Posted by Nick Roy in Psychotherapy, Theories of Counseling Friday, 5 March 2010 21:28 No Comments
Confronting sin is usually not advised if there is not a good level of trust between the counselor and the client. McMinn (1996) identified four situations in which counselors can use to confront sin: silence, pondering, questioning, and direct censure. Direct censure is the most risky as it has the potential of damaging the therapeutic relationship. As McMinn (1996) has stated, sometimes silence is golden. Not saying anything causes the client to think through what they just said. The use of silence is best to show an impartial stand towards a client without having to play judge and jury. As counselors, we are not in the position to play judge and jury. Our goal in counseling is to help a client become more psychologically healthy by bringing them closer to God.
In confrontation it is important to remember the purpose and goal. The purpose of counseling and specifically of confrontation is to bring healing, redemption, and reconciliation (Brewer, n.d.). With this in mind the counselor’s aim should be to fully examine their own motives and reasons behind confronting a client. The best interest of the client at that particular period in time should be the guiding determinant as to what form to use and whether confrontation is appropriate. Guiding a client toward healing and restoring their relationships between God, self, and others should drive this technique (Brewer, n.d.).
Brewer (n.d.) indicated that many times the word confrontation is immediately linked to what he calls direct censure. Direct censure involves the common idea of verbally bringing out sin into the open and entails significant risk in the counseling office if the client is not prepared or ready for this specific approach. Brewer (n.d.) states that the meaning of confrontation in counseling involves many different approaches such as silence, pondering, questioning, visualization of end outcome, and prayer. These techniques can all be used as a way to encourage the client to work through sinful behavior or questionable situations.
Reference
Brewer, G. (n.d.). [Confrontation and confession in Christian counseling]. Liberty University.
McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Posted by Nick Roy in Psychotherapy, Theories of Counseling Thursday, 25 February 2010 23:13 No Comments
Mark McMinn (1996) describes four types of prayer that may be used in the field of Christian counseling. Counselors may silently pray for clients during pauses in conversations, counselors may also pray for clients outside of sessions. I believe these two forms of prayer are always beneficial and should be implemented by the Christian counselor. The final two types of prayer that McMinn (1996) describes are when counselors orally pray with clients during a session and when counselors encourage clients to pray outside of sessions. I believe these forms of prayer may be, but are not always appropriate. When prayer is unwanted or causes the client to become uncomfortable it actually becomes counter effective and may be detrimental to the process of helping and healing. We as counselors should be open to yet cautious when using prayer in counseling settings.
References
McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality: In christian counseling. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Posted by Nick Roy in Psychotherapy, Theories of Counseling Tuesday, 23 February 2010 21:59 No Comments
A counselor who is a Christian has the initial challenge to develop a powerful, personal prayer life. Such a spiritual and prayer life, or lack thereof, will directly impact the understanding, approach, and use of prayer in counseling. McMinn (1996) states that the use of prayer in session is not what should be in question, but what forms of prayer with which clients and under what circumstances. It is important to remember that seeking to help a client find and build a healthy sense of self, need, and healing relationships means that a counselor cannot use prayer as a coercive means to control or as a mask that the client can use to cover deeper issues (McMinn, 1996). Therefore, it is imperative for a client to be open and willing to take part in prayer and not be forced into participation.
Brewer (n.d.) indicates that possible negative impacts of prayer could be the development of dependency on the counselor rather than God, self-consciousness, putting on a mask, and breach of boundaries. To caution against these negative outcomes a counselor can use prayer for clients outside of the session, silent prayer in session, meditation outside of session, and imagery in session, to name a few (Brewer, n.d.). What are important are the comfort level of the client and the appropriate use of prayer suited specifically for the circumstances.
References
Brewer, G. (n.d.). [Prayer and Christian Counseling]. Liberty University.
Brewer, G. (n.d.). [Prayer for Psychological and Spiritual Health]. Liberty University.
McMinn, M.R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Chrisitan counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.
Posted by Nick Roy in Adolescence, Childhood, Human Development Sunday, 21 February 2010 20:46 No Comments
The following study investigates family relationships and the impacts on adolescent substance abuse. More specifically, the current study addresses the research question of whether family relationships impact adolescent substance abuse. Findings of the investigation reveal that peer relationships represent one the strongest individual predictors of substance abuse. More critically, results show that family relationships, specifically with parents, can significantly impact the nature of peer relationships. This, in turn, means that parents can exert a powerful influence, either positive or negative, on adolescent behaviors of their children especially in relation to substance abuse. Implications of these findings suggest that for a society that increasingly spends more and more time away from the home, reconsideration of values and norms is in order.
This is an ongoing research study as part of the Liberty University graduate psychology program.
References
Roy, N. J. (2009). Family Relationships and the Impact on Adolescent Substance Abuse. Liberty University. Available [Online]: http://www.galtmilemedia.com/docs/family-relationships-adolescent-substance-abuse.pdf
