Christian counseling approaches to personal change and misbelief therapy

Truth

Concise Summary of Theory

Christian counseling is usually rooted in both Biblical truths and in psychological research. In Telling Yourself the Truth and How to Help People Change, the authors discuss how to counsel from within a Christian theoretical perspective. Although these two books have different areas of focus, their core messages are the same: change is to be instigated by God and sustained in the light of Christ.

The authors view traditional psychological theories such as psychoanalysis as being helpful as starting points, but no longer relevant from either a scientific or a spiritual perspective. Therefore, Backus & Chapain (2000) and Adams (1986) infuse psychology with Christian concepts. Christian concepts, drawn directly from the Bible and its parables, can help the individual see his or her life in a new and more accurate light.

Specifically, How to Help People Change defines change within a Christian context, whereas Telling Yourself the Truth addresses "misbelief" therapy for a Christian foundation for personal happiness. Both these books address the need for change as the basis for counseling. After all, clients seek counselors when something in life is uncomfortable or painful. Christian counseling brings the person to a place of wholeness and serenity while fostering faith in Christ.

In Telling Yourself the Truth, Backus & Chapain (2000) claim that misbeliefs create unhappiness. Rather than focus on the misbeliefs, a proactive approach to change emphasizes true beliefs and faith. Belief in Christ, fostered by Biblical study, can lead a person back to happiness. In How to Help People Change, the author stresses the importance of bringing the client back to the Bible. The author, Adams, affirms the supremacy of the Bible over all psychological theories.

Personal Reflection and Application

Change is rarely easy and often involves growing pains. These two books about Christian counseling theories help people to see how change can be managed in ways that deepen faith. I appreciate the way both books address the shortcomings of established psychology, which lacks spirituality entirely. In fact, I have found that scientific psychology sometimes shuns Christianity completely. It is impossible to develop a holistic method of healing without God, because God is a critical component of the human experience.

Applying the teachings in these two books is relatively straightforward. First, we must study scripture daily to internalize the Bible's teachings. Parables can always be applied to daily life. There are an infinite number of meditations and prayers that can be developed for clients in need of personal change. The change depends on humble assessment of current Biblical knowledge, and a willingness to go deeper into scripture to find answers.

The answers to life's deepest questions, and solutions to challenges, are located in God. I seek to learn about the many different approaches to Christian counseling, such as those presented by Adams (1986) and by Backus & Chapain (2000). Both these authors talk about change, which is the essence of healing. A person who changes is growing, and willing to keep growing into Christ. A person who resists change cannot welcome the many gifts that Christ offers. Human beings are imperfect, but can find perfection in Christ.

When individuals go through a time of crisis, that crisis is sometimes framed in terms of blaming people, places, and things. Both Telling Yourself the Truth and How to Help People Change dispel the myth that problems are out there and that we do not need to take responsibility. I appreciate the fact that both these books counsel against blame, and advise all Christians to turn inward to find the spiritual solutions to even the mundane problems plaguing our lives.