Running head: INTEGRATION ESSAY
Unique Unified Degree
Eva Susan Johnson
Liberty University
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"Unique Unified Degree"
I have gained wisdom through my on and off-campus learning experience these
last four years. My focus or significant area of studies were geared toward religion and
elementary education. However, I decided to make a transition in my senior year. I was
introduced to the Liberty University Online. Interdisciplinary Studies degree. I received
academic advising to complete a degree completion plan which granted me the
opportunity to integrate three areas of study for the undergraduate Bachelor of Science
degree. The three disciplines or (fields of study) include Religion, Psychology, and
Christian Counseling. All of which when integrated, builds a career path from my
academic experiences with the significant cognate being Psychology and Christian
Counseling. The biblical studies I had already accumulated from the previous college
because I wanted to know more about the bible and how to teach and share it effectively
with others, I transferred 90% coarse credit to complete all Religion prerequisites along
with the majority of arts and Sciences. I am projected to graduate in May 2018. With
these three areas of research and education, my career path is compatible and
personalized. My top five themes according to my "Clifton-strengths insights" are "belief,
learner, relator, restorer and idealistic." Utilizing these strengths invites a wide range of
entry-level job opportunities that integrate discipline-specific areas of psychology,
Christian counseling, and Religion. (Clifton, D. O., Anderson, E. C., & Schreiner, L. A.
2006).
Psychology
I chose psychology to be a major area of study when creating a plan for my
interdisciplinary degree. I have taken so far General Psychology, which is the study of the
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basic principles, problems and methods that underlie the science of psychology. This
includes human development, emotions, motivation, learning, senses, feeling, thinking,
memory, intelligence, and processing, as defined by the Psychology Dictionary. I learned
that I have a natural desire to help people with troubles of the mind. The second course I
completed is Developmental Psychology. I learned about the biological, psychosocial,
and behavioral models for development over a lifespan from a fetal development through
old age. This Spring semester I will expand my focus in psychology more specific areas
such as Personality Psychology. "Personality Psychology is the study of the individual
differences in traits, motives, abilities, and life stories that make each individual unique"
[Rob06]. Also, for this Spring I will take Psychology of Adolescence, Healthy Sexuality,
and Behavior Modification are set for which completes my course requirements for the
field of psychology. I chose these classes not only because the studies integrate, but they
extend my desire to learn more about the development of the brain, human behaviors
mental health and psychosocial relations to the environment. One of the five themes from
strengths finder that will be helpful as I continue to complete my Interdisciplinary degree
is the learner theme. I desire to learn all the unique ways our minds and brains work so
that I may apply this discipline to my career path of helping people.
Christian
Counseling
Christian faith implies involvement of Christian Counselling which deals with
man spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Biblical Counselling - sometimes
used interchangeably with "Christian Counselling" is that "which flows from a Biblical
view of revelation, God, man, sin, and sanctification." Garner, Gary O. (2003).
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Intro to Christian Counseling deals with all the aspects of counseling from childhood
throughout adulthood. It opens up the door to all issues of advice from mental health,
addictions, learning disabilities, and much more. According to Carl Rogers, to enter the
realm of counseling therapy and adequately connect, there are three essential qualities of
character one should exude; "First, empathy is required for the therapist to understand the
client’s subjective phenomenological experience. Second, unconditional positive regard
helps to create a safe, warm, tolerant, and accepting environment in the treatment setting.
