Reading an article about the most important skills of a counselor I have realized that Christians counselors have a big responsibility and burden in our days. We have something very valuable to bring in the field of counseling. A spiritual component that I would say it is more important than any other skill or knowledge a therapist may possess. It is more than an theory or approach … it is a new way of doing counseling
Even if there may be Christian Counselors who may disagree with me, my personal opinion is that the spiritual formation of the Counselor is very important, if not crucial in the process of counseling.
Probably if Jesus would be asked to talk about this very subject he would use the same words he have used 2000 years ago: "Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? Luke 6:39 (NIV)
If we, as counselors, say that we are partners with God in the healing process, the relationship we have with our Creator and supreme Doctor should play a crucial role in the counseling process. Even if techniques, theories and skills are important for the counselor, all these without the guidance and wisdom of the Great Counselor (The Holy Spirit) would still make the helper a “blind trying to lead another blind”.
Also it is very important how the Counselor see the problem or the root of the problem he is addressing in therapy. If he sees it as a personal sin or mistake, or as an universal disease, or maybe an integration of both. (McMinn, 1996)
The perspective how the problem is seen can be of a huge influence in the treatment goals, methods and techniques established and used.
I think you bring up a great point. Although having attributes such as wisdom, empathy etc, if we don't have the Holy spirit within us those attributes mean nothing. We must be spiritually right with God in order to bring the client to the Holy Spirit, and we must also believe everything we are preaching to the client.
ReplyDeleteThnaks Ryan for your comment. Yes ... I believe that true healing can only come through the Holy Spirit .... see Connecting by Larry Crabb
ReplyDeleteI agree with the importance of the counselor's spiritual formation. In COUN 506, we have been reading McMinn's book and he talks about the importance of a counselor own spiritual walk and how this will protray geniuness in the counseling session. I also read that the technique the counselor uses it not as important as the relationship between the client and counselor and what better way to improve our relationships then getting closer to Jesus, who can teach about unconditional love and biblical serventhood. The verse from Luke is a perfect example of the foolishness of trying to counsel without considering your own personal walk. Thank you for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the importance of spiritual integrity and foundation. As Christian counselors, we should always seek what God wants us to do before we dive right into the different theories and methods. At the same time, we shouldn't flat out ignore the different theories that exist. Of course we shouldn't pay much attention to the ones that contradict the Bibles, but there are some that are sound. I believe the reason some of this theories exist is because God allowed them to be and therefore they have some uses. At the same time, they do not and will never trump the word of God.
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