tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.comments2023-03-23T03:08:24.690-07:00Theology and CounselingDr. Corsinihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11401103560367914853noreply@blogger.comBlogger1080125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-58181835497036804682013-05-01T14:56:53.996-07:002013-05-01T14:56:53.996-07:00So your post just blessed me entirely to the poin...So your post just blessed me entirely to the point where I want to copy and paste it to a word document and read it to remind myself of everthing you just said. You said so many good things and I fear I will not remember it. It is so important to remember that when we focus on how well we are doing we neglect God and we he could do through us. Im honestly about to print this out and keep with me, my mind is made up. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232773950026357778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-42371491318004056322013-05-01T14:44:15.186-07:002013-05-01T14:44:15.186-07:00Thank you for sharing this. I know that it is not ...Thank you for sharing this. I know that it is not always easy being vulnerable like this. I can say I know the emotions you are referring to because I too have had personal losses throughout my life. I often wonder if there will ever be an answer to the question you asked. I know that I never know what to say in that situation. I have come to my own conclusion to just be silent. Letting them know your there by just sitting beside them, holding them etc. Sometimes the best thing to do is say nothing at all; allowing your love to pour into them by just being present. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232773950026357778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-64949615052407686012013-05-01T14:33:11.647-07:002013-05-01T14:33:11.647-07:00As I was reading this I thought of a song called b...As I was reading this I thought of a song called brainwashed by Da T.R.U.T.H. It talks about not allowing the sins of this world to brainwash us. He did not touch on politics but basically has the same concept. I personally had to come to a point in my life when I had to really check myself because I did not know whether or not I was believing things due to my up bringing or if it was real for me and thats in regards to everything, not just religion. I guess I found it easier not to question things and that was probably the product of laziness. Good job on your blog. I enjoyed reading it. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232773950026357778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-7663581949484244042013-05-01T05:32:24.344-07:002013-05-01T05:32:24.344-07:00Brent,
God Attachment (and Attachment Theory in g...Brent,<br /><br />God Attachment (and Attachment Theory in general) has always provoked my interest, so I am grateful for the book suggestion! I agree with you that as counselors, expanding our knowledge on attachment does not go unrewarded, as it serves to explain how people relate to others and to God. This serves as a base for understanding how our clients view themselves, and how they view the world, and these two factors are critical to the helping process.Jennifer Spenrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01052055534136988081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-10724234494448356722013-05-01T05:26:52.389-07:002013-05-01T05:26:52.389-07:00Amy,
My experience reading your blog was similar t...Amy,<br />My experience reading your blog was similar to Scott's;I found myself getting lost in your story. As I kept reading, I began to wonder how many other people around me might be suffering from PTSD. I would imagine it being a lonely battle, especially for a person who isn't familiar with the condition and can't rationalize what is happening to them. Thank you for sharing your story! Jennifer Spenrathhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01052055534136988081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-23962325445309839712013-04-30T20:57:44.374-07:002013-04-30T20:57:44.374-07:00Hey Tosha,
I really liked your post. It is very im...Hey Tosha,<br />I really liked your post. It is very important to incorporate both aspects of counseling, especially to help someone who has low self esteem. No love is greater than God's love and if they know that, then the blows from people rejecting them can be softened. And like you stated, when one loves themselves, then they're positivity may touch other people, especially those who really need it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-56851674139285135482013-04-30T20:50:01.351-07:002013-04-30T20:50:01.351-07:00Hey Jaz,
It is so scary how influential parents ar...Hey Jaz,<br />It is so scary how influential parents are to their kids. When we discussed attachment theory it was a little unsettling because I know that I want to have kids someday. Its mind boggling how what we do can make or break a child and have them look at life in a certain way. I am glad that we learned this so hopefully we can end the whole "leave them to cry it out" tactic and inform parents about how to do it the right way. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-11285901944829315072013-04-30T20:37:59.657-07:002013-04-30T20:37:59.657-07:00Hey Rusty,
I completely agree with your blog and a...Hey Rusty,<br />I completely agree with your blog and article. Today the media has so much influence on society. Television and other people can take something so bad and advertise it as being the best thing in the world. This leads to curiosity and many people actually get wrapped up in whatever they are influenced to do. I do not have any children, but this is one issue that I am concerned about because of television and outside influences. Great post. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-65362777185393850912013-04-30T10:46:21.534-07:002013-04-30T10:46:21.534-07:00Scott,
