Running head: COMPARISON PAPER 1
Comparison Paper
Hurt People Hurt People, by Dr. Sandra D. Wilson
Liberty University
PACO-507 B01
Genevieve Hamer
June 15, 2020
COMPARISON PAPER 2
Summary
Dr. Sandra D. Wilson expounds on the premise that individuals whom have experienced
emotional pain are likely or have the potential to carry those hurts over and cause emotional damage to
others in her novel, Wilson provides her own counseling methodology in whichHurt People Hurt People.
individuals who are experiencing wounding by others may discover healing through trust in Jesus Christ.
According to Wilson, no living being is excluded from the possibility of being damaged, and likewise
hurting others. The primary point of this paper will be to explore Wilson's biblical counseling theory and
approach.
Primary Goal
The primary goal revealed in is to offer healing to Christians from Hurt People Hurt People
mental injuries, which happened from past encounters and to break the cycle of harming others, on
account of these encounters. Dr. Wilson discloses that the issues found with adult are a result of
immediate impressions of residual unresolved issues from youth. The doctor employs Christian
meditations and assets as the motivation for her psychology and counseling theory. In this way, it
becomes Dr. Wilson’s essential goal to help other people discover healing and set an expectation from the
authenticity of God who conquers hurt and shame (Wilson, 2001).
Development of Problems and Personal Need
What is unique to Dr. Wilson’s approach is that she understands that concerns of adulthood are
established in the youth related issues. Unfortunately, emotional conflicts from the past tend to cause
damage future relationships. Most broken and hurting people find it difficult to interact in any other way.
Therefore, the result is that they reflect their inner pain and suffering in their relationships (Wilson, 2001).
Events such as negative encounters in adolescence produce adults who unwittingly may carry over
emotional trauma and wound their children as a result. As a result of the harmful encounter, children will
attempt to cope with problems by believing certain fantasies such as the ability to control events and
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people, change circumstances by performing well enough, eliminate their own needs, deaden feelings, or
even take on new identities to maintain sanity (Wilson, 2001). Unfortunately, Dr. Wilson predicts that
individuals who were deceived for an extensive time may take that behavior and internalize it and find
themselves in a position where they have fallen prey to con artist like tendencies, due to these wrong
assumptions. Subsequently, as adults continue to trust these youthful actions, issues persist.
Biblical Integration
Dr. Wilson is a supporter of the integration the bible into psychological doctrine. The Bible
provides biblical reference pointing to God and ties together Wilson’s statements as she consolidates
mental ideas with scriptural standards. Wilson likewise defers to scripture in specific incidences to add
credibility to her arguments. Throughout her text, the authors pay homage to God as the creator of change
inside a man. In her prose, Dr. Wilson makes use of the Apostle Paul in order to provide an example of
riding all childish thoughts. The author furthermore recommends the truth of the bible being enacted in an
individual’s life as well. Despite the fact, proposing the first setting of Paul's words straightforwardly line
up with youth ways of dealing with stress goes too far, Wilson positively places a high need on scriptural
coordination.
Formula for Change
When an individual chooses to make a change or it is time to make a new choice, a formula for
change presents itself. In this moment, an alternative model of conduct or behavior may be required. As
part of the initial phase in Wilson's model of a demonstration for change, the need originates from
distinguishing the injuries, which are profoundly impacting a life. Next, one is purposely choosing to
make a life changing decision. Finally, the last step is trading a wrong childish perspective of God with a
scripturally right view. In Wilson’s model, she believes the Jesus Christ is enough and the ultimate healer
for those in pain. Jeremiah 30:17 says, “I will give you back your health and heal your wounds, says the
lord.” (NLT) Wilson's process of change and model of healing is portrayed as a long-haul movement
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through an individual’s life. Ultimately, the counselee must sow seeds by renewing the mind on God’s
truth (Liberty University, n.d.).
Balance of Theology and Spirituality
The root of Dr. Wilson’s approach to theology is based in Spirituality. Dr. Wilson takes her
readers on a journey which involves the Bible being employed as it ought to be in efforts to help
counselees find their value in Christ. Based on this theological bedrock, Wilson (2001) concludes that no
one can be “worth less” than any other person, and no one can be perfect (p. 16-17). In Wilson's opinion
counseling theology, religious philosophy must be hermeneutically stable, however solid theology does
not kill the truth of spiritual experience. In conclusion, God will always be experienced in the lives of
people.
