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Part A Final Neff and Mc Minn Review
Assignment
Integration of Spiritualty and Counseling (Liberty University)
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Paper: Neff and McMinn Review Assignment
Maame Afrifa
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
Maame Afrifa
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Maame Afrifa
Email: [email protected]
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Abstract
In this paper, I navigate the first three chapters of Embodying Integration: A Fresh Look at
Christianity in Therapy Room by the authors Megan Anna Neff and Mark R. McMinn. As I
explore each chapter in this book, I also integrate a summarization in order to convey the main
points in each chapter. Each chapter allows the reader to view how the counseling session may
shift when theological perspectives are integrated. The very first chapter embodies the idea
lament and grief and provides a definition to convey the difference between both terms.
Essentially lament is the expression of pain or suffering in the form of a sound and how another
person who listens to this lament receives this form of expression. The second chapter explores
the ideals of the book of Ecclesiastes and living with uncertainty in the counseling setting. The
third chapter explores the image of God. In this paper I also navigate my personal views of each
chapter, convey my personal experiences, along with how this reading has shaped my spiritual
journey.
Keywords: lament, grief, image, counseling
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Paper: Neff and McMinn Review Assignment Part
A. Summary of Chapters 1 to 3
In the very first Chapter of Embodying Integration: A Fresh Look at Christianity in the
Therapy Room, the authors convey the differentiation between the terms lament and grief (Neff
& McMinn, 2020). In addition, they also convey how these terms are in relation to the counselor
and the client in a counseling setting along with a Christian perspective. The author Megan Neff
depicts to the reader her experience with having a miscarriage. It takes a commendable and
strong individual to express to others of this experience. The author Neff proceeds to explain
what this experience meant to her and how she differentiates lament and grief as two separate
terms. Lament is conveyed as a form of expression in regard to suffering and pain (Neff &
McMinn, 2020). Lament is actively putting a sound in connection with the pain or suffering.
According to Neff and McMinn (2020), “Lament expresses resistance for the way things
are, and calls for the other to be moved in sorrow and act to make things better” (p.29). Lastly,
lament allows an individual to place their own trust in the other individual who is feeling and
receiving these vocalizations. Sometimes individuals who identify with the Christian religion, do
not realize that their own prayers can be a form of lament towards the Lord. Individuals can
place their laments to the Lord and trust that the heavenly father will hear us and deliver us from
our suffering. The authors proceed to express to the reader that lament can exist in many
settings.
This can be in a church, a hospital, or even in a counseling setting. Essentially, as a future
counselor I will be exposed to many forms of lament through the encounter with a client.
Psychotherapists will become a witness to clients with their own forms of pain, suffering or
difficulty (Neff and McMinn, 2020). This can take place in an individual client setting or a group
setting. Mark McMinn also depicts to the reader his experiences with lament and becoming a
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witness to his patient’s pain through the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy. In addition,
describes how imperative is to create a healthy lament setting as a professional psychotherapist.
The author McMinn provides two approaches to his sessions, which incorporates changes
in irrational thoughts or maladaptive behavior and recognition of positive behavior and hope.
The author McMinn also conveys to the reader to refrain from imposing their religious faith onto
their clients, however, if the clients share the same beliefs, then integration of spiritual beliefs
may help the client to practice lament into their sessions (Neff & McMinn, 2020). Furthermore,
the author expresses the importance of transferring the counseling setting into a place of lament
of hopefulness. It also imperative to welcome full lengths of emotion in the counseling process,
welcome whole selves into the session, turning away from human experience and turning
towards it (Neff and McMinn, 2020). If the client practices lament into psychotherapy, then it is
possible to obtain therapeutic healing.
In the second chapter, the authors explore the idea of growing up in a world or society
that has uncertainty and lacks a sense of stability (Neff and McMinn, 2020). In this world,
individuals are constantly exposed to tragedies, natural disasters, and political tragedies that can
be seen on a smartphone with just a simple tap. According to Neff and McMinn (2020) “Global
destabilization is with us in the therapy room” (p.71). As psychotherapists or mental health
counselors it is now our duty to help clients work through destabilization and tragedies. In
addition, it is imperative to help clients work through tragedies, because their own faith may be
questioned or tested.
To live in a world full of uncertainty is difficult for the psychotherapist and client
because it affects everyone. The authors proceeded to implement the findings of Ecclesiastes to
gain a new perspective on a world full of uncertainty. Book of Ecclesiastes taught the authors to
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maintain their faith during a time of dismay. Ecclesiastes integrates the idea of disillusionment,
uncertainty, and lack of stability (Neff & McMinn, 2020). The second chapter also contains
implications for the psychotherapy and counseling process. The use of empathy in the counseling
field, is seen as therapeutic method to helps clients who experience symptoms of lament, grief,
depression, or anxiety.
The third chapter of this book dives deep to explore the concept of the image of God.
The authors explore if their views of the heavenly father have a deeper connection to their
current psychotherapy or counseling work? The authors implement stories of creation that
originate in the ancient Near Eastern cultures and their image of God. Their culture conveys that
there are two types of gods, higher gods and lesser or worker gods. The lesser gods work to
support the higher gods with their needs (Neff and McMinn, 2020).
In this culture, the humans were created to live for the gods and to serve them. On
the other hand, the Hebrew culture conveys that human were created from life and not death.