Third, congruence requires the therapist to remain genuine, open, and honest throughout
all therapeutic interactions" (Overholser, J., 2007 p.71). For my focus in Christian
counseling, I am learning presently about women and children. I gain so much wisdom
from course studies and research. I plan to find opportunities to help, using my talent in
the restorative theme which fundamentally adapts to dealing with problems. According to
Gallop results, "I am good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it." (Clifton,
2006). All the courses I am studying will accommodate each other when applied to
correlating research models. Each study prompts my mind to think creatively how to
integrate what I've learned, so they work together purposefully as God intended. Bill and
Kristi shared an example from "Soul Shepherding" website on healing prayer, which
explains Christian counselors implementing healing prayer models;
Typically, inner healing prayer integrated into conversation with a counselor or
other prayer minister who offers God’s compassion and the process is opening
your mind and heart to Jesus to allow him to enter the memory or hurt place to
minister his grace and truth. Many people experience significant breakthroughs
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into personal freedom or healing by connecting profoundly with Jesus through
this inner healing prayer. (Gaultiere, B.& K. 2017).
Religion
I chose the field of religion before any other of my disciplines. This area of study
goes well with my most dominant theme "Belief."(Clifton, 2006) I decided to continue
my education to lead biblical studies and teach the Bible. I achieved my adult education
Biblical studies and leadership requirements. When I transferred to LUO my degree
completion plan for my BS Interdisciplinary Degree allowed for the all my course credits
biblical .all Religion prerequisites along with the majority of arts and Sciences. Survey of
the Pentateuch: consist of the study of Old testament Genesis-Deuteronomy. Soteriology
is "The Doctrine of Salvation." "Survey of the Old and New Testament" I completed at
LUO during the summer. In the Survey of Romans, I wrote a complete outline, summary,
and reflection paper of the entire book of Romans. Christian Leadership and Ethics, I
learned about the aspects of administrative roles in leadership, the conflict and
resolutions, and the quality of ethics of both good and bad leadership in Christian
organizations. Principles of Conflict Resolution, an Introduction to Biblical Leadership
taught the insights on dealing with personalities, authority, and ways to work through
conflict by depicting personality types in a Christ-centered manner. This area of study
correlates with the psychological aspects of religion. Just like the Strengths finder
insights I am quite confident I took part in personality and strengths test during that time.
Interpreting Scripture 1 and 2, introduced me to more research than I had ever known.
The skills set in Eschatology, Bibliology, Ecclesiology Discipleship and Ministry,
Principles of Leadership, Intro to Teaching the Bible, Communication in Leadership are
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studies to integrate into a variety of areas such as communications learning to discern
social, mental, and behavioral personalities and characteristics for effective
communication when working in business, church leadership, or Christian organizations.
Overall religion is the foundation for the functionality of all three disciplines combined.
There is a psychology applies to almost every aspect of life that deals with the mind and
emotions. It takes getting the mind in line with the truth, and then counseling through
prayer and theology to learn, understand, and truly know how to help people.
The Trinity Metaphor
Encouraging those of the Father's design and Counsel them with Christ' caring
mind, relying on the Holy Spirit's might to retrain the damaged brain to know the way,
the truth, and the light. I want to use my broad range of knowledge obtained in all my
areas of study in theology, biblical, and leadership studies, that support my biblical
worldview. I have learned the way, the truth, and the light, from my relationship with God
the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. My career through the trinity for the
twenty-first century consists of several subjects from psychology that illuminate the
functions of the father's design of the brain. My area of study in Christian counseling
combined with the study of psychology and bible makes up the caring mind of Christ.
When the triune areas of research work together, they can help rehabilitate by integrating
truth to replace faulty reasoning that causes unbalanced feelings and fears that trigger
depression and other mental disorders.
Career Application
The areas of study I have chosen will apply to a career field in social, mental, and
behavioral health for either a Christian or secular career opportunity. With the research, I
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have done and jobs relating to my areas of study, I could work in a hospital, a
government agency, nonprofit counseling, and juvenile or mental health facilities. The
desire of my hearst is to apply for a job or internship to work in the field of counseling
psychology with a Christ-centered approach for behavioral therapies, and psychosocial
talk therapies. However, I am also interested in neuroscience, brain plasticity, and brain
integration, which deals with the practice of mindfulness. This knowledge I have gained
through biology and psychology of behavior modification offers opportunities to work in
the field of research to help for which I can see all areas of study working together by
sharing academic research for discovering more ways to improve or prevent learning
disabilities, fight mental illness.
