Biblical and Secular Models of Counseling
Biblical and Secular Models of Counseling
Sara Hall
Liberty University
Biblical and Secular Models of Counseling
Deciding how to model your counseling practice is one of the fundamental issues needing to be addressed when a counselor is choosing to begin a successful career as a licensed counselor. There are many different theories, strategies and methods to choose from when developing the foundation of your models, but all must adhere to the ethical standard of behavior set forth by the American Counseling Association. The best way to establish a model of counseling is to compare and contrast several different counseling practices and carefully evaluate their individual methods, goals, premises, strategies and theories.
Larry Crabb ‘s perspective on the goal of Christian counseling is to help people mature and worship God with a freedom to serve Him as well as to equip them with the knowledge of how to become more like Him (Crabb, 1977). Both Larry Crabb (1977) in Effective Biblical Counseling and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics are in agreement stating that great care and concern should be used when making a diagnosis of a mental disorder (ACA, 2006). Both agree that looking at the individual, his history, environment and other precursors will benefit the counselor when being approached by the counselee to help solve unwanted behaviors, beliefs, ideas and thoughts. Crabb (2003) and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2006) are also in agreement with regards to the importance of being prudent in choosing and utilizing the appropriate assessment process, as well as being cautious when the interpretation of any test is required. Crabb emphasizes this by recommending that troubled counselees be referred to appropriate, capable counselors. However, a concern, to the biblical counselor would be the code referenced in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2006.) This section is titled
Sara Hall
Liberty University
Biblical and Secular Models of Counseling
Deciding how to model your counseling practice is one of the fundamental issues needing to be addressed when a counselor is choosing to begin a successful career as a licensed counselor. There are many different theories, strategies and methods to choose from when developing the foundation of your models, but all must adhere to the ethical standard of behavior set forth by the American Counseling Association. The best way to establish a model of counseling is to compare and contrast several different counseling practices and carefully evaluate their individual methods, goals, premises, strategies and theories.
Larry Crabb ‘s perspective on the goal of Christian counseling is to help people mature and worship God with a freedom to serve Him as well as to equip them with the knowledge of how to become more like Him (Crabb, 1977). Both Larry Crabb (1977) in Effective Biblical Counseling and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics are in agreement stating that great care and concern should be used when making a diagnosis of a mental disorder (ACA, 2006). Both agree that looking at the individual, his history, environment and other precursors will benefit the counselor when being approached by the counselee to help solve unwanted behaviors, beliefs, ideas and thoughts. Crabb (2003) and the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2006) are also in agreement with regards to the importance of being prudent in choosing and utilizing the appropriate assessment process, as well as being cautious when the interpretation of any test is required. Crabb emphasizes this by recommending that troubled counselees be referred to appropriate, capable counselors. However, a concern, to the biblical counselor would be the code referenced in the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2006.) This section is titled
References: ACA code of ethics. (2006). Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, 84(2), 235-254. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/218970374?accountid=12085 Andrews, L.W. (2010). Cognitive-behavior therapy. Encyclopedia of Depression, 1(1), 112-113. Retrieved from: http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.liberty.edu:2048/ps/i.do?id =GALE%7 CCX1 762700076&v=2.1&u=vic_liberty&it=r&p=GVRL&sw= w Crabb, L. (1977). Effective biblical counseling. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Kensit, D.A. (2000). Rogerian theory: a critique of the effectiveness of pure client-centred therapy, Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 13 (4), 345-351. doi:10.1080/095150701100465 51