Respond to discussion

The five concepts that I found to be most helpful were content from weeks 3 and 4 lectures as well as the metamorph counseling grid from McMinn's book.  In week three's PowerPoint, I found the concepts of informing a client of their inevitable result of being a fallen creation, but continuing to help them find hope (Brewer & Peters, n.d.) to be most useful.  In a sense, helping a client to see that they will never be without sin is a relief because they won't feel like such a failure due to bad decisions.  However, a therapist must be careful because this type of mentality could become a crutch for the client.  They may resort to thinking that because they will never be perfect why should they even try so hard to get clean or regain custody of their children or stop viewing pornography.  What is the point if one is already condemned?  It is important to remind the client that the continuation of their sin never leads to anything good nor does it make the individual feel "good" about themselves and thus continues the cycles of self-medicating with more sin.  BUT GOD!  Clients can be steered to hope through the redemptive blood of Jesus.  They need to be informed that the God who created the universe and knew every hair on their head was willing and wanting to forgive them and have a long lasting relationship with them as their Father.  As Dr. McMinn stated, "the consequences of unbounded independence are woundedness, brokenness, and pain" (McMinn, 2011).  As long as we are not in God's presence, there will be pain.  In week four, lecture one, the issue of understanding pain and brokenness is reiterated concerning the counselor's world view of such.  A counselor doesn't have to have a history of substance abuse or physical abuse to explain the biblical explanation of pain and suffering and why it happens.  There are many Bible verses concerning the issue of suffering.  For example, John 16:33, I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world and another promise in Revelation 21:4, He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  That last one makes me want to shout every time I read or hear it!  What consolation!!  God's promises offer so much peace.  In addition to the understanding of pain and brokenness, one also must understand that consequences are because of their actions; counselors have to remember that they are a broken individual and must take personal responsibility for fallacies and mistakes just as their client should.  If a counselor begins sessions with a client and the two are not a compatible fit or the counselor is not knowledgeable in what the client needs, the counselor has to accept personhood and refer the client to someone more competent.  The final concept that I found the most beneficial is the use of the METAMORPH grid.  It is a holistic tool that aids a counselor in creating the appropriate treatment plan for a client based on one's Mind, Emotions, Transformational goals, Actions, Motivations, Organic factors, Relational dynamics, Pneumatic elements, and a person's History.  The grid provides a step-by-step plan for each category that offers information concerning which counseling theory is applicable, Biblical references, spiritual formation principles and techniques for treatment.  It is definitely a tool that I will be using in the future!

Based on the scenario provided, I would reinforce the view that Biblically there will never be no suffering while we are still present on this earth.  I would remind Jamie of the promises of God, but mention that her feelings of rejections and lack of companionship is due to her recent divorce and the loss of the consistency she felt when married.  She is now having to completely change her way of life due to the absence of her spouse and loss of her self-identity.  Just as in death, people that get a divorce suffer the same five stages of grief.  I feel as if Jamie is in the anger stage of denial.  I would discuss these with her and together we would formulate a treatment plan that incorporated social connectedness by getting involved in a single or divorced study group at church, volunteering to assist with some position in her church or in the community, and possibly reconnecting with friends and family.  I would give Jamie five scriptures every two weeks to remember and recite to herself whenever she feels rejected and unloved.   I would also direct Jamie to some social media support groups so that she can relate and get resolution from others going through the same thing.  If every therapist stopped seeing clients that at some point got upset with the lack of instant relief from their pain, there would be no professional relationships forged between a therapist and clients!

Brewer, G., & Peters, C.  (n.d.).  COUN 506 Weeks Three and Four: Spirituality, suffering, and counseling dynamics and Multi-tasking in Christian counseling. [PowerPoint].  Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Online.

McMinn, M.R.  (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (Rev. ed.).  Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.