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Orientation-Discussion Board Forum 1
Orientation to Counseling Professional Identity (Liberty
University)
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Orientation-Discussion Board Forum 1
Basically, the term integration means to bring certain things together into a unified
whole. Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines integration as “the act or process or an
instance of integrating” (Integration [Def. 1], n.d.). It defines integrate as “to form, coordinate, or
blend into a functioning or unified whole” (Integrate [Def. 1], n.d.). With this in mind, “In what
ways are your own beliefs about integration similar and different from Liberty University’s”
(Liberty University online (LUO), n.d.)?
When I think of integration, I think of a different meaning of the word. Integrate also
means “to end the segregation of and bring into equal membership in society” (Integrate [Def.
4a], n.d.). I did not realize there may be alternate meanings of this term, or that integration could
refer to counseling models. My initial belief was that the world is in a state of segregation
brought about by the prejudices each race has against other races, and that we (all races and
ethnic origins) need to set aside our prejudices so that we can come together to bridge the gap we
constructed before we can begin to integrate into a unified whole.
Liberty University’s (LU’s) beliefs about integration, on the other hand, based on Clinton
and Ohlschlager (2002), begin with the integrationist position that integration between biblical
theology and the psychosocial sciences that makeup the biopsychosocial-spiritual (BPSS) model
has four distinctives: unique assumptions, unique goals, unique methods, and unique counselor
characteristics (p. 42-43). LU’s beliefs about integration continue with nouthetic counseling,
which is the integration between the BPSS model and the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments within the Christian’s Bible. The nouthetic counseling position “was given to help
men come to serving faith in Christ and then to transform believers in His image” (p. 45).
Finally, LU’s beliefs about integration continue with the community model, which is the
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integration between the Bible Larry Crabb’s “biblical counseling”, “which endorses and
champions the community model that counseling should be connected to the body of believers in
Christ” (p. 46). The integration within each of these steps leads to Crabb’s “talking cure”. LU’s
beliefs seem to coincide with Crabb’s definition of Christian counseling, that
bridges and incorporates some of the best elements of the integrationist and nouthetic
approaches. His reflections on the state of the “talking cure” and its implications for
counseling and ministry are, in our opinion, provocative and challenging. His thoughts
are instructive as to where Christian counseling and soul-care ministry could, and perhaps
should, go in the twenty-first century. (p. 46)
Reading the text and watching the video in preparation for this assignment enlightened
me to the difference between my beliefs and LU’s beliefs. With this in mind, “How might
Liberty University’s integration model be a challenge for you” (LUO, n.d.)? Even though my
beliefs about integration are so different from LU’s beliefs, I do not see where LU’s integration
model should be a challenge for me because I am flexible when it concerns counseling models or
methods. All I want to do is learn everything I can about counseling so that I will have a
foundation on which I can build my counseling style.
The Bible tells me that the foundation I need to build my life on is Jesus; therefore, the
foundation I need to build my counseling style on is Jesus. Knowing this, I am as pliable as the
clay on a potter’s wheel, and LU is the potter who will mold me into the counselor I strive to be.
I am a blank slate that LU will write upon to produce the counselor I know I will be in time.
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References
Clinton, T., & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian counseling: Foundations and
practice of compassionate soul care(Vol. One). Colorado Springs, CO:
WaterBrook Press.
Integrate [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/integrate
Integrate [Def. 4]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/integrate
Integration [Def. 1]. (n.d.). In Merriam-Webster online. Retrieved from https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/integration
Liberty University online. (n.d.). Discussion board forum 1[Assignment].