I am sorry to hear that someone so dear to...Scott, <br />I am sorry to hear that someone so dear to your heart has passed. I pray that God provides you and his loved ones with comfort and strength to carry on. <br /> As I read your blog, I could not help but imagine what I would say or how I would help someone who was grieving. I think it is important that we, as future counselors, understand the grieving process and learn how to walk alongside our counselees throughout the process. I have often seen many Christians, myself included, hold unrealistic expectations of themselves and consequently others in dealing with any form of suffering. These unrealistic expectations entail one simply pressing forward while not adequately coping with their emotions. Though it is not wrong to want someone or oneself to be able to press on in their lives despite his suffering, it is wrong to expect others to simply “get over it” and “press on”. Although one’s intentions might be in the right place, holding these unrealistic expectations can easily cause more damage than healing. As future counselors, it is important that we place our counselee’s well-being above all. We cannot expect to be effective Christian counselors if we merely demand change in the lives of our counselees instead of being willing to meet them exactly where they are and joining them in their struggles. <br />Scott, thank you for sharing with us.<br />My heart goes out to you and Trooper James' family. Landa.Lorena89https://www.blogger.com/profile/17107755901979718048noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-55274913625416971582013-04-29T11:40:05.476-07:002013-04-29T11:40:05.476-07:00Jennifer, great post! The video clip was very powe...Jennifer, great post! The video clip was very powerful in expressing the appeal to emotions. You made a very important connection that Satan in a sense "markets" to our emotions. I know I have experienced this in my own life. Because Satan is good at what he does, I am reminded that it is so important to have on God's armor, like the Bible talks about in Ephesians 6. While I understand that Satan is smart and sneaky, I am beyond grateful to know that my God has already conquered him and that He is greater. May God give me the grace and strength to consciously allow Him to reign over my life and emotions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17726550402063589553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-79962216040405707662013-04-29T11:29:03.481-07:002013-04-29T11:29:03.481-07:00Tosha, thank you for your post. Self-esteem is a ...Tosha, thank you for your post. Self-esteem is a vital topic to understand, research, and grasp as potential counselors. While I was growing up in the church, I remember being told that I should have no self-esteem because I am nothing without God. Now, I understand what was trying to be communicated, but as a young teenager I was confused and had no self-confidence. Through growing in Christ, I now understand that I can have self-esteem and I have great self worth because of Christ and who He makes me. This is an important distinction to make. I am so thankful I can be confident because of my Lord and His redeeming work in me!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17726550402063589553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-3625464839777642472013-04-29T11:15:45.571-07:002013-04-29T11:15:45.571-07:00Thank you for your post! I found it encouraging an...Thank you for your post! I found it encouraging and convicting. Like you I strongly believe it is important to look at the individual and their heart and realize that their struggle is no different from our struggles. I love programs such as Celebrate Recovery that help individuals fight sin and claim rightnesses through the grace of God. They do not shame the individual, but rather they guide them to truth with the love of God.<br />I appreciate how you highlighted that the struggle with homosexuality is can be related to a sexual addiction. It helps me understand that it is a real struggle for people and thus it is important for the church to guide, love, and minister, rather than condemn.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17726550402063589553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-85919396557001475252013-04-29T11:15:36.876-07:002013-04-29T11:15:36.876-07:00Thank you for your post! I found it encouraging an...Thank you for your post! I found it encouraging and convicting. Like you I strongly believe it is important to look at the individual and their heart and realize that their struggle is no different from our struggles. I love programs such as Celebrate Recovery that help individuals fight sin and claim rightnesses through the grace of God. They do not shame the individual, but rather they guide them to truth with the love of God.<br />I appreciate how you highlighted that the struggle with homosexuality is can be related to a sexual addiction. It helps me understand that it is a real struggle for people and thus it is important for the church to guide, love, and minister, rather than condemn.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17726550402063589553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-61556643448120278382013-04-28T14:19:39.182-07:002013-04-28T14:19:39.182-07:00Scott,
I'm sorry for your loss and I am also ...Scott,<br /><br />I'm sorry for your loss and I am also happy you were able to be with the family during their grieving, and yours. I'm glad you were able to write about your experience on this blog because it hits home. It's also a final matter when someone dies, so it's not as though we can go back and do it over, such as the case of wronging someone and making reparations.<br /><br />I hope you hold on to the best memory of James. Thank you for being honest and for sharing. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562455723520120344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-9368154863039796972013-04-27T20:23:12.450-07:002013-04-27T20:23:12.450-07:00Hey Nicole,
