Diane Langberg Christian Psychology Approach Summary

Diane Langberg presents the Christian Psychology Approach. She approaches the discussion of the relationship between theology and psychology by explaining that Christian Psychologists, seemingly referring to the members of the Society for Christian Psychology, start their clinical work with a focus on who they are as Christian Psychologists ( Langberg, 2012). In that sense, she seems to prioritize theology over psychology, explaining “Christians psychologists seek to draw their understanding more from these uniquely Christian categories than from modern psychology, though valuing the latter and its methods” (p. 111). Langberg believes that when it comes to the application of spirituality in psychotherapy, it must start with the counselor.
She states “God is always working both sides of the equation and most frequently begins in the life and character of the therapist rather than the stated client” (p. 130). Langberg believes that first and foremost, the clinician is to be immersed in the knowledge of Scripture, and “be daily brought into submission to the person and work of Christ” (p. 111). In regards to any tensions between the two disciplines, I believe that Langberg would give more authority, as she explains that her understanding of human beings in informed by theological studies of “the Son of Man” (p. 111).
With clients, Langberg(2012) seems to take gradual approach. She advises against bringing theology into treatment early, when the client still maintains a significant amount of cognitive distortions. Once the client has been able to experience an empathic relationship with the therapist, and through the healing process of trauma work, Langberg (2012), starts a more directive approach to theology. She explains that the client is able to change their distorted beliefs, she then directs them to passages of Scripture that might address the client’s dilemmas. However, she explains that instead of sharing with the client her understanding of those passages, she encourages the client to seek to study those passages and wrestle with them themselves, then, at the following session, they can share with the clinician their experience and “new understanding” (p. 127). I seems that Langberg seems both theology and psychology as revelations of God’s truth, thus, using then both jointly throughout treatment, although, at some points in treatment, she might focus more on one than the other.