After reading Garzon’s article, Christian Spirituality is defined, to develop
and grow a personal close relationship with Jesus Christ through the
relationship one continues to transform their values, beliefs, sense of
purpose and lifestyle. Watts article states that there are numerous
definitions of the term spirituality and that they are often diverse and
conflicting. It was good to read that no longer is spirituality neglected as a
legitimate domain of client inquiry in professional counseling. Garzon feels
that to legitimately contrast the strong religious feeling of the public and
mental health professionals there is a need of a clear definition. He also
expresses the importance of understanding the ethical and empirical
support of inclusion of Christian Spirituality.
According to Watts many conservative Christian perspectives on
spirituality are hesitant to see secular therapists. They are concerned that
secular therapists will not appreciate or consider their faith, neglect
religious concerns, and presume that they share non-religious cultural
norms. The teachings of the Bible are foundational in Christian spirituality.
Christian Spirituality and Individual Psychology are similar that they both
are relational. Individual Psychology is relational psychology and Christian
spirituality is a relational spirituality. I believe that integrating spirituality
in counseling is greatly beneficial to Christian’s clients. It allows the client
to feel that their beliefs systems are being taken into consideration. Both
address the importance of monitoring thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions
and both highlight the importance to make cognitive and behaviors
change. Also, it is important to use techniques that are consistent with the
client’s belief system.
,,,,,,,,,,, I believe that a secular therapists could give thoughtful attention
and respect a Christian client’s faith and beliefs. If the therapists are
themselves a Christian it makes the understanding of the client’s beliefs
easier. Secular therapies such as Adlerian and Individual Psychology have
been more open in regards to religious and spiritual issues. This is a
pleasant change because historically most systems of psychology have
had a neutral or negative positions towards spirituality.
,,,,,,,,,,, The limitations to a secular therapist helping a Christian, who
desires faith-based type counseling is how deep the therapist would be
able to go in the faith. Will the therapists be able to counsel using the
Word of God? The secular therapist may not be able to demonstrate the
love of God to the counselor. This may not result in the therapist not being
able to lead people to Christ and unable to nurture a relationship with
God.
References
Garzon, Fernando L., "Spirituality in Counseling" (2011). Faculty
Publications and
,,,,,,,,,,, Presentations. 62.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ccfs_fac_pubs/62
Watts, Richard. (2000). Biblically-based Christian spirituality and Adlerian
therapy. Journal of ,,,,,,
,,,,,,,,,,, Individual Psychology. 56. 316-328.
