lOMoARcPSD|21919833
COUN 506 Weeks 7 8 Notes
Integration of Spiritualty and Counseling (Liberty
University)
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
COUN-506
Weeks 7-8 Notes
I. Christian counseling
A. Unique to Christian Counseling
1. Sin
2. Redemption
3. Confession
II. Integrative Concepts: Language of…
A. Psychology: sickness, external attribution
B. Christian Spirituality: sin, internal attribution
C. Theology: evil, cosmic attribution
III. Sin: Psychology
A. External Attribution
1. Unhealthy guilt dynamics
2. Right/Wrong acts of individual perception
3. Goal: minimize sensitivity to sin
IV. Sin: Theology
A. Internal Attribution
B. Universal human condition
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
C. Personal sin is cause of cognitive/emotional problems
D. Right/Wrong are matter of God's law
E. Goal: heighten sensitivity to sin
V. Sin: Personal
A. Sin is CHOICE
1. inner REBELLION towards God
2. NUMBNESS or INSENSITIVITY to God in our life
3. APPROPRIATE GUILT
4. DECEPTION
5. BONDAGES
6. LOVELESSNESS and PRAYERLESSNESS
VI. Sin: Attributional Style
A. EXTERNAL: psychology, little freedom, victim, sympathy, others
B. INTERNAL: spirituality, freedom to choose, personal responsible,
anger/guilt, self
C. COSMIC: theology, free to choose/slave to sin, dependent to
God, conviction/forgiveness, falleness
VII. Sin: Dynamics (McMinn MAP)
A. Who does the client believe is responsible for problems?
B. Attributional Style: internal, external, cosmic?
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
C. Moral Development: sense of right and wrong
- Theistic vs Humanistic Values: God or self?
- Shame/Denial Dynamics: responsibility or blaming
- Bondage/Addictions: self-control or out-of-control?
VIII. Confrontation: Holy Spirit
A. We deal with the person, God deals with the sin
- Conviction, contrition, repentance are gifts of God
- Healing begins with admission of powerlessness
- Redemption/Reconciliation (1 John 1:9)
IX. Confrontation: Therapeutic Relationship
A. Hospitality:
- Willingness to take a risk for redemption
- Receiving & Confrontation work together
B. Prayer is essential
- Welcoming sinners is life changing
X. Confrontation: How to
A. Silence: body language, avoid giving approval
B. Pondering: help client understand by wondering out loud
C. Questioning: giving client ownership of decisions
D. Direct Censure: may pose risk, but provide quick change
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
E. Acherit: visualize with end in mind
F. Prayer: support client
XI. Confrontation: Ethical Concerns
A. Do No Harm: Is it in their best interest?
B. Counselor Self-Awareness: personal motivation?
C. Power Dynamics: am I creating dependency or imposing my will?
D. Redemption: restoring their relationship with God?
XII. Confession: Types & Dynamics
- Positive Confession
- Restorative
- Self-Examination
- Comfort-Seeking
- Denial
XIII. Confession: Resistances
A. Arrogant Refusal
B. Spiritual Pride
C. Self-Deception
D. Shame -Based Fear
E. Fear of Embarrassment
F. Faulty Understanding
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
G. Graceless Community Experiences
XIV. Ethics: Practices & Precautions
A. Professional Disclosure & Informed Consent
- Ethical Standards
- Confidentiality Policies and Practices
- Counselor Self-Care and Spiritual Formation
XV. Ethics: Informed Consent
A. Training and license
B. Limits to time and number of sessions
C. Kinds and depth of problems will counsel
D. Referral policy
E. Confidentiality policy
F. Client's right to refuse and to their records
G. Worldview description
H. Client expectations: attendance, homework, fees
XVI. Ethics: Standards of Practice
A. Hedges against inappropriate behavior/accusations
B. Standards of objectivity and handling of secrets in family counseling.
C. Clear rationale for handling conflicts of moral values
D. Rationale for how and when to employ spiritual interventions
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
XVII. Ethics: Decision-Making
A. Do no harm
- Who is the client?
- Best interest of the client?
- Risks or dangers?
- Keeping with Christian morals/values
- Keeping with professional standards
- Ask yourself: How am I feeling? (Crabb)
- Pray regularly for guidance
XVIII. Ethics: Confidentiality Concerns
A. Informed consent
- therapeutic contract
- Secrecy vs Privacy
- Triangulations & Collusion Traps
XIX. Ethics: Legal Pitfalls
A. Counseling beyond competency
B. Advice against medical treatment
- Sexual involvement
- Inappropriate us of psychological tests
- Improper care of records
lOMoARcPSD|21919833
- Failure to recognize danger or violence
- Misdiagnosing psychotics as demon-possesed
- Misrepresenting credentials
- Recommending for or against divorce
- Confidentiality violations
- Labeling all problems as strictly Spiritual
XX. Ethics: Self-Care & Spiritual Formation
A. Receive counseling through supervision, accountability partners, or actual
therapy.
- Be intentional about prayer
- Join support group for counselors in area
- Keep clients in prayer
- Continuing education
- Be aware of compassion fatigue
- Wellness practices, rest, exercise, nutrition, recreation
