INTEGRATION OF PSYCHOLOGY AND THEOLOGY ESSAY QUESTIONS

1 . Describe the dynamics of an effective therapeutic relationship in a Christian counseling setting

The development of Christian counseling is a growth in the breadth of coverage of counseling without loss of a basic commitment to the centrality of a particular reading of scripture (Lartev 2003 ,

. 107 Thus , the dynamics of an effective therapeutic relationship in the Christian counseling setting is that therapists should explain where their therapeutic role overlaps with that of their clients ' religious leaders who may also provide some form of pastoral counseling and care Therapists should

make sure that clients feel it is appropriate for them to use a specific spiritual intervention , such as religious imagery and prayer , before using such an intervention . Therapists should not put down or ridicule their clients ' religious leaders , and should let their clients know that they generally see religious leaders and communities as potential sources of support and assistance

2 . Discuss appropriate ways to use Scripture in counseling

According to Tan (1996 , explicit integration refers to

a more overt approach that directly and systematically deals with spiritual or religious issues in therapy , and uses spiritual resources like prayer , Scripture or sacred texts , referrals to church or other religious groups or lay counselors , and other religious practices (p 368

Tan noted that this approach to counseling emphasizes both therapist and client spirituality and integrates counseling with some form of spiritual direction . Another approach to integrating religion and spirituality in counseling is the implicit integration of religion or spirituality . Implicit integration is a more covert approach that does not initiate the discussion of religious or spiritual issues and does not openly , directly , or systematically use spiritual resources like prayer and Scripture or other sacred texts , in therapy (Tan , 1996 ,

br 368 . An example of implicit integration is basing therapeutic values on theistic principles from an organized religion . Implicit integration may be the mode of integration for therapists who profess a religious faith or engage in spiritual practices but who are not trained in the explicit integration of religion and spirituality . For Crabb (1976 , he argued that a solidly biblical approach to counseling is that one which draws from secular psychology without betraying its Scriptural premise , one which realistically faces the deep (and not so deep problems of people and honestly evaluates its success in dealing with them , and , most importantly , one which clings passionately and unswervingly to belief in an inerrant Bible and an all-sufficient Christ (p .18

3 . Discuss ethical standards for your practice as a Christian counselor

The ethical standards in the practice of being a Christian counsellor should focus on the integration of psychology and Christian spirituality . The integration of clinical psychology and Christian spirituality should not deny the individual focus but would rather suggest expansion of that focus to reach out to others . With whom shall this person be ' is an issue that spirituality would suggest needs to be a question as much as Whom shall this person be ' To have one without the other is...