Mark R. McMinn is a clinical psychologist by profession and has a background in cognitive therapy. In his book titled Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling , McMinn stresses how important Christianity is in the counseling profession or ‘office' as he puts it in the book (McMinn, 1996). The author reckons that the book is intended at highlighting what happens behind closed doors in the counselors' offices. Subsequently, he is focussed on showing, using examples, how psychology can be integrated with Christianity, using his background in cognitive theory as the foundation. McMinn reckons that in recent decades, Christian counselors and psychologists have managed to re-unite psychology and theology following the separation of these disciplines in the early Twentieth Century by religious leaders who were ‘anti-psychology' and psychologists who were ‘anti-religion' (McMinn, 1996). However, he acknowledges that this reunion is not easily translated into counseling strategies. Thus, in the first two chapters of the book, the author seeks to build a model for expounding on this reunion as well as to theoretically ponder the matter. In the subsequent chapters, the author attempts to highlight the questions that plague counselors in the process of fulfilling their duties. For instance, these questions may pertain to praying during counseling; using scripture as part of the counseling process; how confession plays out in therapy; the impact of forgiveness on counseling; the role of sin; and lastly redemption.
The book also seeks to expose the readers to the spiritual lives, especially of Christian Counselors. Inherent in this exposition is McMinn's believe in the personal character. For instance, the author reckons that as opposed to theoretical orientation and technical training, the value of counseling interventions is determined by a counselor’s character (McMinn, 1996). This is because when viewed from a spiritual perspective, counselors do not merely reveal their flawed characters during their interactions with clients. Rather, their divine character is revealed through these flaws. Also, through exposure to spiritual disciplines and training, the counselors are transformed, allowing them to reflect attributes that Christ exhibited such as forgiveness humility, compassion and redemptive capacity among others. Overall, the author seeks to integrate theology, psychology, and spirituality into the counseling profession, particularly for the Christian counselors (McMinn, 1996). It is the need to integrate these disciplines that the author brings to fore in all chapters of the book. Ultimately, he underscores the value of establishing trust between a Christian counselor and his or her client in the process of building a therapeutic relationship even before handling the client. This, he reckons is requisite to achieving an everlasting change in the client.
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In the first chapter, McMinn highlights the role of religion in counseling. Discourse on the need for religious values as well as religion in counseling has intensified in recent decades. However, McMinn reckons that with regard to the question of the need for religious values in the counseling profession, it is not the clients alone that are confused. Rather, “many counselors feel confused too” (McMinn, 1996). In chapter two, the author acknowledges the complexity of the counseling profession in comparison with other professions. This is because the goals of counseling are multifaceted in that Christian counselors are concerned with both mental health and spiritual growth of their clients. Thus, he reckons that the two areas cannot be decoupled in the process of counseling and that a spiritual map is necessary. A pattern of healing is suggested that entails self-sufficiency, brokenness and a healing relationship. The most important concepts in the book’s foundation include the fact that the value of counseling interventions is determined by a counselor’s character, and that religion and religious values are integral components of the counseling practice.
In chapter three, the author aims at showing the link between prayer and counseling. He points out that many counselors, including Christian counselors, rarely make use of the Bible during counseling (McMinn, 1996). On the other hand, he points out that for the strict Christians, it is rare to embrace psychology as part of their work. The book thus aims at filling this gap by insisting on the importance of studying biblical texts and embracing sacraments and prayers as part of the counseling practice. He also gives practical advice on the same with the aim of helping counselors to apply these concepts in their line of work. Chapter four focusses on the power of the scripture and introduces the reader to the positive impacts of the use of scripture during counseling. Unfortunately, the author cites, many modern counselors rarely embrace scripture as a way of supporting their counseling models (McMinn, 1996). Thus, the book chapter corrects this shortcoming in a bid to draw attention to the importance of using the scripture in all the counseling endeavors.
Conventionally, counselors are more inclined to avoid acknowledging the integration of religion into their practice. According to McMinn (1996), this attitude is bound to have adverse effects on counseling. This is because a significant amount of emotional disturbances are occasioned by sin, and therefore, confessing these sins during the counseling process and in private is an integral component of the healing process. The author covers these issues in chapters five and six respectively. He posits that the integration of the concept of sin, followed by the process of confessing those sins during the counseling practice plays an unprecedented role in helping in the spiritual growth of the clients. The issues of forgiveness and redemption are discussed in chapters seven and eight respectively. With regard to forgiveness, McMinn (1996) argues that it leads to the client’s emotional relief. Likewise, as opposed to psychotherapy, he reckons that both forgiveness and redemption entail such attributes as self- awareness, empathy, and humility. Redemption pertains to the process of recovery, during which God allows meaning and value to be restored to a particular client's life. Inherent in this argument is the notion that the complexity of psychology and Christianity cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, those on either side of the two disciplines are bound to have difficulties understanding the value that each can bring to a client's healing process. Thus, a counselor needs to have a firm foundation in both theology and psychology in order to help his or her clients in understanding the relationship.
