Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Integration of Psychology and Theology
Tamala Rivers
February 16, 2012
Summary This article focuses on the use of prayer and scripture in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). First you must focus on the biblical approach which you acknowledge Gods love and deal with past hurts in a proper manner. You also must focus on Gods Holy Spirit and his scriptures. As the therapist you should not be in self, you have to focus on your client. You have to allow God spirit to be used in the therapy session. There were multiple types of integration that could be used. Implicit integration which refers to a more covert approach that does not initiate the discussion of religious or
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But as he became an adult he turned away from Christ and started living in the secular world. He and his mother were very close when he was a child but as he became a young adult he started doing illegal things. So his mother asks him to leave her home and not come back unless he change his ways. The young man has changed his life and works for a legal firm. But he never had the chance to show his mother how much he has changed. So he is coming to me for help. I asked the young man would it be okay for me to pray before we get started. And then I would ask him to first forgive himself, because that is a heavy burden to carry. Then I would ask him if he believe that God is a healer. And sense he did come to a church I would hope he would understand that we would talk about Christ. I would ask him, how would you think your mother would feel if she could see you now? And hopefully he would feel that she would be proud. I would ask him to think of the good times they had. I like to just sit and listen to his thoughts and try not to overwhelm him with so many questions. I would like to know what he was thinking so I could help him the best way I know how. I would ask God to help me to help him. Because he would know best how to handle this situation. Because with Gods guidance I know I can handle any situation. He is always there for me when I need him, so I know he wouldn’t fail me now. So hopefully he would get something out of this session and not feel
Christian counseling is all about integrating psychology, theology and spirituality into counselor and clients lives. Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling gives insight into how these three perspectives can be used to help individuals identify certain aspects of their lives that might be enhanced when the counselor includes spirituality into their counseling sessions. We also see how important it is for the counselor to be in touch with their own spirituality so that
Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by McMinn was published in 1996. This book was written to help Christian counselors gain knowledge on the latest information and new techniques of Christian counseling. McMinn captures the spiritual and mental side of psychotherapy, he teaches his readers that spiritual discipline is needed to ensure successful counseling sessions. Biblical quotations and scriptures are used throughout the book to show how McMinn integrates spiritual into counseling. Throughout the book he also incorporates many concepts and theories relating to Christian counseling.
In the work of professional psychology, we have now a forray of theories, therapeutic techniques, and modern psychotherapies which has all too frequently ignore the spiritual element in human life. In Care of Souls, Dr David Benner recaptures the place of the spiritual in psychological work. Among the many benefits of the use of modern therapies and medical science, he has also emphasised putting God's priorities above one's own in the practice of Christian soul care.
It was my responsibility to help her reach a different understanding. With compassion and love, I discussed with her the circumstance of her history. We read religious text together. I was able to attend her baptismal service later that week.
Chapter two starts off with the author talk about his education of true christian counseling before settling on one called the discipleship approach (Collins, 23). Readers explore some people-helper principals; starting with “the helper.” This principal starts out citing Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia in which Paul instructed the leaders there to “restore” the individuals who were apparently struggling with sin and other issues (23). Paul instructs that only those who are spiritual may help the struggling individuals so that the struggling individuals may get the real help they need by means of healthy, loving caring relationships. In principal two, we learn how to help people that can be difficult to penetrate
In 2011 Mark McMinn updates his book on Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, which discloses three important perspectives of Christian counseling. This recently evolving frontier for Christian counselors is what McMinn calls interdisciplinary integration. The relationship between psychology and theology is not the vital key component, but it’s how Christian faith is practiced in counseling. Bringing religion into the counseling office will bring challenges but with personal spiritual training and professional development it can be accomplished. McMinn shares a theoretical map on the prospective values and dangers of using religious interventions in counseling. In the first two chapters McMinn establishes a framework on the variety of religious interventions like prayer, the use of Scripture, forgiveness, and so on. Theses chapters would be part 1 of a 2 broad part that lays down a foundation for the rest of the book. The chapters that follow would be part 2 that explains the indispensable components in McMinn’s methodology to the integration of psychology, theology, and spiritualty in counseling. Psychology, theology, and spirituality is highlighted in the sessions of Christian counseling by guiding the person who reads an insightful understanding of integrating stages of: prayer, scripture, sin, confession,
Prayer and scripture are very important in Christian counseling. The counselor needs to know the proper time and purpose to incorporate them into sessions with clients or whether to use them or not. The goals of Christian counseling have many parts. Unlike other counselors, Christian counselors not only focus on mental health but on spiritual growth. In order for spiritual growth to happen prayer and scripture at some point need to be brought into the session with clients. McMinn (2011) expresses, “At the heart of Christian spirituality is a healing relationship with God” (p. 41). When a person is broken
This paper will examine the theories of two prominent Psychologist; Carl Roger and Aaron Beck. Cognitive Behavior Therapy was developed by Aaron Beck who believed that individuals ‘were a by product of their environment. Person Center Therapy understand that people can use their strengths and resources to solve their own problems. This paper will describe how these two models can be used to integrate therapeutic practices. This paper will also critique and give multi-cultural perspective from a Christians world view.
