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Mcminn Uses Of Prayer In Counseling

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Concerning prayer, McMinn proposes the question counselors should consider is “…Which forms of prayer should we use with which clients and under which circumstances?’” (p.79). McMinn notes that Christian counselors often consider using prayer as a counseling technique, however, prayer is greater than a technique: it is a means of worship and communion with God. Ultimately, prayer is a humble posture before God as a confession of need. There are several options for integrating prayer in counseling, from praying with the client in session, assigning prayer homework, and praying for the client outside of the session, etc. McMinn warns that these carry different levels of risk. For example, a client may feel pressured to pray in session and instead …show more content…

Around the age of 20, I started working with a Christian counselor for my depression and generalized anxiety disorder. I was optimistic that counseling would help, but I did not know what to expect. I had recently switched my major from nutrition to psychology, so I had no academic foresight concerning counseling.
While we did pray at the beginning of each session, we spent much time simply talking and exploring my thoughts and feelings. It was a space where I could bring my hopes and my fears, spiritual and emotional. Something that I was greatly struggling with was how my personal faith related to my mental health. I did not know many Christians at that time, and I was confused both spiritually and emotionally. Although the counselor did not give me direct answers most of the time, she did provide a space for me to be open and honest about my struggles. I appreciated not only having someone who understood my struggle, but who understood and could relate at a faith level. It was also greatly encouraging to have spiritual disciplines such as Scripture and prayer used in counseling to strengthen my faith and psychological/spiritual well-being, and not as therapy …show more content…

What I have learned most from my personal experience is as Christian counselors, we have a unique opportunity to create a grace space for our clients. Some may be experiencing shame, believing they would not be sick if they, "just had more faith," or are afraid to open up about deep spiritual questions because they believe the counselors will dismiss their faith. My counselors used the spiritual disciplines in the context of the therapeutic relationship, and I believe this was most effective because God has wired us for

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McMinn 4-MAT Review: Psychology, Theology and Spirituality Toya V Mitchell Liberty University Review The text Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling written by Dr. Mark McMinn brings psychology, theology and spirituality together within the counseling office. Throughout the book McMinn presents several challenges that counselors face within their profession, spiritual relationship and personal self (McMinn, 2011). These challenges include areas of competence, blurred personal-professional distinctions, training difficulties, dominant views of mental health, lack of scientific foundations and ethical standards.

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Summary In the book, Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality, Mark McMinn commences by providing the groundwork for the Christian worldview about counseling. He indicates that the book is crucial for individuals interested in looking into the aspect of intra-disciplinary integration (McMinn, 1996). In his exploration of the intra-disciplinary integration frontier, McMinn (1996) focuses on the challenges that Christian counselors face in their practice. As McMinn (1996) discusses the aspect of integration, he disregards religious interventions as well as foundational perspectives, indicating that they might not apply to the identified frontier.

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McMinn Book Review Summary In order to improve the distinctive facets of how therapists support individuals, McMinn used psychology, theology and spiritually. McMinn (2011, p. 351) believed that it is very vital for therapists to be fervent and flexible much more with their personal piety and practices because these may affect the process and outcome of counseling. In Chapter 1, McMinn (2011, p. 293) emphasized about how Christian counselors face professional and personal challenges in the interdisciplinary integration. Chapter 2 talks about the complexity of Christian counseling because its goals are multifaceted.

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He has been diagnosed with depression and has suffered from emotional abuse from his mother. The main reason for his depression is that he has not found a spouse to share his life with because of his emotional issues. He has never been to a therapist before and has reservations about the experience. He grew up in the church and is a proclaimed Christian; however, he readily admits that in the last year he has lost some faith in God. He has come to my office seeking out methods to help him gain a better sense of who God is and is searching for peace.

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An individual can become emotionally disturbed due to their own sin or due to the sin of someone else. Psychological and Spiritual Growth This segment of the chapter discuss whether or not a counselor should confront the client about sin. Will the confrontation increase their spiritual and mental health, or will it cause them to turn away from the counselor and the help the counselor has to offer? McMinn says that there are four appropriate ways to confront the client’s sin in counseling.

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Because of the division of science in religion discussed in chapters 1 and 2, there is very little room for interaction among psychology and religion, especially in the earlier years of psychology. Going into chapter 4, the author gives a comprehensive overview of different worldviews while discussing what they are and the importance of a Christian entering into the counseling profession to have a Christian worldview. Worldviews are learned through various influences and shape our understanding of the world, which gives both insight and distorted thinking. It is vital for counselors to have the proper worldview that is aligned both with empirical scientific evidence and sound theological doctrine to properly guide and direct others into truth, insight, awareness, healing, and

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In helping to strengthen these areas Dobmeier and Reiner used the following publications. To spell out the importance of teaching and using techniques for including spiritual and religious aspects Briggs & Dix Rayle, (2005), Burke et al. , (1990), and Young, Wiggins-Frame, and Cashwell, (2007) said, spirituality is the breadth of a person’s experience, and an important piece endorsing training to help counselor integrate spirituality into sessions. Validating the topic of teaching and agreeing that counselor educators lack self-confidence on how to teach spirituality to students echoed in research by Young, Cashwell, Wiggins-Frame, and Belaire (2002). Dobmeier and Reiner (2012) end with modalities and the rationale for the study, examining student readiness to discuss spirituality and education curriculum should create learning modalities to cover spirituality (Briggs & Dixon Rayle, 2005; Curtis & Glass, 2002;

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I also think that the counselor could also use the option of not confronting sin with our clients by using either the outside-in approach or the inside-out approach. I think that this could be a bit challenging at times, due to it being difficult for people to admit their sinful nature. The fourth concept that I would include in the counseling process is confession. I feel that this would be the most challenge concept to include with the couple during the counseling session.

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Once again a counselor must proceed with caution when using scripture. McMinn (2011) acknowledged that there are many counselors that incorporate scripture with other model or methods. I believe this would be wise to do. For me scriptures deal with any aspect of life, and any crisis that clients encounter.

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Prayer is used with some but not all counseling clients, depending on the theoretical orientation of the counselor and the diagnosis of the client" (McMinn, 2011, p. 81). Honoring Daniella's spiritual level, as a wise Christian Counselor, I would instead offer a silent prayer in my heart during the session and intercede for her outside of the counseling session. Throughout sessions acknowledging the power of prayer, I would prefer to

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The integration of counseling practice and theology can take two forms: explicit and implicit integration. Explicit integration occurs in the interaction between the counselor and client, which

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“The main issue is how do we coach people to be God-centered, rather than Self-centered” (Tangen, 2010)? One way is to strategically frame the questions that are asked. The client’s answers will direct the coach how to frame their next question. Question framing will lead to a point of integration, such as, discussing hope, which in turn leads to the discussion that hope is faith in

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On a personal note, the introduction to biblical counseling has provided me with a new perspective on my faith and my relationship with the Lord. The Lord has given me a heart for the lost and a new love for those around me. It has led me to reexamine my priorities and the purpose the Lord has for me. As I study the scripture, I see new opportunities to use my life to help lead others to Christ.

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Not being able to cope with certain situations in my life, turned to many problems and made it hard to live, happily. After receiving therapy with a certified psychologist for almost nine years, my outlook on life has completely transformed. I have learned how to confront my emotions in a healthy way and how to have a positive attitude towards my day, regardless of the trials that life throws at me. I have been able to develop a character that others have called selfless, caring, and determined to help others. The influence of a psychologist 's help has exponentially heightened my interest in aiding people in dealing with difficult situations and inspired me to pursue a degree in

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