What is clinically informed Biblical counseling?
Clinically informed Biblical counseling is a therapy that occurs when a believer frames their reference of counseling clients through a Biblical mindset while also holding in place the importance of clinical data and technique.
What is Biblical counseling?
This is receiving counsel from someone who is helping you with your presenting concern through a Biblical lens. They may filter certain ideas, questions, and comments through what Scripture says. People who often counsel others Biblically include youth leaders, youth pastors, volunteers, coordinators, pastoral counselors, or others within the church setting that are gifted at helping others discern many different life situations.
What is clinical counsel?
This is a branch of clinical psychology that aims at helping individuals with their emotional or mental health struggles. Clinical counselors are professionals who have received a degree in social and behavioral sciences.
How does the integration of faith impact how a therapist counsels?
- How we think about people
Understand what it means to be healthy in light of living within a broken world, yet also remember the grace we have been given despite our sinful nature.
- How we think about change
This idea helps us frame our mindset around the different ways individuals can change. Is it through their own perseverance? Empathetic responses from the counselor? Further growth from a relationship with the Holy Spirit?
- Mental and spiritual health
As believers, there is one way in which we are continuously changing, and that is through the process of sanctification. Each day we face challenges and hardships that shape who we are. How we interact and react to these situations either increases our growth or highlights our weaknesses in our walk with Christ.
- Theories, modalities, and techniques
Different applications of techniques and modalities are very important to use in the therapeutic process. Some theories align more than others with the Christian worldview, yet using your own wisdom as a counselor is one of the most important aspects.
How does a biblical counselor differ from a secular counselor?
All counselors are taught similar techniques within their professional training such as empathy, reflection, immediacy, confrontation, and respect. Biblical counselors can integrate their faith with clients who also identify as believers or who are Christian. Secular counselors tend to focus solely on the modalities of behavior change and modification without incorporating faith into their practice. Even though counselors may differ in their beliefs and values, one of the best predictors of improvement within the client is the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist.
Can psychology and theology go together?
Yes, psychology and theology mesh in many different ways even though popular belief says otherwise. Many individuals believe this because the first schools of psychology, like Freud, as many people know, focused on the unconscious mind and sexual desires behind every action. Contemporary psychologists may still believe this, yet most modern psychotherapy practices today shy away from this Freudian view. These two fields of thought fit together because many of the same principles that are found in the biblical narrative appear to help individuals dramatically. For example, gratitude and forgiveness have both been proven to be extremely effective tools within counseling.
What is the difference between pastoral care and biblical counseling?
Generally, pastoral care is offered by a pastor in a specific appointed position at a church. A biblical counselor isn’t necessarily a pastor, yet provides care spiritually through counseling methodology.
What types of therapy do clinically informed biblical counselors do?
There are a variety of types of counseling that clinically informed biblical counselors do; some may include:
- Marriage counseling
- Pastoral counseling
- Life counseling
- Christian counseling
- Career counseling
What types of clients do biblical counselors see?
Generally, biblical counselors see clients with general issues related to family problems, depression, anxiety, spirituality, sexuality, and grief. Although this is just a short list of the different issues biblical counselors deal with, it is not exhaustive.
What is pastoral ministry?
This is known as the ministry that pastors engage in, where they teach, care for, and watch over the body of the church. This is drastically different than biblical counseling, as most pastors don’t focus on the mind or psychology within their framework of scripture.
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References
- Captari, L. E., Hook, J. N., Hoyt, W., Davis, D. E., McElroy-Heltzel, S. E., & Worthington, E. L. (2018). Integrating clients’ religion and spirituality within psychotherapy: A comprehensive meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 74(11), 1938–1951. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22681
- Koenig, H. G. (2012). Religion, spirituality, and health: The research and clinical implications. ISRN Psychiatry, 2012, 278730. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/278730
- Worthington, E. L., Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., & McDaniel, M. A. (2011). Religion and spirituality. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 204–214. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.20760