LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Counseling Techniques and the Role of the Counselor
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (Ed. D) Department of Christian Leadership and
Church Ministries
By
Mary Gracias
Lynchburg, Virginia
10/2022
Counseling Techniques and the Role of the Counselor
Counseling techniques
The Biblical Psychotherapeutic Integration Model (BPIM) is comprised of several concepts,
interventions, and techniques from the Biblical Counseling Model and Integrative Counseling
Model (see Collins, 1993; Crabb, 2013; Jones, 2001; McMinn 2012; McMinn 7 Campbell 2007;
Powlison 2010a; Tan 1987). Christian Accommodative Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) plays a
role in the development of interventions and techniques that are employed to help the client
identify and challenge maladaptive thoughts for the purpose of proper mental, physical, and
spiritual functioning (Jennings, Davis, Hook, & Worthington, 2013). Techniques utilized in BPIM
that represent a biblical counseling and integrative counseling background include: prayer-
based relaxation, Christian meditation or guided imagery (see Propst, 1981), cognitive
restructuring through sources of religious authority (see Tan, 2011; e.g., Scripture, devotionals),
therapeutic support and representation of a healthy interaction, and engaging in spiritual
growth activities.
The role of the counselor
In BPIM the role of the counselor is vitally important. The counselor is a reflection of Christ
in the counseling room (see Matthew 22:37-40; John 8:23; 17:17-19; 1 John 2:6; Scott, 2012).
The counselor is to set the example of establishing a positive, healthy relationship by exhibiting
Rogerian principles of empathy, acceptance, genuineness, and positive regard for the client (see
Romans 15:7; Rogers, 1957). For the client, trust is a major issue. Counselors can help clients
see that others can be trusted. Counselors, in this model, are tasked with being a reflection of
God, being open, genuine, empathetic, and accepting. Not all clients are going to be open to
Christian counseling, but that does not mean a BPIM counselor cannot help them. The work is
being done through the Holy Spirit.
BPIM is an integration of key concepts, interventions, and techniques from The Biblical
Counseling Model and Integrative Counseling Model of Christian Counseling. Areas of
discussion included a discussion of the biblical and integration models separately and
collectively discussed: truth and knowledge; creation of mankind and human personality;
theory of motivation; influences from various disciplines; descriptions of health, illness, and
recovery; techniques; and lastly the role of the counselor.
References
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Anderson, N. T., Zuehlke, T. E., & Zuehlke,J. S. (2000). Christ centered therapy: The
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Crabb, L. (2013). Effective biblical counseling: A Model for helping caring Christians become
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