Jimbo's Jots

Through a mutual friend, I was contacted by a graduate student pursuing a degree in counseling who reached out to interview me for an assignment. The assignment was to discuss the connection of psychology and faith. More specifically, how do I use, or even do I, use faith and Christian principles as a therapist working with clients.

To begin, there is a range of beliefs trying to define if there should even be a connection between faith and psychology. I’m going to call this Christi-cology. As she and I discussed, there are basic five views connecting psychology and Christianity: (https://christianscholars.com/psychology-and-christianity-five-views/)

1. Levels of Explanation: Basic belief here is there is no connection between psychology, which is viewed as a science, and faith. The thought here is that there are foundational scientific principles taught in psychology that counter teachings of Christianity. Therefore they really do not mix.
2. Integration Psychology: In this area, psychology principles and practices are used mixing in Christian principles to aid in the healing process.
3. Christian Psychology: Here we find a stronger influence of Christian principles and practices influencing more of the psychological.
4. Transformational Psychology: Focus here is on more towards spiritual matters and renewal rather than adjusting emotional component
5. Biblical Counseling: The view here is that Christian faith is psychology. “It is a concern for the soul, not secular psychotherapy.”

I shared with her that I probably fall more in the range of Integration Psychology principles. Here is what I mean and I shared it with her. As I work with clients, some clients do not have a desire to integrate faith in the counseling process. Others are open to it and as I often explain to them, it is the healing of the whole self. As Reboot Recovery: Trauma Recovery teaches, the focus on spiritual healing is just as important for the healing of the whole person.

I gave her several examples of how I introduce Christian values in therapy. One example is when helping clients with anxiety and stress. They often focus on how they are not good enough and develop negative self talk patterns. So, I will often have them read and meditate on Psalm 139:13-14.

Another example is working with couples. The assessment that I use gives tremendous feedback and offers follow up material, even incorporating Bible verses connecting to the areas of importance like communication, finances, and family values.

I was honored and happy to share with this future therapist about my current life as a minister and a therapist. How often, instead of viewing these two spaces as counterintuitive, they can create opportunities for both emotional and spiritual growth for the client and even the therapist.

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others!