Humans were not created because they were needed, however, they were created from the
goodness of the heavenly father. The authors proceed to explain that it is unlikely for a client to
explore the meaning of creation in God’s image. However, it is more probable for a client to
explore their own personal view of God rather than God’s influence in their personal life or
social relationships (Neff and McMinn, 2020). It is imperative to understand the theology view
of God, but it also important to identify the psychological view of the image of God. The author
proceeds to integrate four view of imago Dei otherwise known as the image of God. These four
views include: functional, which is the image of God through human functionality, substantive,
which is the idea that humans can share certain traits with God, relational, which explores the
relationship with God connects to the image, and emerging views, which is the idea that the
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image of God is still progressing and evolving at this time (Neff and McMinn, 2020).
Reflection
Handling grief in your personal life
To experience symptoms of grief, depression or lament is a normal component of a
individual's lifetime. I agree with the authors to implicate the practice act of lament for the
client’s therapeutic journey. Lament allows an individual to correlate their pain to an active
vocalization (Neff and McMinn, 2020). Lament may come in the form of cry or some form of
sound. In addition, forms of lament may appear differently in each client for reasons such as
past experiences or the cultural background. Learning to integrate the use of lament can result in
beneficial results for a client. My only concern or limitation in regard to the use of lament into
the counseling setting is the timing of lament. When is it appropriate to integrate lament into the
counseling session? Will the client become accepting of the idea of lament? As individual who
grew in a west-African culture and a Christian household, I agree with the use of lament.
Implications for Counseling
According to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014), section
A.4.b states “Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants and
seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially
when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory in
nature” (ACA, 2014). As a future counselor it is imperative that I provide counseling services
to clients in a ethical and respectful manner. Before implication of lament, it is crucial to ensure
that the client is informed of the meaning of lament and possible benefits or risks that coincide
with the term. Clients seek counseling services to relieve the suffering in their personal life or
may come for other presenting problems (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015). Clients may need a
relational bond
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to help with their healing journey (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015).
I can personally understand chapter one and how it relates to my personal experiences
with lament. My first experience with lament occurred quite suddenly and was brief. Growing up
as a child, I lived with both my parents, younger brother, maternal grandmother, and my paternal
cousin. At the time, I had many father-figure influences in my life. This included my close
uncles and my paternal cousin. I did not ever view my cousin as a random relative; however, he
was like an older brother who helped to raise me as the adult I am in the present. After some
time when my cousin was of age and attained financial stability, he moved out on his own, to
begin his next chapter in life. Unfortunately, at the age of eighteen, I heard of his sudden passing
and immediately was left in a dark period of my life. That was my first discovery of lament. My
version of lament was projected as sudden cries, heavy amounts of tears, screaming out of
agony, and silent prayers. Presently, at the age of twenty-three I now understanding that during
my mourning period for my dear close cousin, the use of lament was heavily needed and had a
positive influence in my therapeutic and spiritual journey. Personally, if the use of lament was
not incorporated, then I would have lacked the chance to heal properly. Lament comes in various
forms.
Importance of Empathy
In chapter two, I can agree with the authors on the fact that the book of Ecclesiastes
incites the idea of proper and beneficial conversation in a counseling setting (Neff & McMinn,
2020). I also agree that the concept of empathy can be used as a therapeutic tool for clients in
counseling. Empathy can help clients that struggle with the concept of uncertainty. The only
limitation I have for the use of empathy or concepts from the book of Ecclesiastes, is to always
have the client’s best interest. To have the ability to recognize when it is appropriate to integrate
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these methods are imperative.
Image of God and Theological Questions
Chapter three dives into the idea of the client’s view of God and how that might affect
their personal relationships and their counseling sessions. Humans create their view of God from
their own perspective and God created humans in his divine image (Neff and McMinn, 2020).
The authors also express the importance of integrating theological and psychological
perspectives into the counseling settings. The author David N. Entwistle provides a framework
to convey the six models that depicts the relationship between theology and psychology
(Entwistle, 2015). Entwistle conveys that use of theological methods alone may not be enough
to help clients in counseling (Entwistle, 2020). I agree with the authors Neff, McMinn, and
Entwistle, that the implementation of psychological methods and theological views may help
clients who identify with the Christian faith.
Spiritual Formation
Upon reading the three chapters, I felt a major yet beneficial impact on my spiritual
health. As I was reading, I began to ask myself how the concepts of lament or grief, uncertainty,
and my personal image of God has affected me spiritually. Integration of lament and grief has
taught me to learn a newfound patience with myself and God. After the loss of my dear close
cousin, I felt that the relationship I had with God began wither away. This was due to my lack of
faith in the heavenly father. I felt an increase of anxiety and depression at the age of eighteen. In
addition, a sense of loneliness settle in. After many days of crying, I began to pray night after
night. Many of prayers were silent and some were vocalized at loud. At the age of twenty,
something clicked within my spiritual health. I had not realized the immense effect that lament
had on life. The act of vocalizing my pain to friends, family, and through prayer to God I began
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to find healing and developed a deeper relationship to God. Application of lament and grief in
my life also coincided with the world of uncertainty I currently live in. To be a graduate student
living in global pandemic with the uncertainty of what tomorrow may bring, is a lot to take in.
As a future counselor it will be my job and duty to help clients who constantly battle with the
repercussions of uncertainty and to find a sense of healing and hope. These chapters helped me
realize the importance of finding proper implications to help clients in a counseling setting.
Clients from all sorts of backgrounds may identify with theological views or psychological
views or both. Matthew 4:16 states (NIV) “the people living in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow death a light has dawned” (biblegateway). I chose this
bible verse to also express the importance of becoming a light to others especially our future
clients in need of help.
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References
American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics.
https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction
to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration (3rd ed.).
Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN: 9781498223485.
Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical &
transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House. ISBN: 9780736943543.
Matthew 4:16. BibleGateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?
search=matthew+4%3A16&version=NIV
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.
