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Hawkins and Clinton: The New Christian Counselor
Summary
The New Christian Counselor: A fresh biblical & transformational approach, by
Hawkins and Clinton (2015) explain multiple important concepts for Chrisitan counseling and
integrative where it utilizes the available resources, practices that we use and theories. Hawkins
and Clinton (2015) offered insight about social, psychological, biological and spiritual healing
while using a holistic approach. The goal for the new Chrisitan counselor is to remain
professional and distinctively Christian while staying current on improvements in the counseling
field (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 6). This book is a great source for the counselors who wish to
integrate scriptures along with empirical discoveries. Below I will highlight eight of the concepts
that I feel are important topics throughout our text.
In Chapter 1, Possessing the Soul, builds onto the words that our Savior said to his
disciples. This was mentioned in our Bible’s in Luke 21:19 speaking on patience and standing
firm on faith (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). The message from Jesus was provided to cover
hardship and how it may not be an easy scape into an easy lifestyle. There is emphasis on
reasoning people should possess their soul and not be a part of worldly temptations. Dependence
on God is what causes us to have a deeper relationship with him. This is needed help us develop
positive spiritual growth (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Anthropology and Identity, defines the soul in a series of concentric circles which proves
that there is a very large variety of counselors available to assist those in need and also different
forms of healing treatments available. According to the book, this is what causes counselors to
believe that problems that others may be experiencing may be relational, spiritual and even
physically (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). The approach that the authors were going off of is called
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the holistic approach. With this approach, the counselors should be able to provide attention to
all three of the aspects that one may be going though, beginning with the soul in the spiritual
aspect, psychological and the physical. Hawkins & Clinton (2015) believe that each soul is made
up of all three of those aspects.
In the book, Addiction is the next concept that was important to me. According to our
text, addiction is loosely defined as an ongoing sin that has diminished the senses through the
tolerance and that is used to corrupt and deceive ones actions (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 141).
Many people like to say that addiction is caused by genetics or situations that the person as a
child was exposed to, but Christan counseling insists that addicts are responsible for their own
choices (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). Idolatry, is very similar to addiction due to it being anything
that one uses to take place of God in life as a replacement whether it is a person, thing or even a
habit that they have formed. Idols do not seem harmful to those that use them in place of our
God, especially in the beginning but they eventually become a sinful addiction that can be hard
to break away from.
The ultimate goal is for Christian counseling is to allow the clients to become more
devoted followers of Jesus Christ. This can be done by actually experiencing God’s purpose,
power and pardon (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).What is Christan Counseling, is another concept
that is used to define Christan forms of counseling. It can be completed by the counselor as they
take on the leadership role of showing the client how to process things through spiritual healing,
then spiritual maturity and onto the soul possession by developing a tight bond with Jesus.
Hawkins & Clinton (2015) also made sure to make it clear that the Holy Spirt offers us the breath
of God himself to assist those that are experiencing struggles within their lives and that Christ
provides us the grace, peace and forgiveness.
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Alignment and Atmosphere are certainly major concepts in the book that are important.
The atmosphere of a counseling session is very important. People tend to pick up on vibes and
“read the room” so due to this happening makes the atmosphere significant. Also, having the
Holy Spirit included in the atmosphere also is a plus so that it will be easier for God to speak
throughout the counseling session. It is suggested that the environment provides an emotional,
physical and spiritual healing so that the Prescence of God can be filled within the room of the
counseling session (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Attachment and Relationships go hand in hand. God should be included in any
relationship that we have in order for it to be successful. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) describe
relationships as the core concept of God and man’s interaction when it comes to healing our
souls. They also stated that when sin happens it causes a separation of man from the world and
also causes relationships to not last as due to the conflict in the relations. Relationships are
fundamental to all of humanity and it is a must that we have our savior included in them. This is
where we as human service counselors come in to assist. Without God in the midst of our
relationships, this is where attachment happens. Attachment can be very similar to idolatry. We
as humans, attend to become attached to one another and materialistic items. We are not to allow
those things we become attached to take the place of our God (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Analysis
In Module 2 lecture discussion, we viewed the “Comparing the 5 Views Christians Take
to Psychology” PowerPoint. The integration approach that I feel like Hawkins and Clinton use
throughout their book is “Christ the Transformer of Culture” model (Brewer & Peters, n.d.). This
model provides a better understanding of the nature of authority of Jesus and also gives a view
on his impact to culture. It also allows one to see that real change is actually possible to obtain.
