Mcminns Psychology Theology And Spirituality In Christian Counseling Religion Essay

Mcminns psychological science Theology And Spirituality In Christian Counseling Religion set aboutPsychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by commemorate R. McMinn teaches Christian advocates the importance of Spirituality in the counseling self-confidence. Throughout the phonograph record McMinn provides deep insight on the integration of the three concepts the author provides concrete cases that in allow the canvaser to grasp the cultivation by applying the scenarios to the text. To snap off raiment Christian Counselors he offices cognitive therapy from a Christian perspective as foundation for his work. He stresses the importance of building an effective therapeutic family human alliance between the counselor and the client in order for therapy to be successful. McMinn uses a variety of religious interventions to establish psychological and spiritual health. Throughout the chapters he elaborates on the use of petition, scripture, ungod liness, confession, benevolence, and redemption in the counseling normal. McMinn discusses the positive cause as well as negative side effects of the use of prayer. He states that the counselors level of spiritual maturity will provide an speeding limit for the potential impact of prayer in counseling (McMinn, 1996, p.87). McMinn highlights the powerfulness of Scripture and outlines the specific effects it whitethorn commence on the client. McMinn summarizes the chapter by noting Our noesis of graven image, self and Scripture are all interrelated, but our cogency to transform any peerless of these elements will add to our ability to understand the oppositewises (McMinn, 1996, p.124). McMinns study of the nature of offense and its role in the counseling practice is also very thorough. As he notes, generally psychologists have been benumbed in sin, preferring to ignore it or to discuss the effects of the concept of sin (McMinn, 1996, p. 161). Such an attitude has negati ve consequences, as in almost cases sin can be a reason of depression, feeling of guilt and other negative feelings. He proposes the Christian counselor to understand sin from a theological and spiritual perspective. As he states, such a depart can add necessary depth to the work of a counselor and encourage his clients to grow spiritually. Describing the historical references of confession as a ceremony of penance, McMinn underlines the necessity to understand its role and importance in the work of a Christian Therapist. Confession requires humility, which requires us to look at ourselves honestly and endorse both our strengths and weaknesses. Confession closely deals with forgiveness, which is a very popular national among counselors. The author attracts readers attention to the fact that Christian understanding of forgiveness may differ from the ways that non-Christian counselors understand forgiveness. Christian forgiveness is not a simple emotional relief however, McMinn st ated that our capacity to forgive one another depends on our capacity to understand both our need for forgiveness and Gods gracious gift of forgiveness (McMinn, 1996, p.235). McMinns final chapter on redemption sums up the previous topics prayer, scripture, sin, confession, and forgiveness. Redemption is a process of creation freed from sin and being restored back unto God. As McMinn finalizes the admit with this chapter he sums up redemption by saying the wonder of redemption is that we are brought back into a relationship with God (McMinn, 1996, p.265). Finally once we experience redemption, our middle-aged ways of view are brought as one with God.After reading this paper I am reminded of a intro given by my former pastor. spark advance up to this demonstration my uncle Jesse had been beaten unrecognizably by gang members in Charlotte, NC. My uncle, raised in the church, had a calling on his life from a very young age and ref utilise to accept his calling. He had been runni ng for years and through those years he was often referred to Jonah, but one darkness changed all of that for my uncle. I can still remember visiting him in the ICU at Carolina Hospital in Charlotte and afraid to look at the hideous swellings upon his face. His eyes were swollen to the size of golf balls and stitches had been applied to various parts of his face it was a horrible sight to see. After his surrender he was given shelter by my pastor and started attending the church. The demonstration given by my pastor showed the church what sin can do to a person. I remember hearing my pastor pray and my uncle confessing all his sins while standing at the altar. The pastor preached a heavy preaching that taught me how important the confessions of sins were in judgeing forgiveness from God. I have well-educated that God is a God of sulphur chances and he will fall in us forgiveness if and when we are ready to confess with our mouths. The moral of the story my pastor pointed ou t was that God was a redeemer and therefore gave second chances to his sons and daughters.ReflectionMcMinn did an excellent job covering the aspects of integrating psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. While the book offers insightful ways to look at varied situations that may happen in the Christian counseling office there is one thing that bothered me most. If most types of prayer has not been researched how is the counselor supposed to define clear and ethical take uplines for the use of prayer in counseling? I believe that prayer forms an intimate relationship between God and the individual therefore prayer should not be used in the therapy sessions especially if further research is needed. Prayer I do believe is an effective tool that can be used in therapy but should be used outside the counseling sessions stepwise as the client feels comfort and the need for seeking Gods presence on his or her own. This is a good book and should be read by all Ch ristian counselors. It is essential in helping to expand their knowledge on the basis of integrating psychology, theology, and spirituality. The case studies are helpful in take uping both positive and negative ways to approach connatural situations met in the counseling sessions. McMinn did a great job elaborating on the different themes prayer, scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. The uses of the themes were successful in teaching the confused counselor how to unify their spirituality into the therapy session. Overall the book is a positive guide for new and old counselors to use as basis of understanding how each of the themes can have a powerful impact on a clients progress.ActionsThis was an outstanding book and it taught me valuable instructions on multitasking as a counselor. McMinn stated that the most effective Christian counselors are able to process several ideas concurrently (McMinn, 1996, p. 269). It is important for a counselor to be able to suc cessfully integrate psychology, theology and spirituality in the counseling sessions to effectively treat the problems of their clients. I personally will take what I learned and continue to read and kindle my understanding of the different concepts so that I may learn to use them wisely. Reading this book enlightened me with so much information that I can easily share with a friend to enhance their knowledge of Christian counselors. I would first make it known to them that as a Christian counselor we are set apart from other psychologists in that we put God at the forefront of our lives and therapy sessions. Being a Christian psychologist gos with many challenges and we have to constantly refine our relationship with God and acknowledge him as the All knowing God because thats who we ultimately seek direction from. Learning how to integrate the use of prayer and scripture with Christian clients we have to recognize the negative side effects that can come of prayer or scriptural i nterventions. I will continue to funding God first in my life allowing him to speak to me, lead me, and guide me as an instrument to help others. I can only better myself after reading this book and take what I learned to pose the multitasking counselor.