I greatly appreciate your article an...Hey Nicole,<br /> I greatly appreciate your article and your willingness to be transparent for a bit. I am very sorry to hear about the unfortunate and harmful situation that you found yourself awhile back - not cool at all!!!<br /> At the same time, I am very thankful for all the ways in which God has carried you through, even in the midst of the action taken by someone else.<br /> The whole brain thing can be very a very confusing topic for me to understand at times, so thank you breaking it down in simple terms :-) Much to think about and much to apply - personally and professionally.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535860363097850326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-25656773530687908152013-04-27T19:21:12.954-07:002013-04-27T19:21:12.954-07:00Amy,
Thank you for sharing your heart, passion, an...Amy,<br />Thank you for sharing your heart, passion, and experience with us. Your blog took me on a small emotional roller coaster as I read about your experience in Afghanistan. Survivig a bomb attack on your base is traumatic enough only to realize the fatality of your First Sergeant during the same bombing. Your tribute at Arlington was very touching and moving and I know that his death will continue to impact the way you choose to live your life in his honor.<br />You're right Amy, as aspiring Christian counselors, we need to be competent and well educated in reaching out to our soldiers who are returning from an experience in which only a few can relate.<br />Thank you being able to relate and for wanting to make a difference in the hearts and minds of your brothers and sisters. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535860363097850326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-57072506411861551002013-04-27T18:54:01.589-07:002013-04-27T18:54:01.589-07:00I think the our actions and development are a comb...I think the our actions and development are a combination of genetics and environment but as Christians we have a third option. In the the power of Christ, we have a third option that gives us power and hope for change. No matter what our environment or genetic endowment is, Christians should rejoice that Christ has come to make all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Christ their is power for change and we should act on this new power in Christ instead of relying on our genetic and environmental predispositions. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976036438376868143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-85641904257359377702013-04-27T18:47:31.530-07:002013-04-27T18:47:31.530-07:00Often I don't like the questions, "As a C...Often I don't like the questions, "As a Christian counselor, will you counsel gay couples?" I do believe it is an important question to ask and that it should not be avoided. I don't like it though because I find myself too preoccupied with the "ethical" and "moral" concerns found in the question and never actually trying to reach out to the gay community and love them. I shouldn't let my concern of condoning/promoting sin impact my witness. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976036438376868143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-77163965242525074962013-04-27T18:47:02.154-07:002013-04-27T18:47:02.154-07:00Hi Kayla,
Thanks for taking the time to share your...Hi Kayla,<br />Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on a rather sensitive and hot topic right now. No doubt this is something that Christian counselors will have to address on a more frequent basis in the near future. The question for those counselors is simply this, "How will we respond?" As you stated in your blog, it is essential that we grow in our knowledge regarding this subject matter. We must cover ourselves in Truth according to God's - that also means loving the client as well!!<br />I already feel a dose of anxiety thinking about the possibility of sitting across from a client one day and listening to them as they share their story and their particular issues. Wow - will I be ready?? Will I love them??<br />Thanks again Kayla!!<br />ScottAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10535860363097850326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-40987545102187679822013-04-27T18:39:40.554-07:002013-04-27T18:39:40.554-07:00It is amazing that attachment styles are developed...It is amazing that attachment styles are developed at such an early age. Their impact alone on our interactions with other people has too many implications to count. One of the largest implications being the type of person someone decides to marry. I remember reading research that stated women that had secure attachment styles with their fathers as young girls, grew up to have healthier marriages compared to other women. Furthermore, the type of relationship that girls have with their fathers is often mirrored in the relationship with their future husbands. Attachment theory need to be studied more because it seems to have a huge impact on people's lives.