Respond
to Two Discussions referring to the following References:
Discussion
One
In
the given scenario the guideline I would use would come from the key questions
of using the Bible, especially in the case that the Bible would almost
certainly be a touchy subject for the client. Questions like how to build a
healthy sense of self worth from lens of scripture, and how scripture can be a
catalyst for healing foundation (Brewer & Peters, n.d.). Equally so,
understanding the role and the place of prayer would be key going into
counseling session like this and the lecture provided a great guideline aspect
with the slides talking about defining prayer and how it would be best
used.
Even
with guidelines above, as a counselor, the proactive nature of this would
paramount. I know for myself I would need wisdom far beyond my scope and so the
continual asking God for wisdom and allowing the Holy Spirit to move would be
essential (Brewer & Peters, n.d.). As well as ensuring that I was rooted in
scripture in preparation of each session.
This
though would be just as important as what not to do in the sessions and I think
from the case study there are some clear things to avoid. At the start, I would
not even use scripture since it is an open wound having been used to cause
harm, and doing so could be example of “over-reliance” and damage the
therapeutic relationship (Brewer & Peters, n.d.). Additionally, I would
avoid using the bible in a formative way as to induce control issues that the
client may have toward the wrongdoing and prevent healing process form
starting.
Throughout
the sessions there are numerous other important things I would consider. One
being the sense of need in the clients broken in exchange for seeing that God
is the agent for transformation (Brewer & Peters, n.d.). This could be a
means to jump start the inside out method the lecture talked about and take the
focus off of the hurt and off of the client and realize mans depravity. Using
prayer in it many uses, I might encourage the client to write a letter to God
about feelings as a form of prayer and then when the heart is softened, use
Psalms to show the same emotions from the clients letters and in so doing show
the scripture of God as sufficient.
Lastly,
the purpose of using the Bible would be to with formative reading insight
courage, trust, and patience in the client to see its use in life and positive
means to remind us of our own need for grace, and our ability to see God’s
goodness in the fallen world as well a challenge to myself as a counselor for
continued humility, patience with client, and persistence to see healing (Brewer
& Peters, n.d.).
I
would not use prayer and scripture as the only means to help the healing
process in a secular setting and I would not seek to over talk as to preach to
the client to convince them of the value of both prayer and scripture (Brewer
& Peters, n.d.).
Under His Wing
Jeremy
Discussion Two
Danielle, a client at our agency, has been sent to us due to her
aggressive and disruptive behavior at school, which includes both physical and
verbal incidents. At the young age of five, Danielle was taken from her home
and placed into foster care because of her mother’s substance abuse issues and
the absence of a father figure. In her foster home, Danielle and her
siblings were subjected to
corporal punishment for minor infractions. To justify the abuse, Danielle was forced to read Bible scriptures.
Even with the father in the home, he did not protect the kids due to limited
emotional involvement. Danielle distrusts religion, so it is essential to gain
her trust using cognitive restructuring. Because Danielle distrusts religion,
it is essential to use appropriate cautions so that the counselor does not
prevent Danielle from the right to self-determination while also not forcing
Danielle into praying. (Peters, n.d.).
Christian counseling would be a
helpful approach for Danielle because Christian counselors have the knowledge to integrate
theology, spirituality, and psychology, which can help Danielle move from a
possible sense of brokenness to restoration. (McMinn, 2011). The amount of
spiritual guidance approaches a Christian psychotherapist employ does not
necessarily determine how well their clients perceive their therapy. What
matters more is knowing which types of prayers to use in the circumstances with the
client. (McMinn, 2011). If the counselor truly wants to incorporate therapy
with Danielle, the counselor can use prayer outside of sessions because it has
the least risk of harming the client. (Peters, n.d.). What Danielle has gone
through is one of the most important things to remember. It is also critical to
address Danielle’s actions, such as her verbal and physical abuse, and let her
know that those are not acceptable ways for her to express her dissatisfaction.
Counseling that combines practical knowledge, skillful
abilities, and ethical awareness is considered ethical excellence. Every new
Christian counselor must accept the ethical challenge of providing good
(beneficence) and doing no harm to all persons served if they are to accomplish
observable results from treatment consistently. (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015).
Certain types of therapy concentrate more on one element than another. For
instance, behavioral therapy provides new abilities to compensate for
previously acquired maladaptive learning. (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015). Behaviorists
help clients develop self-efficacy or a more vital, self-assured understanding
of their identity (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015). While accurate self-perception
is the primary goal of cognitive therapy, more modern versions also consider
relationships. “The antidote to trauma and brokenness is a healthy
relationship.” (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015, p. 123).
Jessica H.
References:
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (2023a, Spring). COUN 506 Week
Five, Lecture One: Bible in Christian Counseling [Video lecture]. Liberty
University
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (2023a, Spring).
COUN 506 Week Five, Lecture Two: Using Bible for Spiritual Formation [Video
lecture]. Liberty University
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (2023a, Spring).
COUN 506 Week Five, Lecture Three: Bible and Christian Counselor [Video
lecture]. Liberty University
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (2023a, Spring).
COUN 506 Week Six, Lecture One: Prayer and Christian Counseling [Video
lecture]. Liberty University
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (2023a, Spring).
COUN 506 Week Six, Lecture Two: Prayer for Psychological and Spiritual
Health [Video lecture]. Liberty University
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (2023a, Spring).
COUN 506 Week Six, Lecture Three: Prayer and Christian Counselor [Video
lecture]. Liberty University
Hawkins, R. & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor. A fresh biblical
& transformational approach. Harvest House Publishers.
McMinn, M. (2011). Psychology,
theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Tyndale
House Publishers.