In the book, “Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling”, author Mark McMinn gives the reader information on how these three entities can work together in Christian counseling. McMinn offers several ways in which this can be done including the use of prayer, Scripture, confession, forgiveness, the effects of sin, and redemption in counseling sessions. Through narration of counseling vignettes displaying different results, from different approaches demonstrates for the reader integration. There are very many counselors in different walks in their faith and McMinn helps to explore this area for future and practicing clinicians.
The integration of psychology and theology is so intertwined that it has caused ill-well between the two disciplines. The over-arching concern for a counselor is to understand the why of a person disorder. In trying to understand the why, there are issues concerning the mind of the person, the thought process, their body, their soul, their temporal and the supernatural systems that can be manipulated if they are not living with a healthy lifestyle. So what a counselor is trying to discover is the physical function of individuals as well as trying to uncover the spiritual components of their lives, which can be worked through within the intake process, however it does not need to be left out during the counseling process. This is best said in the words of McMinn (1996) who declares “the best interdisciplinary integration work usually comes from those who have formal or informal preparation in both psychology and theology” (p. 9). Scripture states in, II Chronicles 1:10, says “give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours” (New International Version)? This research article will endeavor to search through varies theories to aid counselors in the integration process of psychology and theology. Because the ultimate goal for any counselor especially the Christian counselor is to be used as an instrument for God to bring about healthy living, corrective thoughts, and eradicate persistent sins.
Within the psychology field and in society, there is a common belief that theological principles, scripture, Christianity, and psychological principles are not compatible. Instead they believe that modern psychology is secular, scientific, and sacrilegious. However, many Christian psychologists and counselors, organizations and associations such as the Society for Christian Psychology, are striving to unite, integrate and incorporate Christian values, principles and knowledge into modern psychological counseling, research, and practice. Two of the main perspectives that tries to merge the two principles and theories is the Integration perspective and the Christian Psychology perspective.
This article talks about Cognitive-Behavior therapy and using prayer and scripture appropriately, how to approach using biblical/ Christian values in therapy. The journal also talks about an historical overview of behavioral therapy, throughout the years. The commentary discusses the two component of mindfulness, in which the first component engages self-guidance concentration and the second component engages implementing a meticulous direction that is distinguish by interest. He discusses the eight main features of the Christian approach to
Enwistle’s book, Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration (2010) is a text that explores integrating psychology and Christianity. We start out by learning about integration related to both psychology and Christianity. Is this a thing? Is integration between these two subjects a subject itself? Enwistle explores through time to reveal how psychology and Christianity have been both closely studied and intertwined throughout time. Enwistle (2010) defines Christian psychology as “ a commitment to a Christian worldview that shapes how psychology is studied and applies, and that recognizes that there are specific Christian resources that uniquely reveal crucial aspects of what it means to be human (p. 14). Those in the psychology or counseling field who are also Christian have unique and different approaches but they draw from both Christianity and psychology to help them succeed.
The benefits of religious counselling is it’s proven efficacy Nathaniel (2005) that illustrates clients as experiencing a greater feeling of closeness within the
The study of psychology and Christianity has been known to be at odds over the past several decades. Many believe that Christianity and Psychology cannot mix or intertwine. They believe a person can only believe in one but not both. In this essay I will discuss what the integration view entails in reference to psychology and Christianity. I will then discuss the major objectives that can arise from this view and follow by the counter objectives and core strengths of this view. I then will give an example of how this view can be used practically in a counseling situation.