Personal Reflection
Given my scholarly interest in psychology, counseling comes naturally to me. Thus, I often find myself counseling my friends and peers unknowingly. While this may be informal, I reckon that it is essential to my professional growth since it allows me to gain experience in the field. Thus, I consider the feat as part-time counseling. My interaction with this book changed my perspective on religion, particularly in the context of counseling. From the perspective of an upcoming counselor, McMinn's proposition highlights the fact that there is a need for my counseling profession to be anchored on a particular code of ethics. Thus, the idea that a counselor’s divine character is revealed through the flaws that he or she exhibits during counseling was quite enlightening. Likewise, the author’s argument on the need to be anchored on particular religious values was highly timely in my academic and professional growth.
The book also made it clear to me that counselors have a huge responsibility in shaping the society within which they operate in multifaceted ways. This is because they can either amend or create irreversible damage in their clients’ lives. As mentioned by McMinn (1996), a counselor is not only responsible for his or her client’s mental health but also their spiritual growth. Based on this argument, it is vital for all counselors to take caution when handling clients so as to ensure that they shape their lives for the better. For instance, one of the issues that counselors need to do in light of McMinn’s perspective of the profession is to interrogate not only their approach to counseling but also their motives. This requires them to anchor their practices on theology. Also, the author emphasizes that religion and psychology cannot be decoupled. Therefore, for a counselor to sufficiently address a client’s issues, he or she has to integrate theology, psychology as well as faith in the counseling practice. Another point is that conventional psychology has lost its intended purpose, which is to cure the clients holistically. The book calls for an emphasis on this purpose by holistically healing the clients' soul, body, and mind. This implies that in my counseling pursuit, I have to use both the various spiritual disciplines as well as scripture to attend to my clients’ needs. This way, it is only by ensuring that my counseling practice is built on a theological foundation that I can help my clients to deal with their day-to-day challenges.
Analysis
This book offers important guidelines for counselors irrespective of experience especially due to its practical approach. Firstly, it can guide a counselor in mainstreaming religion-based interventions into their counseling practice. Likewise, the ideas highlighted by the author have a psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral basis. Given the author’s background as a cognitive psychologist with interest in the theological foundation of counseling, I find it agreeable that in order for a counselor to be effective, he or she must have a strong foundation in not only psychology but also theology. Embracing the latter, while crucial, is bound to be challenging for me. This is due to the time I require to get acquainted with the discipline and to shed off the strongly held secular inclinations. It is also clear that the author intends to promote Christian counseling while recognizing the psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral basis of the same.
This faith-based approach to counseling is also bound to attract more clients as opposed to the traditional approach to psychology. Thus, the author highlights the flaws of traditional psychologists who might be motivated by the number of people visiting their practices as opposed to the quality of their services. In this regard, the book reaches out to the open-minded counselors who are willing to incorporate religious perspectives in their practice. I find this easy to incorporate in my counseling practice given my Christian background and upbringing. Despite religion and religious values, the author emphasizes basing counseling practices on a strong scientific base (McMinn, 1996). This is particularly important given the belief that Christianity and psychology are incompatible and that it is difficult to back religious interventions with science. It is not hard for me to anchor my practice in both science and Christianity given the argument that a counselor is not only responsible for a client's mental health but also spiritual growth.
Application
While Christian-based counseling as suggested by McMinn is not new, its popularity is growing given the focus on the restoration of moral values globally. This is coupled with the day-to-day challenge that the populace faces as times become harder. As a human services counselor working at a church counseling center, I would seek to anchor my practice on a strong theological foundation as suggested by McMinn. This is especially with the aim of ensuring that I work on my character while fostering a holistic approach to counseling. This perspective is important given the comprehensive nature of counseling. While a theological basis is important, another crucial concept is the need for a strong scientific base. I would pursue this by advancing my education with the aim of blending theology, psychology, and spirituality. In this pursuit, I would be keen on identifying institutions that are capable of imparting me with this combined knowledge. The roles of scripture, prayer, sin, confession, and redemption in counseling as explained by the author cannot be ignored. Thus, given my working environment, I can embrace them by taking time to study them and reflect upon their application in the counseling practice. I also concur with McMinn's position that due to declined religious beliefs, individuals have ceased from practicing confession. This has mainly been occasioned by the peoples' affinity to the secular culture whose popularity is unmatched. Thus, I will purpose to confess whenever possible and to motivate my clients to do the same. Overall, this book has broadened my understanding of counseling and challenged me to open my mind to new ideas about the same.
Reference
McMinn, M. R. ( 1996 ). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling . Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
