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BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
Book Review: The New Christian Counselor
Ronald Shrewsbury
School of Psychology, Liberty University
Author Note
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to
Ronald Shrewsbury
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BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
Book Review: The New Christian Counselor
Summary
“The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical and Transformational Approach” is a
book by Ron Hawkins and Tim Clinton that covers how Counselors who use Christianity can face
challenges when compared to counselors who only use traditional ways. These types of counseling
are similar Biblical understanding is integrated into the Christian Counseling while still using
psychological knowledge and understanding (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). This is shown by the
counselor showing good faith and trust in God and using that in their profession of counseling
others.
Christian counselors must be good role models to have a positive effect on clients is the
first key point that will be discussed (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). As a counselor there must proof
in our lives if we are sharing the word of God with clients. The way of doing so is by getting
knowledge and understanding form the Bible and applying it into our lives (Hawkins & Clinton,
2015). To help people open to the thought of accepting God and letting him help guide their life
there must be visual that he is guiding the counselor’s life.
The next key point of this study that is important is that to find calmness in life does require
having one’s life together (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). Sin is everyone lives and there is no way of
getting rid of it. All of us come short of the glory of God, but through him we can find peace in our
lives (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). Not being one with God and accepting that we all fail from time
to time. This is where these feeling of anxiety and depression come from (Hawkins & Clinton,
2015). When God can be put in control and people put faith in him this can help and take way
these feelings from people.
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BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
A third key point is understanding that God is in charge and has power over us (Hawkins &
Clinton, 2015). There will be a free a feeling when we turn over all our issues and problems in this
world to God. God can take these off our shoulders and will tell us he is in control (Hawkins &
Clinton, 2015). This goes back to the counselor must show these teachings and understandings in
their lives for others to want to follow. We must not push our faith onto others we must show them
and let them see it (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
There must be a line where traditional methods and spirituality are used to support each
other (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). As counselors there is a way to teach biblical truths and
traditional psychological methods so that they have an even integration of both. Within The New
Christian Counselor Hawkins and Clinton discuss how counselors can change the way a person
thinks and get rid of the bad thoughts they have (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). When getting rid of
these a person can replace them with what God says.
The fifth and one of the more important aspects of the book is the possession of the soul
(Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). This is allowing for a client to improve and raise their mental and
spiritual health (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). This can only be achieved by the counselor acting a
Christ like fashion and mirroring this to the client. There still must be the use of psychological
teaching this part should be added into teaching when using Christian Counseling. With ways of
using this the client must be encouraged to see counsel not just from the counselor, but other
Biblical teachings such as the Bible and the church.
Adaption is the next key point that is help solidify the teachings by Hawkins and Clinton in
their book. This is use for a counselor to find a path or way that fit the needs of the client (Hawkins
& Clinton, 2015). As a Christian Counselor the goal is to meet the client’s needs and there is no
cookie cutter way of doing this. There are many codes, trainings, and levels education that
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BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
counselors go through to keep them professional (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). While staying
professional in these understanding it is important to build a relationship with clients and to have
that trust.
The final point of this book that is building relationships and the power this can hold
(Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). People’s problems come from sin, and this is what creates these
situations in people’s lives (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). Many people will attempt to find
temporary fixes for their issues and not try to attack the main problem which is sin. The one way to
attack this problem and solve it is through God (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). This can be met by
building a fulfilling relationship with God and receiving his grace (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Analysis
There are many ways that counselors use a healthy mix of Christian based counseling
methods and psychological methods. As when using these together the goal is not for one to
overpower the other but help in ways that the other can’t. Hawkins and Clinton promote the use
Christian based Counseling in the book, but do not shy away from the use of other traditional
psychological methods (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). As these are important in a professional form
of counseling. Throughout the reading there are times where counselors are told to not overuse or
under use Biblical teachings towards the client (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). If it is overused a client
may feel like they are being forced into religion. With it being underused a client may not
understand the picture the counselor is trying to paint.
Hawkins and Clinton state that healing goes way beyond just a physical aspect and that
there is emotional and spiritual (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). Spiritual was a huge focus in this with
the illustration of Christian based counseling. The model that represents this is the Christ the
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BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
Transformer of Culture. This model uses modern counseling methods and biblical standards to help
clients overcome problems.
All counselors no matter if they practice traditional counseling or they practice Christian
Counseling they both are certified and trained (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). In the book Christian
base is the main point, but Clinton and Hawkins still share the importance of using psychological
based counseling as well. The purpose these two authors are trying to share is that there should be a
use of both, and that God’s grace can help heal people. Christian Counselors can help the same as
any other counselor (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Application
Depending on the route a counselor using Biblical understandings in counseling can be a
tool that can treat many different circumstances that may be seen. As counselors there can be a use
of psychological methods and Christian methods to approach issues and determine what is the best
route for the client. The example of a struggling marriage will be used in the application of Clinton
and Hawkins methods.
When working with a struggling marriage there a many areas and ways of gathering
information to determine options for the couple. The options many times boil down to taking
actions to work through the issues or unfortunately divorce. Issues that can cause this struggling
can be the loss of a child, financial struggles, and cheating. The main priority on the initial meeting
of clients is the determine the profile and priorities the individual/individuals have (Hawkins &
Clinton, 2015). After this is accomplished then a counselor can start to figure what methods and
Biblical integrations can be used. As with a struggling marriage God can work within these couples
and help them come together.
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BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR
When using Biblical integration in the counseling there should be a special message from
God that is given (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). These people should see that these messages are
working in the counselor’s life and that it has the potential to work in their life. When a couple is
struggling many times, they will look at them against each other. When the couple needs to look at
it as them against the problem.
