Integration of counseling theory from a Christian perspective

Integration of Counseling Theory From a Christian Perspective

Current Integration of Counseling Theory from a Christian Perspective

The biblical approach to counseling brings with it so much in the field of counseling. Unlike many other logical approaches to counseling, Christian view of personality and counseling takes a spiritual angle to behavior and behavior change. Effectively, the worldview of a Christian ion as far as counseling is concerned will be very different from that of a non-believer. I have developed a Christian-based personal theory of counseling from various readings covered in class. In this respect, I have come to appreciate the role of God and his power in shaping human behavior and bringing humanity into himself. By acknowledging that human beings do acknowledge the existence of the Supreme Being, God as a factor cannot be ignored if the counseling process has to be effective. Whereas human action may be motivated by physical environment as may be dictated by the situation they could be facing. Including God in the counseling process helps the client to in terms of restoration of hope. The Biblical approach to personality and its position of life in eternity would always provide solace for many clients that may be downtrodden.

Importance for Understanding Human Personality

Development and structure of personality

From the biblical and psychological approaches to personality, personality is taken as a product of man's interaction with the environment. Man's exposure to different instructions, activities, and upbringing fosters the understanding of this concept. From a collection of all these activities, a human being takes up a particular personality. However, the Bible has quite a comprehensive yet a definite approach to personality (Wilson, 2001).

The Bible presents four circles, which expose what personality it. These four cycles are found in the book of Matthew 22:37. This occurred when Matthew reinforced the first commandment of loving God with all that humanity entails. Effectively, human personality is defined from four corners, the heart, the soul, the mind and the supernatural systems and temporal systems. The temporal systems refer to the earthly systems, which affects a person's worldview while the supernatural systems involve God, angels, Satan, and demons. One's personality is defined by all these factors.

The source, role, and function of motivation

Motivation is an important aspect that defines one's personality. It is through motivation that a human being dedicates their energies towards certain activities and makes a decision on what to do. There are currently three major elements to consider as far as motivation is concerned. This will encompass the elements of meeting needs, satisfaction, and sustainability.

Psychoanalyst Erik Erikson has vividly expounded on the three elements of motivation. In his submissions, Erikson argues that whenever a crisis occurs, a human being will always act to meet the demand of the crisis (Feldman, 2008, p. 17). Crabb also covers the need for satisfaction. He argues that whenever a crisis occurs, humans will always strive to ensure they have solved the crisis or 'fixed' it. Whenever they are successful, new challenges continue coming up and so the person will always carry out actions with the motivation of getting better and better results. As humans struggle to satisfy all these needs, they will be motivated by their fear of failure. However, as failure comes in, emotional, physical, or spiritual exhaustion will follow suit and ultimately draw them to God. This is the justified through Jesus' submissions in Matthew 11:28 in which he argues; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Motivation is made to help us draw near to God and acknowledge Jesus as the only savior of the world.

Theory of Human Development and Individual Differences

Human development and individual differences can well be defined from various biblical provisions. There are different factors or areas that will bring about differences in personalities. Feldman (2008) makes a clear submission that personality is "the total of the enduring characteristics that differentiate one individual from another" (p. 728). The surrounding systems of a person will determine the core values and approaches to life they will have in the future. However, the Christian perspective of personal differences is well brought out through the presence and the release of the Holy Spirit. In the book of 1 Corinthians 2:16, Timothy makes a submission to the church in Corinth and states that human beings can have their minds renewed by God if they allow him to be in their lives. The Holy Spirit also helps in the restoration and strengthening human souls (Psalm 23). Individual differences are thereby created by the presence of the Holy Spirit and the renewal and transformation that comes with salvation.

Problems Developed

Conceptualizing health and wellness

Various components of health can be identified in a human being. This will vary from biological, psychological, relational, and spiritual pieces. From the biological perspective, the health of an individual is said to be in good shape when all organs of the body are operating as per the set standards which are taken as normal. In terms of relation, one will be considered healthy if they can easily get along with those they interact with or share ideas or issues during their lifetime. On the spiritual, attention is given to how one is truthful or sincere to God, who is taken as their creator of heaven and earth and so are human beings.

