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4 Mat Review 1: Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling
Roberto C. Piscoya
Liberty University

Summary
The book Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark R. McMinn is a synopsis of several approaches in counseling sessions and how patients deal with their everyday life after each session, in order to create a more accurate description of how counseling actually affects the life of each patient. One of the main topics of the text deals with how essential it is for counselor to be conscious of their own personal spiritual life and how knowledgeable they are. This reminds me of the quote that says "You must love yourself before you can love others" since you cannot help others unless you yourself are prepared for the task mentally, physically and spiritually. One crucial component McMinn (1996) explains in the text about counselor-patient relationship is trust. Once the patient begins to trust the counselor that is when real progress is made. It makes sense because most people are not willing to talk to strangers about their problems, but they would be able to open up to someone they trust and feel safe with. In order for counselor's to reach this important milestone in patient-counselor relationship they must create a safe haven for the patient in which they do not feel judged or looked down upon. The author explains how important is to confront a client hand to hand with trusting in order to get a successful relation between the client and the therapist. In the case that trust is not present between the patient and counselor is best not to discuss any kind of sin as this can cause confusion during the session. In order to make progress you must first obtain the patients trust, before confronting the patient or moving further in the sessions.
Furthermore, six principles are explained in order to help the client while they are in therapy: sin, confession, prayer, forgiveness, redemption, and scripture. Praying and using scriptures during therapy sessions will establish trust between clients and therapists since this action will demonstrate how the therapist is asking God for guide in order to obtain an effective therapy session to benefit the client.
It is up to the counselor’s discretion to identify when and where is the right time to incorporate prayer into the session. Some people who are not used to praying with others might feel taken aback by this situation. Therefore, it is essential for the counselor to know the right time to incorporate this principle in the session. The counselor is also responsible for interpreting Scripture but this is a task that must be done with utmost care due to the fact a wrong interpretation could harm the client’s progress. In order for the counselor to obtain the right understanding of Scripture they must have an intimate relationship with God and faith in the word of God (McMinn, 1996, p.140) For a client to obtain progress during counseling sessions they must be able to confess their sins and seek redemption. Once they have expressed their sins the counselor will guide the patient and improve their overall well being psychologically and spiritually. The healing process in the most important process as stated in the text, because it is the stage in which you replace negative thoughts and feelings with positive things. Internal healing is the most important because it is what will guide you to make important decisions in life. Spiritual redemption will change the clients life and how they see the world because they are healed and do not have things holding them back from having a good relationship with God.
Concrete Response Two weeks ago, one of my employees came to me crying and saying he feels God is angry at him. At that moment when he was telling all that stuff it was passing thru his mind, the last four chapters I had the chance to read came to my mind. He asked me to give him an advice of how to connect again with the almighty. However, since I did not know what issues he was going through, I decided to ask him the motives of that feeling. He told me that he had some remorse for not being a good father. Since he was able to identify the sin that was taken him away from the presence of God, and he confesses them to me; I started putting in practice the knowledge gained reading this book. We have a good relationship since I always try to motivate my team members and he noticed I am always there for everybody. Therefore I was able to confront him in the direct censure way, at the beginning it was not easy because I did not want to hurt his feelings, but I remembered the verse that says ``It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1, NIV) so I continued explaining him about what God wants from His daughter and sons. He understood that forgiveness was already given by God but what he needed was to forgive himself. On Friday, we had the opportunity to talk about his issues and he is going through the redemption process in which he is willing to go the extra mile in God’s path.
Reflection
In general, this book is very explicit and clarifies many points for a Christian counselor in therapy sessions. Something that I read and I was very surprised (impacted) was the use of silence during a therapeutic session. But after reading and reading I was able to understand the importance of being heard and the meaning that silence often has. In these cases of therapy self-discipline and respect plays an important role since is needed to be able to hear. Sometimes is necessary not only for the patient but also for the counselor in order to process the situation the client is going through. In the case of therapy silence can be a key that will help to open a door of convenience to make the client feel not judged. At the same time, I also believe that it is very important the message provided by the author since he is trying to explain that the most important goal in Christian counseling is finding inner peace and improving the clients relationship with God.
Action
In my opinion, to be a good counselor the therapist needs to "understand life" and "do not get surprised at nothing." A counselor needs to understand the lives of young people, conjugal life and being able to speak freely about sex. I am not trying to say that a therapist needs to experience every single situation they are treating in order to provide an excellent service, but it would help tremendously in the life of the client if they feel support provided by the counselor. After all, Christian counselor's job is to teach people how to live and succeed, so they can take decisions according to the will of God. Furthermore, as a Christian counselor the most crucial part of my job is to rely on God for anything and everything. With God anything is possible, therefore we should place all our trust in him and ask him to lead us in the right path. By having a great relationship with God and the Holy Spirit, I will be able to submerge myself into his teachings and obtain a greater understanding of his word, which I will then be able to use in my life on a daily basis. What I always remember is that Christianity is not about a following a religion but about having a relationship with God, when you communicate with God you have a better relationship than someone who only reads the scriptures but does not spend time in his presence.

Reference
McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling.
Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.

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