Human Personality
Wilson invokes the fact that human identity is produced by one’s personal encounters and
experiences as part of one’s past and present day by day lives. The advancement of human identity is
credited to outside impacts for that particular individual. In addition, she finds people are the picture
bearers of God, who encounter enthusiastic and carnal affliction.
Counselor’s Function and Role
It is Sandra Wilson’s point of view that the way to aiding a counselee change can be found in a
comprehension of truth and relinquishing doubts, which is a critical advance in the restorative procedure.
It is in this manner, that the capacity of the advisor is to give scriptural truth to the counselee as set forth
in her theory and to move the counselee through the healing process. In her model, Wilson believes the
counselor should introduce a sheltered and open condition in such a manner that will all together help the
counselee in distinguishing their issues and discovering inspiration for change. The goal is to move the
counselee towards waking and consistently practicing new choices produces change (Wilson, 2001).
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Major Contribution to Counseling
In her efforts to contribute to biblical counseling, Dr. Sandra Wilson has created six books on
different subjects with an emphasis on the family treatments. Along with her literary contributions to
counseling, Wilson serves as an assistant educator at philosophical schools and gives guidance on
Christian counseling. Wilson has made a few contributions to the biblical counseling field with respect to
the points of disgrace, youth issues, and substance misuse.
Limitations of this Counseling Theory
As is relates to the limitations of the theory presented by Dr. Wilson, there are restrictions which
have been identified within the model. Wilson’s method to present scripture recognizes the Holy Spirit’s
role in the change and mending process is tainted with mixing in with human intervention. While she
acknowledges the existence of the Holy Spirit, she downplays the actual role that the Holy Spirit's
dynamic work takes in a Christian’s existence with the expansion of human exertion.
One will find that throughout , Dr. Wilson set forth the requirement for Hurt People Hurt People
the counselee to comprehend truth. This requirement of looking for truth by the counselee is a job
satisfied by the Holy Spirit. John 16:13 says, “When the spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all
the truth, for he will no speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will
declare to you the things that are to come.” (ESV) The Holy Spirit is the guide to both the understanding
of scripture and revealing the truth of the heart.
Classification
The work of Dr. Wilson and her theory has been categorized in the sector of Christian
Psychology. In the journal, Greggo and Sisemore (2012) described Christian psychology as a biblically
rooted practice, which understands a person’s nature and their psychological functioning. In accordance
with these guidelines, Wilson's method is additionally combined, because it blends both mental and
scriptural goals into one directing model.
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Practical Application
There is a practical application for the model presented by Dr. Sandra Wilson when it comes to
biblical counseling in working with people who have suffered abuse. This line of counseling finds a
practical place for one to be able to turn the counselee towards the need for a change and assist them to
look beyond and past hurts and find a source of hope in Christ. Our job as a pastoral counselor is to
correct the distortion by learning the truth about God (Wilson, 2001). Emotional abuse is any nonphysical
behavior or attitude that controls, intimidates, subjugates, demeans, punishes or isolates another person by
using degradation, humiliation or fear. (Engel, B. 2002, pp. 10-11.). Nowhere in scripture does God
sanction any kind of abuse. In 1 Corinthians 13, God tells us what love is and what it is not. “It is not
rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs‚ It always protects‚” (vs.
4-7 NIV). Christian counselors also cite Proverbs 19:19 (“A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty; if
you rescue him, you will have to do it again.”) and Malachi 2:16 (“I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of
Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD
Almighty. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith.).
Brief Example of Impact to a Counseling Moment
One example of how Dr. Wilson’s model of counseling may have an impact might be in an
instance when a counselor is attempting to help a counselee overcome sexual abuse from adolescence. It
has been shown that in Dr. Wilson’s moved harmed individuals will utilize outrage to conceal their blame
and sadness from a past episode. By providing aide to the counselee and helping them to comprehend
reality of their blame or melancholy it may will help them recognize the issue and give and opening to
the following stage of applying scriptural truth in their lives. As part of the model, Wilson points out that
understanding the conduct does not make it suitable, but rather provides a way to follow back the
wellspring of this enthusiastic torment the counselee is experiencing.
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References
Liberty University (Producer). Presentation: Healing relationships [Video]. Available from
http://www.apple.com/itunes/download.
Engel, B., (2002) The Emotionally Abusive Relationship‚ How to Stop Being Abused and How to Stop
Abusing, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Greggo, S. P., & Sisemore, T. A. (2012). Counseling and Christianity: Five approaches. Downers Grove,
Illinois: IVP Academic.
Wilson, S. D. (2001). Hurt people hurt people: Hope and healing for yourself and your relationships.
Grand Rapids: Discovery House.
