Neff and McMinn Review Assignment
Princess Batsavage-LoNigro
Liberty University Online
COUC 506: Integration of Spirituality and Counseling
Dr. Robert Farrell
February 27, 2022
Author Note
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Email:
Neff and McMinn Review Assignment 2
Neff and McMinn Review Assignment
Abstract
As a Christian counselor, there are many topics that when incorporated into will become
beneficial to clients. In Embodying Integration: A fresh look at Christianity in the Therapy Room
(Neff & McMinn, 2020), written by Megan Ann Neff and Mark R. McMinn, the chapters Final
Conversation 4, 5, and 6 have many incorporating and connective pieces. Specifically, the
chapters Final Conversation: Facing Difficulty, Considering Atonement, Final Conversation:
Pondering God, Mission of God, God with Us, and the Final Conversation: God in the world
demonstrate the need to one with God, His mission for the world, and his sacrificial love, Agape.
Considering Atonement shows both the counselor and the client the need to be one with God.
This chapter talks about different metaphors that lead to atonement with the caution that all these
metaphors need to be considered to prevent problems from arising (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
Mission of God, talks about “Missio Dei” the missional work of God (Neff & McMinn, 2020,
pg.190). This chapter discusses different forms of mission but the one mission that never fails
and is the most important is the Mission of God. This mission is towards-humanity to help
alleviate suffering and to be along side everyone. God with us, provides a summary of how the
chapters relate to one another and how God walks along side us. The Final Conversation chapters
provide questions to review and apply to one’s counseling career as they are reflections as well
as personal stories from the authors (Neff & McMinn, 2020). After the summary of the chapters,
my personal reflection is mentioned. I reflect on God’s Grace and Gracism (Anderson, 2007),
Hope and Grace, my theoretical orientation, the therapeutic relationship, Biblical principles
(King James Bible, 1769/2017) and Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association, 2014),
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and Implications for Counseling. Following my reflection, I talk about my radical emotional and
motivational change, my Spiritual Formation.
Neff and McMinn Review Assignment 4
Neff and McMinn Review Assignment
Chapters 4-6 and Final Conversation Summary
In Embodying Integration: A fresh look at Christianity in the Therapy Room, written by
Megan Ann Neff and Mark R. McMinn (Neff & McMinn, 2020), chapters Final Conversation:
Facing Difficulty, Considering Atonement, Final Conversation: Pondering God, Mission of God,
God with Us, and the Final Conversation: God in the world (Neff & McMinn, 2020) demonstrate
how Christian counselors should incorporate biblical aspects into their counseling careers.
Final Conversation: Facing Difficulty, Mark McMinn discusses a personal experience
that helped to reiterate the need to keep God in the middle of his counseling career. In this
conversational piece, McMinn expresses that there are no solutions to certain problems that
clients seek therapy for. Like the role God plays in our lives, as counselors we are sit with the
client and acknowledge their struggles despite working to gain a solution. McMinn utilizes the
biblical aspect of Lament and the biblical scripture of Ecclesiastes 1 (King James Bible,
1769/2017). McMinn expresses how these terms are relevant in the therapeutic relationship
however the counselor must also keep the focus on God (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
Considering Atonement, a chapter about how in the therapeutic relationship the counselor
can see the client’s atonement through their narratives. These narratives are influenced by the
clients’ religious beliefs, historical events, as well as their current experiences. Neff and McMinn
start by defining atonement as being the “process of coming to wholeness and reconciliation with
God” (Neff & McMinn, 2020, pg. 148). These narratives that talk about different metaphors that
demonstrate perspectives about atonement. Three of the most dominant types of metaphors are
the Christus Victory or Ransom Theory, Moralistic Theory, and Satisfaction or Penal
Substitution. Each of these metaphors are perspectives on one’s narrative. Counselors cannot
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have just one metaphor that they utilize as it creates problems in the therapeutic relationship.
Christus Victor or Ransom Theory and Moralistic Theory are seen to be objective models of
atonement whereas Satisfaction or Penal substitution is a subjective model of atonement. Neff
and McMinn describe strengths and weaknesses of the Penal Substitution model for how it
demonstrates the radical forgiveness that God offers but it can be misinterpreted and
misrepresented. Continuing the discussion about having one metaphorical view of atonement,
counselors and psychotherapists are affected for how the counselor's perspective of these
metaphors affect their understanding of God and how they sit with their clients. Having one view
of atonement also affects the interactions between the counselors and the clients by shifting the
perception of one another and themselves. The last concept that Neff and McMinn discuss about
atonement is that God provides hope through suffering. No matter the view on atonement, these
authors make sure to point out that God is always with us and beside us (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
Final Conversation: Pondering God is the discussion about how instead of finding the
correct belief, it is about creating and participating in conversations. These conversations are an
open door to discussions amongst different beliefs with integration of theology and psychology.
When looking at the counseling relationship, these types of conversations prevent one religion
from dominating the conversation. It is also important to recognize that theology and psychology
integration prevents preaching from occurring as that is not the goal of therapy (Neff & McMinn,
2020).