From my personal theory of counseling, health refers to maintaining forward motion toward positive personal change. This will cover all other components of health, only that it will give it a spiritual touch as defined by christen teachings and references in the Bible. For one to keep on moving forward, they must move away from their self-preoccupation and appreciate the need for relationships. From a biblical perspective, the relationship between man and God is enough to bring about good health in a human being. Effectively, the pillar of personal change is Christ-likeness as is the submission made in Hebrews 12:2.

Conceptualizing illness -- psychological & spiritual

The Christian model of counseling will have it that illness is 'the cessation of positive forward motion'. In this respect, one will only feel sick is they have stopped walking the talk of good relations with God. One will be taken to be ill or unhealthy if they have deviated from what God has instructed them to do. This will simply imply that one falls sick immediately their relationship with God is severed. This is well demonstrated in the Book of John 15:1-8. The relationship between God and humankind is defined. In this chapter, Good is defined as the husbandman who owns the vine trees. Human beings, who are equated to believers, are the branches. The farmer will always prune the leaves to ensure only productive ones are left while the rest are thrown like the 'chaff'. In this section, it is clear that severing relationship with God will ultimately expose one to all forms of illnesses because God will not have his mercies upon them (Feldman, 2008, p. 17).

Systems do play an important role in the health of a human being. As human beings, we are faced with needs, which will always make us struggle to get remedies for the challenges we may encounter. Wrong emotions and actions could result when humans misbelieve or take wrongful thinking of Good. By misbelieving in what God can do for us and what he has instructed human beings to do, a wall is created which separates man from God. Effectively, such a person is vulnerable to various problems that come from the outside or external circles. Therefore, God is the pillar and the source of all forms of health (Cloud & Townsend, 1999).

Role of integration and multitasking

Integration and multitasking are a very important aspect of counseling. For proper counseling to take place, the need for integrating all aspects surrounding a given situation cannot be ignored For instance, one cannot run away from the realities of the physical in the name of dealing with which is spiritual. The physical defines and affects the spiritual. One's level of spirituality will dictate the activities and actions they take when confronted with different situations. As a counselor, one must be well equipped with knowledge of the physical just as that of the spiritual in order to feel the transformation in their lives (Crabb, 1986).

Sourcing for Problems and Structuring Effective Intervention

Key elements of a comprehensive theory

Some of the qualities that a counselor must have in order to deliver on the demands of counseling include acceptance, empathy, and genuineness. The client will only open up when they have been accepted and undoubtedly believe that the counselor has no ulterior motives in seeking to gain information from them on their situation. Once this is done, it will be followed by interventions that are geared to each client's need. Once the interventions have been rolled out, change becomes the main target for the counselor. Change can only take place when the counselor guides the client to appreciate the existence of life in eternity. The client is then assured that all the shame and pain are already washed away, thanks to the blood of Jesus that was shed on Calvary. This will give the client a reason to smile and positively take up other roles and responsibilities in the society (Adams, 1986).

Process and techniques that guide the therapeutic process

One of the most important techniques that must be used in this model is a prayer. Whereas human beings aid in recovery, full recovery can only take place of God permits. "Indeed, Integrative Theory praying with clients that they may be liberated from resistant disbeliefs, that they may be empowered to do the truth and that they may come into a deeper relationship with the truth can sometimes be a most powerful experience"(p. 68). This principle will be helpful in many situations. Some clients may only have psychological issues and giving the assurance that the Supreme Being is involved can help in hastening the recovery program. The use of scripture in therapy sessions is yet another important technique that may be used in counseling by Christian counselors. This technique is very useful in that it helps in cementing God's Truths in the client's mind (Hart, 2001).

