Running head: MCMINN BOOK REVIEW
McMinn Book Review
Stephen King
Liberty University
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MCMINN BOOK REVIEW
McMinn Book Review
Summary
Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark R. McMinn
presents a cohesive look at utilizing all three disciplines to counsel clients. He goes into a
detailed explanation of how a Christian counselor should approach their sessions by using
integration. He discusses the challenges a Christian counselor will face using it the
intradisciplinary model. These challenges associated with the model are moving from two
disciplines to three. The second challenge is internal that of blurred personal-professional
distinctions. Challenges three and four define training and the views of mental health overall in
the Christian counseling arena. The fifth and sixth challenges are referencing scientific base
integration which can help the last defining the ethical standards as they apply to his integration
model. He emphasized that being able to meet these challenges will require competence in
yourself and the three levels of integration as a whole. Integrating psychology, theology and
spirituality is the overall theme of chapters one and two. Providing an easy and simple
application of the intra-disciplinary integration of the use of scripture combined with counseling
techniques. The author emphasizes the importance of three areas of competence: psychology,
theology and spirituality. These three areas balanced together will provide the Christian
counselor with a tripod of knowledge to assist clients.
He states the purpose of this book simply as “my goal is to provide a practical resource
within the fields of counseling and psychology that is theologically and spiritually
responsible,”(McMinn, 2011). The overall layout and sequence of the book presents a reference
or guide for a Christian Counselor to refer to. One thing that he expressed is how counselors are
themselves confused about the practice of religion. The author states in the beginning of the book
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that “his primary purpose is to focus on the problems we will face in the counseling office,
(McMinn, 2011).
The author discusses the subject of psychological and spiritual health and the importance
of both. Throughout a counseling relationship he stresses the need for reassessment of the client,
the counselor and the purpose of the treatment. Goal setting and achieving the goal is crucial to
a successful Christian counselor and client relationship. Providing a map for spiritual health
which includes six major topics: Prayer, Scriptures, Sin, Confession, Forgiveness and
Redemption. Theses six major topics are essential to the process of integration and cover the
remaining chapters of the book. In looking at the subject of prayer the author asks the reader to
determine when and what type to use as well as for which clients. Prayer is key to one’s growth
but if a counselor chooses to use it in their sessions it cannot be taken lightly. “Prayer is more
than a counseling technique. It is the primary vehicle of growth in the spiritual life,” (McMinn,
2011). He also states that a counselor must also use prayer in their lives to establish a balance in
their personal and professional lives building a bond with the Holy Spirit. As Christian
counselors we must lead by example in a way to help those struggling.
Personal Reflection
One particular thing that resonated with me is the author’s open mindedness and
understanding that each client will need a different plan. The book from the first chapter to last
was a great tool for me that I will use for years to come. His unique perspective made it easy
understand the examples and assisted in the overall theme of the book. The self-awareness he
presented in presenting a balanced approach using the tripod of knowledge will be a part of my
practice. Clearly, demonstrating the importance of Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality and
the balance it will take to be able to assist clients was very enlightening. One topic I found to be
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speaking to me is prayer as mentioned above. His understanding and demonstrating that it is
necessary was portrayed very well. Knowing that the types of prayer are as important as when to
pray was something I never considered. His emphasis of being a good Christian counselor states
that one must have an established relationship with God. This relationship is solidified by prayer.
Having this understanding will allow me to provide an example for my clients to follow. I will
also provide them with a purpose to pray. Giving them motivation by learning from what I
learned. Lastly, showing them the way through God’s words with direction to a goal we both
will agree upon once with establish our relationship. “Prayer is a common human experience,”
(McMinn, 2011). The author however cautions the counselor in that prayer is a powerful tool it
can lead a counselor a stray and lead to abusive patterns. He provides examples to help illustrate
the point one being praying silently for a client is low risk consequently praying in the session
out loud is a higher risk. This clearly shows that self-awareness will be paramount when
deciding your prayer plan of action for clients.
Analysis
The most useful thing I found in this book was the topic of forgiveness. The author talks
about the duty of a Christian counselor equating this to a clinical technique for forgiveness. He
presents the opposition to the act of forgiveness giving insight to different opinions to the
effectiveness. Specifically, stating that some find the act of forgiveness to be detrimental to
clients. He counters this by saying, “ if this were true, counselors would not bring up
forgiveness, they would let their client morn, grieve, explore pain and eventually move on with
their lives,” (McMinn, 2011). He quantifies this by explaining the importance of our client’s
forgiving themselves to expedite their spiritual growth. Looking closer self-forgiveness is
something a client will have to discover through guidance. To be able to forgive oneself is not an
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easy task. The problem is can all be forgiven if a client has done something that in your opinion
can’t be forgiven. As a counselor will you truly do you best to provide the guidance to help them
be forgiven. Ethically standards the combination of morals and values I feel will be at times be
something I will struggle with. The struggle will be providing them the path and showing
empathy while ignoring judgement.
Application
In this book I found that McMinn’s understanding of balancing the use of psychology,
theology and spirituality very enlightening as a whole. The challenge he presents of “Moving
from Two Areas of Competence to Three,” (McMinn, 2011). “Though many counselors may be
well versed in theology and psychology, they may provide a disservice by leaving out the
importance of integrating spirituality in the process of emotion healing,” (McMinn, 2011). Too
often counselors have only one avenue of approach the fact that he provides the guidance to
integrate all three was very informative. As a human service counselor my goal is to provide the
best direction I can to assist my clients in their suffering.
My plan is to be assisting veterans in their struggles either in a group or individual
setting. I will in all likelihood be working in the secular counseling arena. I particular liked the
subject of forgiveness and redemption. Using McMinn’s, map for spiritual health and the six
major topics: Prayer, Scriptures, Sin, Confession, Forgiveness and Redemption, I hope to assist
my clients with a balance of all three areas of integration. Unfortunately, the sigma of receiving
help still exists in the military community. Hopefully, the fact that I can share experiences with
them and speak their language will be a bridge to helping those who are in pain. As I will
encounter those who witnessed or experienced a traumatic event the tools provided in this book
will be my path to helping them with their suffering. Relying on my training from resilience I
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will assist them in their self-awareness and assist them in their self-forgiveness. Conveying to
them that forgiveness as McMinn said does not equal denial. I will also that them know to
forgive is the path to redemption. This will provide them a path to the word of God. It would be
beneficial if the author addressed the issue of self-forgiveness and show the lack of studying of
this subject. Realizing that our clients will have self-imposed hurt and be able to assist them in
this intrapersonal forgiveness will build a connection to help with their underlying suffering.
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Reference
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (Rev. ed.).
Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.
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