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This model explains how the science studies and also the religious portion aligns with one
another and also how it is effective to use with our clients (Brewer & Peters, n.d.) It is also
believed that Gods truth is found in the Bible and that the science along with the union between
professional approaches and perspectives and worldview. Hawkins & Clinton (2015) consider
this type of alliance as an Interprofessional Collaboration. Hawkins & Clinton (2015) also
describe the need in staying current with the new discoveries by scientists due to them relating to
the physical healing. The belief in scientific discoveries assist the connection between the
physical body and philosophical therapeutic strategies. These strategies help with developing
models to be more successful in complete healing. The knowledge of the interactions between
the neurological, cognitive and physiological levels of a person can tell more about the behaviors
and the actual amount of motivation that they have to actually apply the biblical portion of the
healing process (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015).
Application
After carefully listening to my client and tell me about their issues and struggles that they
are facing in life, I will provide them with the proper concepts that I feel that will assist them and
their needs. The New Christan Counselor book mentioned many different practical views that
can easily have a long-lasting effect in the counseling setting, being either faith based or secular.
The role and purpose would be the first concept I would like to acknowledge from the book.
When clients reach out to seek help, they want to know that they are not going to be judged, can
be open and honest and feel free when releasing information that they may have been holding in.
So, I would first and foremost make sure that my client is comfortable in the setting that we are
in so that the honesty can flow easily, and I can provide them with the proper resources they may
need. We as Christian counselors, have a responsibility of guiding our clients to free their souls
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of sins and to fully experience God’s pardon and become one of his servants (Hawkins &
Clinton, 2015).
Another concept would be ethics. We as Christian counselors must be able to effectively
demonstrate our Christlike behaviors in our living, when we talk and in our actions. We must do
so by having grace and patience with our clients. No matter what the client is facing, I will live
by the code of ethics to properly serve them as needed. At no moment should my client feel as if
they are being judged when revealing information to me. I will assure them that our environment
is a safe space and that they can be their true self with no consequences to face.
Listening is another important to have with our clients. This concept actually can go hand
in hand with ethics. When clients reach out for assistance, they are already feeling on edge about
their decision and if they would like to go through with it or not. Hawkins & Clinton (2015)
mentioned that clients often feel dishonored because they may not be allotted the proper amount
of time needed to converse with the counselor and also the counselor may not be as attentive as
they would want them to be. Therefore, when my client is speaking, they will have my undivided
attention at all times. Our counseling sessions will be my time devoted to them and them only.
The concept of spiritual dimension allows us as Christian counselors he realize that we
are more than just a counselor. We were placed on Gods earth to not only serve him and do his
will but also to preform the work that he has laid out in front of us for his people. Hawkins &
Clinton (2015) reminds us that we should properly acknowledge the usefulness and authority that
we have in order to allow the Holy Spirit to complete healing in those who need it.
The last concept that is important to point our is the cognitive and physical dimensions. It
is our responsibility to assist the client in understanding that their feelings that are negative are
not their true feelings and that they wont last long. This is where as a Christan counselor, I would
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attempt to get the client to replace those evil thoughts with more positive thoughts and educate
them on how to properly live in their truth without evilness taking over. The cognitive and
physical dimensions dealing with the way one thinks and reacts is very important. I would
recommend any other resources to my client that I may notice that they need that I am unable to
provide to them. We would end our counseling session with a sincere prayer to God asking for
his assistance and strength to get through these tough times.
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References
Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (n.d.-d). HSCO 506 Week Two, Lecture Three: Models for
Interdisciplinary Integration. [PowerPoint]. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Online
Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical and
transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.
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