between clients and counselors. Working in Christian counseling, we must resemble God's image in all that we do (McMinn, 2011). 2

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review Chapter three discusses the benefits of incorporating prayer within the therapeutic setting. McMinn (2011) addresses the lack of praying within therapeutic studies and provided various courses that display worship benefits within counseling. He says the risks as ethical considerations, ritualism (McMinn, 2011). Introducing and using prayer within therapy is very beneficial to the client's sense of growth within both physical and spiritual life. If a counselor incorporates the prayer technique within their counseling setting, they must also use it in their personal life (McMinn, 2011). Chapter four is geared towards the incorporation of scripture references in counseling. As a Christian counselor, using scripture within therapy is a very beneficial to the client's spiritual health and well-being—benefits and truth, mediation, self-finding, and reassurance. Scripture can be used as a powerful method in counseling. It can change the client's views on difficult situations. Scripture must be internalized and personalized in and out of the therapy setting for it to be effective. Chapter five of the reading discusses how many of our life issues and problems are due to the sins we commit. Human services counselors typically do not use this method because of feeling guilt, depression, and the negative effect it has on one's mental health. This method is very confronting, but doing it in an empathic approach can help the clients spiritual growth (McMinn, 2011). Chapter six promotes the method of confession in the therapeutic setting. It encourages the counselor to provide a safe space for the client, giving them the comfort to be transparent and honest. Confessions are historically told in church, to a pastor or priest. People are now drawn to 3

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review tell confessions within a therapeutic setting. Clients find peace and safety in therapy. A human services worker must be nonjudgmental, sensitive, and empathetic to the client's admissions. Chapter seven introduces forgiveness as a gift from God. Forgiveness is the process of forgiving someone or something for their wrongdoings. In the act of forgiveness, one must be empathetic and provide insight to make the client feel better. Chapter 8 includes redemption, which ties into the previous chapters of sin, scripture, sin, confession, and forgiveness. The term redemption is defined as being forgiven and freed from sin McMinn (2011). Personal Reflection McMinn's (2011) book teaches many lessons that will benefit me in practice in reflection on the reading. It taught me many integrated disciplines, such as scripture, prayer, and confession. All concepts can help me in the therapeutic setting, as well as my personal life. McMinn's (2011) book offers a technique for incorporating theology and psychology in the counseling setting. This book can help counselors with ingratiation and how it can significantly affect one's walk with Christ. He also promotes having an excellent counselor to client relationship. Having a good relationship with the client allows the client to be vulnerable and transparent in therapy. It lets the client know that the counselor cares about their feelings. Incorporating scripture and prayer in treatment will improve the client's outlook and spiritual growth. McMinn (2011) informs us of the negative effect prayer can have on therapy. As discussed in the book, prayer and scripture should be used in treatment if it is appropriate. Counselors must be knowledgeable of the effect's prayer may have on a client. This book contributes to the counselor's knowledge of psychology, theology, and spirituality within a therapeutic practice. 4

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review Analysis McMinn's (2011) book displays and defines prayer, sin, stress, confession, redemption, and forgiveness within the therapeutic setting. He uses them as therapeutic skills that can help the client through their troubles and emotions. McMinn (2011) identifies the adverse effects that sin can have on an individual. Products such as depression, anxiety, guilt, and much more. Handling in corruption in a counseling setting, the counselor must use a psychological, theological, and spiritual approach. By using the given methods, and a counselor will grow spiritually. McMinn's (2011) book provides the benefits of prayer and worship. Prayer and worship will ease our broken hearts and help us through many troubles. This book will assist the counselor on how to incorporate and utilize prayer within therapy. Studies show clients seek help from Christian counselors in praying for them. Before a counselor can introduce prayer to treatment, the counselor must develop a good relationship with the client. The counselor must also be aware of any spiritual or religious reservations the client may have. Another concept McMinn (2011) discusses it is forgiveness. It describes the clients views on forgiveness and how it effects them in the therapeutic setting. God gave us forgiveness through his son, Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is an act of healing in which is beneficial to both the giver and receiver. Forgiveness takes a lot of emotional work. McMinn (2011) talks about how forgiveness and excusing is often misused. Excusing is a straightforward thing to do. It is routine and requires no time at all. However, forgiveness takes along period and requires an emotional release. From a psychological and therapeutic point of view, forgiveness assistance isn't typically a topic in 5

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review therapy. Forgiveness helps the client heal form the hurt they are going through. It gives them a sense of relief and hope (McMinn, 2011). Application In application to the concepts, I was learned in this book, hypothetically at the Behavioral Health Center in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Behavioral Health Center provides compassion and cares for individuals suffering from depression. As a human services worker, I must apply my skills to the best of my ability. Before therapy, I must develop a client to counselor relationship. I must also provide a safe and comfortable space for the client that will allow them to be vulnerable and transparent in therapy. In developing a relationship with the client, I must show compassion, empathy, and warmth. 6

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

RUNNING HEAD: McMinn Book Review References McMinn, M.R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 7