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Reply to 2 other classmates by offering 1 new piece of information to add to their discussion of the different disorders. C. Tyson

This week’s readings about human growth and development theories and a neuropsychological perspective on spiritual development was interesting and thought provoking.  2 Peter 1:5-7 tells us “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, …, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.” (New International Version) I feel developing a knowledge of human growth and spiritual development will enable us live out this verse and become more effective as human service professionals.

Two human growth and development theories that have been supported by research are Erikson’s personality theory and Piaget’s Cognitive developmental theory.  Freud’s personality theory continues to be examined and used with other theories, but research has not supported this theory (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Erikson’s personality theory explains eight psychosocial aspects of attitudes and feelings toward self and others (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).  Counselors like this theory because they feel that it focuses on the problems they are trying to help: feelings and attitudes about self and others (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).  Erikson’s ideas have led to numerous other behavioral studies by developmental researchers (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Piaget’s Cognitive developmental theory focuses on logical thinking where he assumed that a normal adult has the capacity to think logically.  Although, for children logical thought centers around four stages to begin with a sensory world as an infant to building knowledge as an adolescence (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Piaget’s theory fulfilled a need that explained complex qualitative changes in children’s abilities changes over time (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Professionals find this Piaget’s theory to be useful in identifying the ages children understand certain problems or social interactions (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Freud’s personality theory examines the complex functioning of the adult personality and details development throughout childhood (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).  Freud believed the adult personality functioned as three separate characteristics: id, ego, and superego (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Furthermore, Freud found that the conflicts with id, ego, and superego stemmed from experiences during the five psychosexual developmental stages (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).  Freud assumed that a majority of a person’s personality was developed before the age of five, this is one of many ideas of Freud’s theory that empirical research does not support (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

The study of spiritual development is important since it is frequently proven that spiritual experiences can drive an individual along the developmental path (Roehlkepartain et al., 2016).  Studies show that brain development takes place from infancy to adulthood.  The brain changes that occur in a life span should have a direct impact on thoughts and behaviors resulting in an impact on religious and spiritual experiences.  It is believed that having the ability to study abnormalities in spiritual development may assist professionals in creating proactive treatments for those in need (Roehlkepartain et al., 2016).  Colossians 4:12 says “To be mature and fully assured so you may stand firm in all the will of God” (New International Version). Ultimately, spiritual growth is pleasing to God and enables us to better serve Him and others.

References

Broderick, P. & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping

         professionals, 4th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. 

Roehlkepartain, E. King, P., Wagener, L., & Benson, P. (2016). Human Growth

and Development, 2nd edition, (Custom Edition). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

Reply to 2 other classmates by offering 1 new piece of information to add to their discussion of the different disorders.S. Weaver

The first chapter of the text describes the different types of theories that have been studied. Erik Erickson's personality theory is a commonly accepted theory that gives insight to 8 different stages. Each stage of life consists of a crisis that must be experienced. There is a conclusion to be drawn from each stage. Failing to succeed in one stage may very well lead to difficulty in the next stage. A positive experience in the early stages can lead to a more healthy responsive to future crisis situations. Erickson's theory focuses on these psychosocial stages which makes his theory more appealing than others to counseling professionals (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Piaget's cognitive development Theory consists of 4 stages to explain the different phases things are learned or naturally develop. Piaget believed there are stages within the 4 main stages. He claimed that there are some areas that a person may excel at while failing in another in the midst of the same stage. Experiences play a large role in this theory. Cognitive development will increase based off of what a child has already learned and will adapt their new information to their previous knowledge. This theory encourages children to explore their freedom while believing their experiences will carry them to the next stage when they are ready. Piaget believed that reasoning and understanding will come naturally (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Freud's psychoanalytic theory consists of 5 developmental stages. Freud believed their to be 3 parts to a person's mind. He believed in the biological self which he referred to as the Id. This is the pursuit of gratification aspect of a persons mind. As a believer it could be considered the human nature of a person who is seeking the outcome of their selfish desires. The Id focuses on the basic needs of a person such as the drive of hunger or for sex. Then there is the ego which is the rational approach giving sense to self-protection and reality. Finally he explains the Super Ego which includes the constraints that are needed. Some may describe this a conscience or guilt complex. Freud's 5 stages layout a thorough outline for the phases a child passes through all the way to adulthood. He explained that fairly to meet the needs in one area will surely lead to over fixation in the next (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Spiritual development gives purpose to a persons life. When a person is developing spiritualyl they have a hope that they did not have before which can combat the fear and worry that come with life. It is difficult to go through challenging circumstances but much more so when there is no hope or stability to lean on during those times. Someone who is suffering in a hard season of life will be much more prone to depression if fighting these circumstances alone. Though Christians experience depression in this life as well they have a hope that a non-believer does not have. Depression is a painful giant to fight but when there is knowledge of a steady savior, hope rises. Emotionally a person is given hope to overcome these difficult emotions. In time a person can experience physical change when the emotional stressors are lifted which can be done by growing spiritually. Socially a person may obtain healthy relationships especially when their identity has been built up spiritually. How much more easily it is to love people when one has lived in the love of the Lord first. David is a mighty example of seeking the Lord even when we do not feel his presence. Hearts can be so drastically changed when they seek God despite the feeling or the circumstance that currently surrounds. 