The use of the miracle question can help a client to have the foresight of a future with hope (Anderson, 2006). In many cases, a client will be faced with a discouraging situation; their spirits will be low because many will be disillusioned. Use of such questions during the counseling sessions helps in instilling hope and giving clients the reason to give life a second chance. This is the greatest step many in as far as counseling is concerned (Bergin, Payne, and Richard, 1996, pp. 299).

Demonstration of effectiveness

The effectiveness of this model lies with the inclusiveness of the model. A rational human being will always apply various considerations in making a decision. However silly the decision may be, a human being will always peg their actions on logic and spirituality. Whereas one is not compelled to take certain actions by the situations at hand, they may be compelled to do so as to marinating their health and relationship with God. The application of this theory could be gauged through determining whether the clients have an accurate awareness of self and need. Further, this can be an achieved through determining whether such clients are participating in healing relationships (McMinn, 1996).

How my Worldview influences my Theory

Approach to integration

The need for integration of Christianity and the psychological approaches to counseling cannot be ignored. This issue has undergone numerous studies with scholars coming up with different findings about Christianity and psychology. For quite some time, Christian Psychologists have tried to create a paradigm shift from what Psychology stands for in terms of its provision for value vis-a-vis science. In their submissions, most Christian psychologists tend to redefine psychology as a discipline that includes both values and scientific research. In case this were to be accepted, a great shift will occur from the contemporary psychology the discipline is purely scientific and with no value systems attached to its operations (Wilson, 2001). Contemporary psychology has always been bent towards analysis of information and consideration of utilitarian approaches.

The point of integration between psychology and Christianity lies with objectivism. Whereas contemporary psychologists have tried to de-link psychology from value chain systems, which is characteristic of any religion, the value of objectivism is well utilized in the psychological discipline. In order to draw conclusions on various situations facing an individual, one has to be objective to avoid any form of bias and probably inaccuracy of the information generated. Objectivity helps the counselor to unearth all facts about the situation without any form of prejudice or bias. Effectively, lack of objectivity in the counseling process would reduce the efficiency levels as the remedies and alternatives provided by the client may not be the best. In fact, human activities cannot be free from values. Based on the post-positivistic philosophy, many scholars are studying integrative points between traditional psychology and religious values (Bergin, Payne, and Richard, 1996, pp. 297-325).

Biblical content provides an important source for the establishment of Christian psychology. It must be noted that much of the content brought out in the Bible and the teachings of Jesus have incorporated a lot of psychology and psychological principles. Since God sent his son to save the lives of human beings, Jesus had to deal directly with the nature of the human mind order to fulfill this purpose. For instance, the Sermon on the Mountain does not offer its own explanation of human nature. However, a closer look at the choice of words and phrases in this sermon clearly indicates the application of the principles of psychology. This sermon covered various elements of psychology including motivation, behavior, thoughts, and feelings (Entwistle, 2004). This is evident from the use well-formulated statements like poor in spirit, sorrow, humble or gentle, pure in heart and many others.

Conclusion

It is important to include psychology, theology, and spirituality in the facilitation of the counseling process. Through an integrative model to counseling, levels of efficiency will be relatively high. Integrating the three aspects or approaches to counseling would help the counselor in navigating difficult the challenges, which may be presented by the client. Using contemporary psychological techniques with theological truths while being cognizant of a person's core spirit, a therapist can combine all disciplines to help clients.

The psychological techniques will help define the mind of a client and help understand the source of their problems. This is achieved through logic or reasoning and analysis of human behavior. On the other hand, application of spiritual aspects in counseling helps in hastening the counseling process as the client will be much more comfortable in being accustomed to the therapy. The spiritual aspects are an assurance to the client that their shared values are well respected. Through incorporation of the approaches to counseling, the counselor would easily deal with all factors affecting the motivation of a client and in the long run make it easy for the recovery process (Bergin, Payne, and Richard, 1996, pp. 305).