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
Posted by Nick Roy in Psychology and Spirituality Monday, 8 February 2010 21:28 No Comments
According to McMinn (1996) a strong sense of self is a combination of spiritual growth and mental health that should not be compartmentalized or separated. The individual’s ability to move toward a healthy and accurate self-awareness is opposite of self-absorption: “To be healthy, we need to move beyond a preoccupation with self” (McMinn, 1996, p. 46). This means knowing and having an accurate picture of the self in order for growth and maturity to take place. This should not be confused with selfishness but is instead a process from which to leave unhealty habits and thought processes behind.
A healthy sense of self is recognition of neediness, brokenness, and pain in order to cultivate community, reciprocity in relationships, and healing. Self-awareness comes from pain and discomfort; producing insight and healing (McMinn, 1996). From a Christian perspective, I believe that acknowledgment of human sinfulness and fallibility can lead to humble reflection and nuture the ability to change, grow, and thrive. This type of self-awareness keeps an individual moving forward instead of falling into despair. I agree with McMinn’s (1996) view that an accurate sense of self, need, and healing relationships all interact together and lead to a holistic picture of spiritual and psychological health.
Reference
McMinn, M.R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.
Posted by Nick Roy in Psychology and Spirituality Monday, 8 February 2010 21:26 No Comments
Suffering and pain can bring about great healing and transformation (Nouwen, 1975). Opposites shed light on each other, and therefore the beauty of healing is not seen as cleary unless it is against the backdrop of painful experience. Nouwen (1975) explains: “The paradox is indeed that new life is born out of the pains of the old” (p. 19).
Painful experiences that are a part of life give humanity a longing for healing, for “often it is the dark forest that makes us speak about the open field” (Nouwen, 1975, p. 19). The counselor is a guide for hurting people to help them come out of painful experiences and find healing. However, to rememdy the pain to quickly can short circuit the process and may cause dependency. The client who comes into counseling in despair gives the counselor the opportunity to promote solitude in the counseling session and to “speak about the fertile tree while witnessing the dying of the seed” (Nouwen, 1975, p. 53). The beauty of true life and transformation is that it comes out of death. It is the complete message of the gospel. Nouwen (1975) speaks of creating emptiness in a client in order for them to truly understand themselves, which drives them toward true living. It would not be wise to state directly to the client that pain must come first in an insensitive manner. Using professionalism and descretion over blunt verbiage would be best, but the message is still the same.
Reference
Nouwen, H.J.M. (1975). Reaching out: The three movements of the spiritual life. New York: Doubleday.