Psychology Theology and Spirtiuality in Christian Counseling

Running head : BOOK REVIEW

Book Review

[Name of the Writer]

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Book Review

About the Author

Prof . Mark R . McMinn , Ph .D , at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton , Illinois , directs and teaches in the Doctor of Psychology program . A representative in Clinical Psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology , McMinn has thirteen years of postdoctoral experience in counseling , psychotherapy , and psychological testing McMinn have authored some very useful books to his credit these include The Jekyll /Hyde Syndrome : Controlling Inner Conflict through Authentic

br Living Cognitive Therapy Techniques in Christian Counseling Making the Best of Stress : How Life 's Hassles Can Form the Fruit of the Spirit and Christians in the Crossfire (written with James D . Foster

Book review : Psychology Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling

Mark McMinn evidently accomplished his aim through the book "Psychology Theology , and Spirituality in Christian Counseling " That is , he has sketched the definitions , similarities , and differences between these three overlying subjects for his readers , specifically Christian counselors , pastors , and students

Keeping in view the deviating thoughts on these issues , everyone will not agree with his explanations . Nor will they conform where he sketches the lines of overlap . And perhaps even less with his stance on incorporation or non-integration of these three subjects

Dr . McMinn uses relational cognitive therapy from a Christian perspective . All psychotherapies begin with particular worldview theories - typically a complex amalgam of science and metaphysics

A Christian theology hypothesize that God created and loves human , and all features of our world are stained by the influences of sin , and that God is energetic in curing and renovating that which is broken

From a Christian perception , Relational cognitive therapy can be used with a large range of clients , irrespective of their theological thoughts . The aim is not theological relationship , but psychological growth and spiritual knowledge . Like all psychotherapies , this approach begins with certain worldview theory that may influence clients ' beliefs and norms in psychotherapy . These worldview theories should be revealed to clients early in therapy during the informed approval process

This therapy can be used with a broad range of clients , but not by a broad range of therapists . Therapists use this method need to have preparation in cognitive and relational therapies as well as an obvious consideration of a Christian worldview

After many years of providing psychotherapy and studying the scientific literature on its effectiveness , I am convinced that good therapy works because it is a place that emulates grace . It is a place of acceptance and mercy , a place where sin and the consequences of sin can be openly explored without the fear of judgment . This frees people to look honestly at themselves , to become more open in their other relationships , and to move forward into richer and deeper connections with those they love . A place of grace needs to be a place of open exploration and acceptance , where both sin and the consequences of sin can be named and grieved (McMinn , 2004 ,

. 49

This book provides counselors the up to date techniques , theory , and general knowledge that is important to their field . This book explains the vitality of the spiritual subjects in psychotherapy . It assists counselors to put together the biblical principles of rescue , plea mercy , recompense , and prayer into their counseling tactics

Generally masses are more theological than psychologists , so it is rational to anticipate that clients more probably will bring up theological ideas in therapy . Irrespective of the therapist 's individual theological and spiritual beliefs , it is significant to have a fundamental perception of major theological worldviews in to comprehend clients ' faith perspectives . Secondly , many people in psychological pain seek the assistance of clergy rather than psychologists . As many as 40 of possible counseling clients look for help from clergy , and only a minimal percentage of these are recommended to mental health professionals (McMinn Dominguez , 2005 ) Thirdly psychologists have displayed scientific interest in spirituality in last years , and have explored points of conflation in the languages of science and faith (Tangney Dearing , 2003

One comparatively undiscovered area in psychology has to do with the Christian structure of sin . This scripture proposes that all humans are stained and injured by misbehavior of their own and of others . A few psychologists and psychiatrists have endeavored into this area , such as Menninger (1973 , Mowrer (1960 , and McMinn (2004 , but majorly psychologists have not thought about the concept of sin in human understanding and behavior

In the most initial treatment procedure , the patient starts to use words like good and bad , and it is our inclination as therapists to minimize the concentration of these words since they are relevant to a value system within the individual which has led to the current state of stress . We have jointly done an excellent job of minimizing the demonstration of good and bad and a very poor job of substituting these theories with satisfactory explanations which permit the personal self-acceptance and peace (Graham , 1980 , pp . 370-371

This book is not a biblical psychology text (it is not a theology of the human soul , infect it never was projected to be such . Nor is it a history of spirituality (again , not its purpose . Nor is it a tactic for daily practice . Its capability , to sketch the concerns that one must think through when considering the possible relation of these disciplines , is its core importance . Therefore it is function as a catalyst

References

Graham , S . R (1980 . Desire , belief , and grace : A psychotherapeutic paradigm . Psychotherapy : Theory , Research and Practice , 17 , 370-371

McMinn , M . R (2004 . Why sin matters : The surprising relationship between our sin and God 's grace . Wheaton , IL : Tyndale House

McMinn , M . R Dominguez , A . D (Eds (2005 . Psychology and the church . Hauppauge , NY : Nova Science

Menninger , K (1973 . Whatever became of sin ? New York : Hawthorn Books

Mowrer , O . H (1960 . Sin ' the lesser of two evils . American Psychologist , 15 , 301-304

Tangney , J .

Dearing , R . L (2003 . Shame and guilt . New York Guilford Press

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