The Clifton Strengths Insights states that I choose to live life in a way that
benefits individuals and society as a whole. I am highly motivated to make the
world a better place than I found it. My ideas and core values influence how I
spend my time and use my talents. I have a deep and abiding concern for others.
These are the characteristic of the "Belief Theme" which correlates with to my
selected area of studies and career path. Clifton, D. (2006). I desire to help people
find the joy and a sense of purpose for life.
Biblical Worldview
I believe the study of Trinitarianism was a class that taught me a deeper
understanding of the Trinity. This is helpful as I consider the implications of integration.
God in three entities. God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. I recall the
essay I wrote reflecting what I learned, and It became an asset, helpful in understanding
other religious beliefs giving me spiritual insights and a deeper connection to my Biblical
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worldview. The [BS-INDS] encourages me for the fact the knowledge will apply in each
field of study I will be able to carry out Gods will as it relates to my biblical worldview.
Making a difference in someone's life can happen by integrating religion into psychology,
and uniting both in the therapy models of Christian counseling. In other words, the
human mind, emotions, brain structure, and behaviors are the essentials that comprise all
the aspects of our worldview. The area of study that is of utmost importance is Religion.
Although my Psychology and Christian Counseling is the career path I am considering,
my heart and spirit are rooted in biblical studies and leadership. I have chosen to use all
three areas of study, that exemplifies not only the knowledge of scripture but also
incorporates the mind of Christ, and the leadership model of the Holy Spirit in me. For
this reason, my biblical worldview expands for knowing more about the social and
biological makeup of the brain. God has given me the tools for learning to develop my
mind through scripture, that in turn produces the fruit of the spirit. Furthermore, my
interdisciplinary studies degree granted by Gods provisions will allot me the wisdom
necessary to research and develop God-centered therapies, led by the Spirit of truth.
Because of the physical, environmental, and psychosocial influences around us the
human mind has limits. With my knowledge of the truth of Jesus Christ, I may very well
have many opportunities to introduce undiscovered spiritual insights of the mind and
teach biblical truths that have the potential to change the way the brain thinks from a
worldly perspective into a Godly perspective. I want to help take the proven models of
research into therapy that decides what the enemy of God meant for harm and turn it
around for the good of those who are lost in their thoughts and confused with what the
difference is between truth and lies.
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Conclusion
Overall, the degree plan I have chosen opens the door for a career where I am able
to integrate psychology, Christian counseling, and religious studies to help people. Given
the specific areas of my studies in theology, psychology, and Christian counseling, they
all have to do with humanity. The psycho-social, cognitive-behavior, human- personality,
cultural differences, and human-sexuality, all are part of Gods perfect design which all
originate with Gods purpose. As for the methods of counseling, psychology, and the
integration of religion or theology "should always be based on the thorough study and
interpretation of the Scriptures and the human condition, to equip us to apply truth"
(Gamer, G. O. 2003). My full knowledge and belief of the word of God is the ultimate
authority, and I also agree that "both psychology and theology disciplines retain their own
distinct identities and offer complete compatibility" (Gamer, G. O. 2003). The
value of my degree personally, is that part to which God will be able to use me for his
own unique purpose. God has carried me through difficultties that relate to my career
path. Both Spiritual and practical tools from my education has helped me to overcome
depression, conquer learning disabilities, manage rebellious teens, work with young
children and conquer more anxieties that would seem humanly possible. Psalm 73: 26
describes what I want to reflect in my chosen profession. "My flesh and my heart may
fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" New International
Version (NIV).
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*References
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(2006) Multimethod Measurement in Psychology American Psychological
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Clifton, D. O., Anderson, E. C., & Schreiner, L. A. (2006). Strengths Quest: Discover
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Gaultiere, Bill & Kristi (2017) "Soul Shepherding" website on healing prayer,
http://www.soulshepherding.org/
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