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The duo of these authors together as father daughter is the
perspective of interpreting critical theology, experiences and faith
contributions to the words written in Embodying Integration: A Fresh Look at
Christianity in the Therapy Room. The authors provide an understanding of
different methods created to be able to give the proper emotional
understanding. “The first three chapters go over being able to understand
hard times through lament, understanding uncertainty, meaning and
enjoyment, then chapter three going into the imagine of God,” (Neff &
McMinn, 2020).
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Summary
Chapter one and two are part of a category discussing difficult times in
life. Each of us face difficulties in life. It is not a “if it happens” statement, but
“when it happens” statement. Lament specifically is described as one who
turns over to another person. As Christians, this is what we are called to do.
We give God all our worries and troubles. Lament is expressed into four
steps; 1. This is the phase of suffering. 2. Crying out to others to
understanding the pain someone is going through. 3. Changing those actions
based on someone responding to the pain and outcry of your situation. 4.
The final step is developing within what each person needs to rise above
their situation. This is developed in a counseling session when lament is
being used to be able to help the client walk through and develop personally
through relatable experiences.
Experiencing and understanding the difference between lament and
grief is also important to be able to translate into a therapy session. “Lament
is relational. It’s taking our grief and pain and expressing it to one who will
listen,” (Neff & McMinn, 2020, pp. 28). Lament in a relationship within the
church can be a culture as well. Learning that the world gives us hard times
enough, making sure the perspective given from Christ to provide the
framework for lament (Neff & McMinn, 2020). Mark as a counselor changed
his approach of dysfunctional thoughts with a client to cognitive-behavioral
therapy. This third-wave approach is one that is support through the Christian
approach. The biggest change in using CBT is that instead of just labeling
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what caused pain, the client is going to walk through that pain and come out
ahead on the other side of that pain with a better understanding of
themselves as well as coping skills. Jeremiah experienced an intense about
of lament in his journey. “Jeremiah’s lament is the wrestling through of an
inescapable parados, but this wrestling ultimately births a greater hope and
even a celebration of God’s presence (Jer 20:11),” (Neff & McMinn, 2020,
pp.38).
Chapter two is about uncertainty, meaning and enjoyment in life is
understood and overcome by the clients individuals understanding and
perspective of the world around them. The question that client’s face is “How
are we to be, how are we to live in the face of uncertainty and chaos,” (Neff
& McMinn, 2020, pp. 69). This question being used in a therapy session was
applicable to each client with each different situation. What this provided
was also the understanding that a client was not alone, because “we” and
knowing that the counselor is acknowledging the burden of things not being
easy or making sense at times (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
The book of Ecclesiastes is just what this chapter is about. It is the
chapter of crises in the biblical stories. Understanding the back and forth of
the world and humanity may be the reason a lot of pastors avoid this book of
the Bible (Neff & McMinn, 2020). Ecclesiastes shows just how strange the
world around each person can be and can be relatable to others by multiple
individuals.
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In Ecclesiastes we see contradicting statements such as “everything is
meaningless,” which is then followed up by “eat, drink and be glad.” Each of
these show the contradicting understanding of what the world influences us,
verses what scripture tells each of us to hold tight to. This leads to
individuals questioning the mental state of the author or Ecclesiastes
because it was written with such contradictions (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
Chapter three is all about the image of God. Understanding and
implementing implicit and/or explicit is understood by four different reasons.
1. Using self-interpretation of God’s character and how that shapes us as
individuals. 2. Self-understanding by knowing the beliefs of knowing who God
is. 3. Having a relationship with God and interactions with Him. 4. This is
about both, personal perspective, and Truth of God (Neff & McMinn, 2020).
Reflection
New Ideas
Neff and McMinn brought up great points and interactions with real
scenarios into understanding. I know something I personally am going to
take with me is the quote spoken to a client, “How are we to be, how are we
to live in the face of uncertainty and chaos,” (Neff & McMinn, 2020, pp. 69).
This specific concept of being able to interject yourself into knowing they are
not alone; things are tough and that “we” will get through. This is implied all
while asking a question. Each counselor will have their own perspective and
understanding of their clients, but I personally believe nothing is more
powerful than someone willingly putting themselves in the same scenario
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with another person who is going through something hard. The other neat
perspective this quote provides is the mere fact that it works with any client
going through a hard time. It is not situational or specific sceneries. It can be
used with anyone going through a hard time.
Ethical Issues
One of the ethical issues that comes to mind as a potential risk would
be autonomy. When faith and beliefs are involved each counselor does not
want their own opinion or belief to be pushed onto a client, or pushed into
the “right” answer, because the “right” answer is truthfully when your client
is able to work through an issue and develop a clearer, healing perspective
of whatever the topic may be. Section A of ACA Code of Ethics is a full
understanding of what each professional counselor relationship with their
client should and should not include.
Spiritual Formation
I work at an acute behavioral hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In
my personal experience with patients in severe crises situations my heart
immediately always turns to scripture and much of these first 3 chapters of
this book as well. The mind is tricky and sometimes we are a victim of our
own mind. Seeing patients in the state of panic or manic because there is
chemically something wrong within is hard to not bring God into the
situation. In my personal understanding God is the only one, with the help of
medication that can provide the healing and wholeness each of these
patients need. It’s something almost unexplainable, other than the Holy
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Spirit, that when I engage with a patient that has evil spirits. I buckle down
and remember that speaking the name of Jesus is the safe word and power. I
rely on any and all teachings that my Biblical Degree as well as personal
experience provides. But then I remember, this person is also a child of God.
This person is the daughter or son of Christ. Though they may be rude or
even combative physically with me, their mind is altered, and they are a
child of God.
For patients that are more depressed and down vs. manic, I hold onto
the scripture Mathew 6:34, “Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will
worry about itself.” Focusing on now. Focusing on what you can control in this
moment. The simple choices of what to eat or drink. Not about the problems
that brought me here. I see this easily with a simple, question of an item of
clothing or a choice of this or that with patients. Giving them their “control”
of something when everything around them feels out of control.
Working where I do is hard at times, but remembering I am the light
because of Jesus in this space and this is when people are ready to “cry out”
and lament so having Christ accessible by His love being shown is key in
spreading the gospel.
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References
The English Standard Version Bible: Containing the Old and"New Testaments
with Apocrypha."(2009).HOxford University Press.
Neff, M. A., & McMinn, M. R. (2020). Embodying Integration: A fresh look at
Christianity in t he therapy room. IVP Academic, an imprint on InterVarsity
Press.
2014 Code of Ethics – American Counseling Association. (n.d.). Retrieved
November 14, 2021 from
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/
ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1
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