Defined and Contrasted
Spirituality provides individuals a sense of purpose, set of beliefs, and guiding lifestyle
principles through an intimate, transforming relationship with Christ in a faith community
(Garzon, 2011). A never-changing God provides a secure, stable base. Post-modern
spirituality recognizes changes, does not strive for absolute truth, and emphasizes the
individual’s role in constructing their own truths (Matise et al., 2018). This is a shifting
foundation. Scripture warns about two types of foundations for life (New International
Version (NIV), 2011, Matthew 7:24-25). This difference in spirituality definitions can be
troublesome in counseling.
Secular Therapy-Christian Client Effectiveness
Garzon (2011) shares that less than half of counselors declare themselves as Christian, just
over a third represent a variety of faiths, and the rest being a mixture of agnostics, atheists,
or no faith connection. Research has supported the intertwining spirituality and
psychotherapy for positive client outcomes. Counseling effectiveness can be improved
through additional training in spiritual formation, biblical practices, and Christian
spirituality. Seeking guidance from clergy concerning a client’s faith will enhance counselor
effectiveness (Garzon, 2011).
However, Adlerian therapy has several commonalities with Scripture-based spirituality
(Watts, 2000). Both perspectives understand the elements of thoughts, feelings, and
behaviors in relationship to human functioning. Adlerian counselors operate from four
phases of relationship, replacing growth-inhibiting with growth-enhancing beliefs,
encouragement practices promoting respect and acceptance, and using individualized
techniques enhancing goal attainment (Watts, 2000). These phases align with biblical
principle of transformation with respect to relationship (individual and communal), self-
awareness, repentance, and spiritual growth.
Secular Therapist-Christian Client Alliance
Baker (2018) shares that most people seek help in a crisis resulting in growth. Growth
being the primary goal. The therapeutic alliance is foundational to effective counseling. The
counselor needs to share hospitality or be “inviting” towards the client. The counselor uses
the skills of empathy, care, warmth, and love for the counselee through active listening and
attending skills (Baker, 2018). A relationship demonstrating God’s character of love to the
client is the most important factor of counseling. The Adlerian counselor build a better
alliance by sharing the connections between the Bible and their approach to enhance client
trust.
Secular Therapy Limitations
A counselor who directly challenges the client’s foundational belief instead of guiding their
discovery of inconsistencies with their beliefs would be limiting. A secular counselor
limited in their awareness and knowledge of theology, spirituality, Scriptural principles, and
biblical practices may create a divide instead of a bridge in therapy. The agnostic, atheistic,
and no faith counselors may not be able to counsel a Christian client due to lack of
understanding the client’s systems orientation. If these therapists make clear their lack of
spiritual viewpoints, Christian clients would not be embracing their counseling couch.
References
Baker, J. (2018). Watch: Spirituality in Counseling. PACO 507 (LUO) Week Six Lecture
One. https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/117942/pages/watch-spirituality-in-
counseling?module_item_id=17061620.
Garzon, F. L. (2011). Spirituality in counseling. Faculty Publications and Presentations.
62. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ccfs_fac_pubs/62/ Links to an external
site..
Matise, M., Ratcliff, J., & Mosci, F. (2018). A working model for the integration of
spirituality in counseling. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 20(1), 27-50.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2017.1326091 Links to an external site..
New International Version (NIV) Bible. (2011). Zondervan.
Watts, Richard. (2000). Biblically-based Christian spirituality and Adlerian therapy. Journal
of Individual Psychology. 56. 316-328.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265161440_Biblically-
based_Christian_spirituality_and_Adlerian_therapy