Broderick, P. & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals,

            4th edition. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

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Replies are your response to a classmate's thread. You must post at least two replies, which are to be at least 100 words each and should not exceed more than 200 words each J. Williams

Describe the difference between coaching and counseling, mentoring, and discipleship?

The difference between coaching, counseling, mentoring, and discipleship is that coaching can be defined as “ the art and practice of enabling individuals and groups to move from where they are to where they want to be (Collins, 2009).” Collins talks about how coaching is not something that is used as therapy to help a client get through issues they have dealt with throughout their lives (Collins, 2009). Rather, it is for reasonably stable individuals, who are trying to build confidence, increase skill levels, or take realistic strides towards a goal. Compared to counseling, coaching is less focused on solving problems and more geared towards helping a person reach their full potential (Collins, 2009).

Mentoring, on the other hand, involves a mentor modeling and closely supervising a mentee for special projects and individualized help (Collins, 2009). The mentee emulates the life and personal patterns/habits of the mentor. A great example of a mentorship can be seen in the movie Karate Kid between Mr. Miyagi and Daniel (the karate kid). Discipleship deals with teaching biblical truths and spiritual disciplines in a very focused way (Collins, 2009). For example, the 12th chapter of Romans, you can find Paul encouraging people to walk worthy of the Lord and please him in all that you do (Roman 12, NLT). This is the essence of biblical discipleship. In discipleship, we show others who God is and what Christianity is all about.  Compared to coaching, discipleship is less of a broad term and does not go beyond the scope of teaching biblical truths and spiritual disciplines like coaching does. Coaching is a group of techniques that is used to help someone accomplish their goals of discipleship (Collins, 2009).

What makes Christian Life Coaching distinctive from secular life coaching?

Christian Life Coaching is distinctive from secular life coaching because it incorporates God and the word of God. It is basically the foundational truth that is integrated into life coaching. Christian Life Coaching “encourages people to find God’s vision for their lives and to move from following their own agendas to pursuing God’s purpose (Collins, 2009, p. 23)” whereas, secular life coaches centers around worldly things and things not pertaining to God (Collins, 2009). Secular coaches operate around the principles of strength, strategy, and motivation (Collins, 2009).

 References

Collins, G.R. (2009). Christian coaching: Helping other turn potential into reality.

            Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress

Replies are your response to a classmate's thread. You must post at least two replies, which are to be at least 100 words each and should not exceed more than 200 words each S. Burford

The basic definition of a coach is someone who wants to help others get to where they want to go (Collins, 2009). There have been many misassumptions as to what true coaching is. It is important to distinguish what counseling, mentoring and disciplining are compared to coaching. First, counselors have the common goal to bring people from their negative experiences to live and cope better with their life (Collins, 2009).  On the other hand, coaches help people from a positive psychology perspective. Coaches want to focus on “finding fulfillment, [enhancing] performance, team building, vision casting and reaching one’s goals and dreams” (Collins, 2009, p. 16).

Mentoring has also become a common way to help others. A mentor provides modeling and helps an individual grow and develop (Collins, 2009). While, coaches do care about the growth of the person, coaches ask questions so that their clients can make their own goals and be in “control”. It is also good to note that, like mentoring, the coaches’ job is to still walk along-side an individual to help motivate them.

Lastly, discipleship seems to be closely associated with Christian coaching. Both viewpoints want to help people by teaching biblical truth (Collins, 2009). While there are many different aspects to coaching, discipleship gives light to a spiritual development of the client to grow into Christ-likeness (Collins, 2009).

While life coaching can make great life changes in an individual, Christian coaching can help make everlasting changes. Christian life coaches are different from the secular world because they “[guide and enable] individuals to move from where they are to where Godwants them to be.” (Collins, 2009, p. 23).  Dr. Tim Clinton in his book, Biblical Counseling,states that there are people everywhere who desperately need God’s grace and care from Christian coaching (Clinton & Hawkins, 2009).  For me personally, I can only help others because it is God who empowers me. He is my strength when I am worn, He is my grace when I do not deserve a second chance and He is my light in the darkness. 1 Corinthians 3:11 (NIV) says, “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” With God as my foundation, I know that the Holy Spirit will be guiding me through the people I coach. That is my prayer for all of you.

 

Sincerely,

Sarah

 

References

Clinton, T. & Hawkins, R (2009). Biblical counseling. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.

 

Collins, G. R. (2009). Helping others turn potential into reality: Christian coaching. (2nded.). Colorado Springs, CO: Navpress.