Mission of God can be found in different perspectives. Mission and Soteriology focuses
on friendship evangelism. This evangelism works by those of faith making friends to bring
others to know God. The is the basis of friendship which creates a problem for the lack of
connection between the two individuals. Mission and Ecclesiology is worried about bringing
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people to the church to build their number of members working to create sustainability within the
church. This mission works to replicate the biblical day of Pentecost. When placing God as the
source of the Mission, the mission becomes the Mission of Trinity. This focuses on the trinitarian
nature between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. This type of mission is also referred to as the
Rooting mission. When Another way of explaining this type of mission is through the “Missio
Dei”, missional nature of God (Neff & McMinn, 2020, pg. 190). Throughout the conversations
and discussions that Neff and McMinn provide, we see that God works in an outward-facing or
toward humanity type of way. With this in mind, it is important for counselors to keep an I-Thou
relationship with clients, as God has with us. In a psychological perspective, it means that
counselors do not need to focus on the methods or techniques but on the client and witnessing
the words and actions of God. No matter the focal point on Jesus’ life, it is important to recall
that when looking at God and in the counseling relationship the bigger picture needs to be in the
focus. This is shown in the bible for how Peter calls to the community that no matter the
religious separation – referring to the Jews and the Gentiles – everyone needs to come to the
meal table to worship God (King James Bible, Eph 2:14-22). More importantly, the reason for
meeting around the meal table is for the purpose and representation of unity. Throughout the
bible, God embraces diversity. All in all, when invoking missional psychology, it is important to
remember to actively engage in the world, to keep hope the focus over the despair, and equally
discuss human suffering with thriving humanity (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
God with us, discusses how all the elements such as Lament, Hebel, the image of God,
Atonement, and the mission of God all connect into the idea that God is with us and for us. This
chapter talks about how God is the creator of the world and his gifts of forgiveness and grace
show his love for us in admits of all the suffering we encounter on the earth. Neff and McMinn
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discuss Leon Festinger's foundation of the term, Cognitive Dissonance Theory. This theory is
when the “beliefs, attitudes, and behavior are in conflict” creating restlessness in the brain (Neff
& McMinn, 2020, pg. 218). When looking at this from a Christian perspective it becomes
apparent that some experience this dissonance when they are unable to align their thoughts about
the suffering God lets us endure on this earth even though He is a gracious and loving God. Neff
and McMinn point out how this theory is shown when people change their beliefs and their
attitudes to fit their behavior. When looking from the Christian perspective God shows that we
need to change our behavior to fit our beliefs and attitudes. With this idea, it is important to bring
to light that the Holy Spirit is the midwife in our lives on earth. The spirit is what is sustainable
and our companion. God sent the spirit down to walk with us through these suffering times (Neff
& McMinn, 2020).
Final Conversation: God in the world, was included after learning about all these biblical
elements and how to rely on them in the counseling profession. This lasts chapter asks questions
to provide a reflection on how we as counselor’s attune our attitudes, beliefs, and behavior
towards God. This chapter asks for a reflection on how we utilize and keep God in focus during
our learning and counseling profession (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
Reflection
God’s grace and Gracism
Throughout chapters Final Conversation, 4, 5, and 6, one major theme is God’s grace.
This idea of grace is one that I agree with especially when utilizing it in the counseling
relationship. As I was learning about how God’s grace is shown throughout the Bible as well as
through messengers it made me think about what are some strategies that I can use when
counseling suffering clients. The answer to this thought can be found in Gracism by Anderson.
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This written work gives seven ways of incorporating Grace into comforting others. I would
recommend this book along with Neff and McMinn as the idea of Gracism is one that many
Christian counselors may struggle with.
Hope and Grace
When continuing to look at Gracism, Anderson complements the message that Neff and
McMinn provide. Neff and McMinn express how God desires to connect with humanity. This
connection allows for hope to be incorporated (Neff & McMinn, 2020). Anderson gives a more
specific idea about how hope is shown to humans. Anderson talks about how hope is a reflection
of God’s grace to humanity. A great example of this idea that ties together the idea of God’s
grace and Christian Counseling is Ron Hawkins’ story about how he felt the grace of God when
his pastor tells him one day that God loves him and so does the pastor (Hawkins & Clinton,
2015). This story provides a prime example between the connection between God’s love and
grace towards humanity. Hawkins further discusses his emotional event to this interaction and
how it has changed his view on how to counsel others (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Theoretical Orientation
When thinking about the clients and how they want to see change but there may not be a
solution to the clients’ presenting problem, I found a connection between my theoretical
orientation and this idea expressed by Neff and McMinn. When thinking about the different
theoretical approaches that I would utilize in my counseling career, I connect the most with the
Cognitive Behavioral Model (CBT). This model has the clients create their own goals and steps
to achieving those goals of change under the guidance of the counselor. This therapy style is
most beneficial and efficient for the clients when a positive therapeutic relationship is established
(Tan, 2011). When reading Hawkins and Clinton, they also express that a power of a therapeutic
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relationship allows for genuine change and the ability for clients to explore their own needs
(Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Therapeutic Relationship
When thinking about the therapeutic alliance, Neff and McMinn’s focus to keep God
within this relationship allows for Christ-like aspects to be demonstrated in the therapeutic
relationship. I have always wanted to keep the focus on God as has provided a guide to how we
can be messengers and healers to others. When thinking of counselors as healers and messengers,
Neff and McMinn make sure to point out that God must remain in the center of the healing
process. God is the only one who can provide the healing that others need (Neff & McMinn,
2020). As Christian counselors we are to use our gifts to provide listening and guidance for those
who are suffering in a biblical manner.