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12976036438376868143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-47881123565564472862013-04-27T14:05:46.484-07:002013-04-27T14:05:46.484-07:00I can relate to your comment, “I personally need t...I can relate to your comment, “I personally need to stop obsessing about over-analyzing every little thing about the subjective things that exist in the counseling profession”. Like you, I find myself over analyzing every little detail because I don’t want to fail as being a “healer” in this profession. When we coupled up and counseled our classmates I felt so nervous as well! My heart was beating so fast! I wanted to help her but could I? I wasn’t prepared! I needed a heads up before we got to class, I felt like. But It wasn’t about me and it should never be about me especially in counseling sessions. You summed it up perfectly by saying: “However, the problem is that when it becomes about us trying to be good enough, we are neglecting the Spirit of God trying to work through us. (Plus, we will always fall short, as displayed in my frantic bit of role playing). And when it becomes about us and our personal ability, it ceases to be about Him and his glory.” Wow. That is so true! Thank you so much for sharing and giving us that reminder. We should be weary to neglect the power of the Holy Spirit trying to work through us because we are then getting in the way of being a true “healer”.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326974172035985329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-46959105531140393122013-04-27T13:55:33.404-07:002013-04-27T13:55:33.404-07:00I really enjoyed reading your blog as it home home...I really enjoyed reading your blog as it home home for me because I have an amazing Uncle that just recently passed away who was gay and had a partner. When you said, "So instead of making homosexual people out to be these monsters, how about we instead take a step back and look for the hurting person within them" I couldn't agree more with you! My Uncle, that was Gay, had so much deep hurt inside him from his relationship with my grandpa, that he never got to talk to with someone. <br /> I do feel like the church does have tendencies to react in an unhealthy manner because they fear the unknown. They don't understand that lifestyle, although I believe there is no greater sin and that all sin is equal. I don't agree with generalizing the church as a whole, as seeing them as "monsters" and how Christians react to the gay community. I feel like this is something new to the church community and they are still trying to figure out how to approach it. Don't get me wrong some churches get it wrong, very wrong. But my uncle never felt like he was a monster, but he lived in New Orleans where he was accepted there. The church is trying to reach out to the LGBT community as well as going on mission trips worldwide. As you mentioned earlier in your article about the Church in DC by saying: “church in D.C. who meets each week to discuss how to better care for these struggling individuals” Hopefully the church can look at their outline on how to better care for people in the LGBT community that are struggling. <br />I do believe people need to stand up politically. BUT they need to do it in love or not do it at all. If someone is going to stand up politically and speak on behalf of Christians and not do it in love I would rather them stay silent then to utter a word. <br />I agree we need to see it as a struggle and approach them in love and create a sincere relationship with them to build trust. Great Blog! Thanks for sharing!!<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326974172035985329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-30145042285046420392013-04-27T13:36:29.998-07:002013-04-27T13:36:29.998-07:00I first want to start out by saying I could not ag...I first want to start out by saying I could not agree with you more when you said “Christian counselors should always be fully aware of their own weaknesses to sin and never feel superior to their clients but rather join them in their struggles and be willing to extend mercy to them”. We should as Christian Counselors join our clients in their struggles, whatever that might be, and never feel superior or to even point fingers at our clients. We should always remember Gods Grace that he bestows upon us every day and be humbled by His beautiful Grace! I like how you mentioned that loving doesn't mean acceptance of their sin. I feel like as Christians we often get confused by integrating love and acceptance as the absolute true colors of a Christian. I feel like Proverbs 27:6 sums it up perfectly: “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” Great blog! Thanks for sharing! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326974172035985329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-11471351806480532492013-04-27T13:29:07.495-07:002013-04-27T13:29:07.495-07:00Ah Brent thank you for this post! I have such a de...Ah Brent thank you for this post! I have such a desire to be attached to my Heavenly Father. I feel that I sometimes forget how the Lord desires for attachment to his children. As Brittany commented above me, I too believe it is very interesting how people view God in light of their parents. I have such a strong relationship with my father, that there is personally no better depiction of what my heavenly father is like. However, I know that many individuals are not so lucky. The attachment styles are something I would like to research and learn more about. Thanks for sharing!! Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669791432017576087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4327598978675535878.post-46838322068795433182013-04-27T13:24:07.081-07:002013-04-27T13:24:07.081-07:00Thanks for you post!! I also wrote my blog about t...Thanks for you post!! I also wrote my blog about the issue of homosexuality. This is such a controversial matter among both Christians and non-Christians. Finding the balance between loving sinners and not condoning sin is a hard line no matter what the sin is. I believe one of the biggest problems is that many Christians are afraid to speak up about the issue. I appreciate your willingness to speak on a topic that is so debatable. Thanks!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11669791432017576087noreply@blogger.com