Christian Counseling Book Review

McMinn, Mark R. Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality In Christian Counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996. The book opens dialogue with scenarios of Christian counselors faced with dilemma of approaching the subject of religion in the counselor’s office. The author presents an interesting case establishing a need to integrate spirituality, theology and psychology when dealing with religious issues in the counseling office (McMinn, 1996). Theology and Psychology are presented as legitimate disciplines with principles which can be quantified with empirical studies however, integrating spirituality requires a greater understanding of the process of spiritual formation (McMinn, 1996). Another developing issue is the lack
The text suggested that the counselor can use prayer as a technique for spiritual connectedness and formation by developing a deeper relationship and reliance on God and away from self-determinism (McMinn, 1996). The author noted that Theorist Albert Ellis mentioned that the bible is a self-help book that has been more effective in helping people make changes in behavior then professional counselors as a whole (McMinn, 1996). The potency of Scripture can offer hope and perspective in intense moments of an individual’s life (McMinn, 1996). While mentioning biblical characteristics which promote healing the author discusses what led to the brokenness which is sin. The author conceptualizes sin to point out the inconsistencies that mental health professionals have in their explanation of emotional problems.
The acknowledgment of sin involves a process called confession. The author introduced confession as a tool that releases guilt in a shame-free environment (McMinn, 1996). The process of confession leads the individual to seek a form of freedom from the burden of pain which is known as forgiveness. To secular therapist forgiveness is counterproductive because it tends to promote a sense of a duty or obligation to forgive (McMinn, 1996). For Christian fundamentalist confession
The four concepts I would focus on: prayer, confession, forgiveness, and redemption. The skills learned through prayer are transferrable because it provides a simple concept of talk-listen format. Through prayer the individual learns to develop a relationship with self in communicating in a safe manners whereas you work out frustrations without offending others with your conversation. The feedback is rewarding because the return is always silence then life responds with the answers that are needed and not always what we want. Confession is process of releasing the guilt and pain, anxiety and shame which has collected over a period of time and clouds the self. It allows the individual to discover and acknowledge their own weaknesses and the realization that there is a need for another source of information to help resolve the emotional dilemma. Finally, redemption has the restorative qualities that oftentimes lack in secular modalities because redemption does not represent a long-term process. Redemptive approaches could be fashioned similar to brief therapy techniques with resolution surfacing within 3 to five visits to office. However, redemptive approaches brings emotional, psychological, and spiritual wholeness versus only focusing on the current issue and whether it has