Biblical Principles and Code of Ethics
When thinking about these chapters and conversational topics, one topic that I find to be
interesting is the responsibility to abide by the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) Code
of Ethics (American Counseling Association, 2014) as well as Biblical Principles that are
expressed within the Bible (King James Bible, 1769/2017). In Exodus 20: 1-17 (King James
Bible, 1769/2017) these verses demonstrate how the Bible is a guide for our ethical perspective
people and nations (Liberty University, n.d.). When thinking about these Biblical principles and
the ACA Code of Ethics, one frustration that I run into is how the Bible tells us that we are to be
messengers and proclaim the word of God but the ACA cod A.4.b tells us as counselors that we
are to reframe from allowing our personal values to be incorporated into the counselling
profession. Although I have learned a lot from Neff and McMinn, Hawkins and Clinton, and
many other resources, I find that I struggle to find the balance of how to be a messenger of God
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but reframing from pushing my values onto the client. Knowing that there is an internship in this
program, I feel confident that I will be able to find this balance through practice and
conversations with other counselors.
Implications for Counseling
When thinking about chapter 6: God with us (Neff &McMinn, 2020), I find that this
chapter provides more concepts beyond an explanation of the connections between the previous
chapters. When thinking about the title it makes me reiterate that God is always with us (Neff &
McMinn, 2020). When I think about this fact it reminds me of the power of prayer that can be
utilized in the counseling relationship. Moitinoho and Hawkins talk about the different ways of
incorporating prayer into the counseling session. The one prayer layer I want to discuss is Prayer
for the client and the counselor prior to the counseling session (Moitinoho & Hawkins, 2022).
When learning about the different aspects that the Bible talks about when it comes to suffering
people such as Lament, Hebel, and the Mission of God (Neff & McMinn, 2020), the one aspect
that will be utilized is prayer. Prayer provides an intimate conversation with God and invites him
into the counseling session. This type of prayer also allows for the counselor to ask God for the
guidance to counsel the suffering client while also allowing God to prepare the clients heart for
the counseling session (Moitinoho &Hawkins, 2022).
Spiritual Formation
Thinking about all the different aspects that I have learned from Neff and McMinn, I
found that I have more motivation to work on my relationship with God. Learning about his
Love and Grace for everyone has really been a motivating factor for me. When seeing his
graciousness and his guide - the Bible (King James Bible, 1769/2017) - I find that I am looking
to God for more guidance on how I can become a Christ-like Christian Counselor. In my adult
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life, I have found it more difficult to sit down and do devotions because there is so much going
on that prevents me from having a moment to sit in the word of God. Not only has this reading
allowed me to reflect on my life but it has also allowed me to take a moment in the world while
learning about how I can incorporate these topics into the counseling relationship. In the
Considering Atonement chapter, I found that I was thinking about my atonement while thinking
about how I can utilize this idea of mending and repenting with God. With all this reflection it
makes me humble to realize that I have human limitations (Liberty University, n.d.). Psalm 90
and Psalm 139 provide poems talking about human limitations (King James Bible, 1769/2017).
Thinking about this book and the chapter that talks about the mission of God, I find that I go
back to the sinful nature of humanity where humans think they can solve all problems
themselves. Throughout these chapters, I have been able to accept that I am unable to be taken
care of without God. I have accepted and utilized God’s guidance.
Throughout the readings and all available resources, I have found that I have been
emotionally impacted as I was questions religion when dealing with the traumatic event back in
2020. This event was caused by misinterpretations of different denominations of religion and
their impact on parenting styles. These chapters have given me radical inspiration and motivation
to get back into faith and my connection with God. I find that my heart is more open to hearing
the word and trusting in God.
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References
American Counseling Association. (2014). Code of ethics. 2014 ACA code of ethics. Retrieved
February 8, 2022, from https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/2014-code-
of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=2d58522c_4
Anderson, D. A. (2007). Gracism: The art of inclusion. InterVarsity Press.
Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical &
transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House. ISBN: 9780736943543.
Neff, M.A. & McMinn, M. (2020). McMinn, M. R. Embodying integration: A fresh look at
Christianity in the therapy room. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
King James Bible. (2017). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
(Original work published 1769)
Liberty University. (n.d.). Biblical worldview principles. History. Retrieved November 15, 2021,
from https://www.liberty.edu/arts-sciences/history/biblical-worldview-principles/.
Moitinoho, E. & Hawkins, R. (2022). Prayer for Psychological and Spiritual Health. Liberty
University. Retrieved February 10, 2022, from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/229518/pages/watch-prayer-for-psychological-and-
spiritual-health?module_item_id=21062331.
Tan, Siang-Yang. (2011). Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective. Baker
Academic.
