Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling?

Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (Full Version)

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Cloak -> Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/11/2008 10:45:02 PM)
Do you think Scripture should be used in Christian Counseling and if yes, in which circumstances?

_Cinderella_ -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 4:53:14 AM)
If it is Christian counseling, shouldn't we be going to the Scriptures to get guidance for our lives? I can't think of why this wouldn't be appropriate unless it was being use to an excessive degree.

HisCovenant -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 10:10:45 AM)
I think so... otherwise wouldn't it be secular counseling? It just needs to be kept in context. You can get ( and do have in our society) some pretty wonky applications of scripture when you take it out of context. But that's not using scripture...it's misusing scripture.

stampinlady -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 10:49:27 AM)
Yes in deed. Sin is the root of many problems, speaking from expearance.[8D]

Harvie -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 1:54:21 PM)
If the counseling doesn't include scripture, how is it "Christian" counseling?

DenimDiva -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 1:57:17 PM)
I was wondering the same thing as Harvie.

Kat_D -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 2:06:39 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva I was wondering the same thing as Harvie. Ditto!! The foundation of "Christian" counseling is the Word of God!

bluestone -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 2:09:00 PM)
It would be like Freudian counseling without using Freudian methods. Yes, it should be used in context.

coach_bob1 -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 2:39:48 PM)
It should be used, but not misused (reference the "Autistic child and church" thread on the parenting forum. There are people that will take some things too far, such as a mother in our church says that her 4 month old needs to be spanked because he kicks his legs around when he is getting his diaper changed. He is kicking because that's what babies do as a result of spending 9 months swimming around inside you.

Kat_D -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 2:47:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: coach_bob1 It should be used, but not misused (reference the "Autistic child and church" thread on the parenting forum. There are people that will take some things too far, such as a mother in our church says that her 4 month old needs to be spanked because he kicks his legs around when he is getting his diaper changed. He is kicking because that's what babies do as a result of spending 9 months swimming around inside you. While anything can be misused in the hands of ignorant people...that's not what this thread is about. The OP simply asked if Scripture should be used in Christian counseling. ETA: I forgot to add in my other post...it should be used in all circumstances.

Cloak -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 8:00:38 PM)
Thank you all for your feedback about this question which was wondering in my mind lately. Although the logical answer would be "yes," I honestly feel that sometimes reciting biblical verses for some hurting or suffering might sound preachy and self-righteous. On the other side, there are occasions when we recite biblical verses to someone hurting, yet they seem to work wonders and turn their life around. So I would add that it could be relative depending on the situation, the person etc. Since I have been asked this question lately in my class; I wanted to ask around and say people's opinions about this topic. It's a sort of "unofficial survey". Once again thanks folks! [:)]

Kat_D -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/12/2008 10:08:10 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Cloak Thank you all for your feedback about this question which was wondering in my mind lately. Although the logical answer would be "yes," I honestly feel that sometimes reciting biblical verses for some hurting or suffering might sound preachy and self-righteous. On the other side, there are occasions when we recite biblical verses to someone hurting, yet they seem to work wonders and turn their life around. So I would add that it could be relative depending on the situation, the person etc. Since I have been asked this question lately in my class; I wanted to ask around and say people's opinions about this topic. It's a sort of "unofficial survey". Once again thanks folks! [:)] Well, it's more than "reciting" scripture to someone in a Christian counseling setting. It is the foundation for the counsel we give. Also, when it is presented properly to a hurting soul there is power, healing, love, hope and comfort in it because it is all Truth. I am a biblical counselor for women and it is the basis for every word that proceeds from my mouth in every counseling session.

coach_bob1 -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 9:51:58 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Kat_D While anything can be misused in the hands of ignorant people...that's not what this thread is about. The OP simply asked if Scripture should be used in Christian counseling. ETA: I forgot to add in my other post...it should be used in all circumstances. Describe what you mean by "all circumstances". The reason I ask is because I have read articles on the National Association of Neuthetic Counselors (NANC) website that say all diseases/disorders are the result of sin. (Including Diabetes and Autism along with others) While I suffer from neither, I do have family members, specifically my daughter, that suffers from these, specifically Autism and . Do you believe that Scripture is the only counseling needed for these? FYI, this is my attempt in trying to decipher information that I have read from groups claiming to be Christian.

HisCovenant -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 10:03:35 AM)
I believe all Christian Counselling should be heavily based in scripture and rest on the foundation and balance found in all scripture. That's why it's so important to have a mature counselor who doesn't have a foundation based on "out of context" teachings, like all disorders/diseases are traceable back to a sin that either you or your daughter committed. That thought is based on half-truths that don't accurately portray what God has revealed about disease. Some is given for God's glory (the boy in the NT,) some is given as a test (Job,) some is given to humble us (Paul's thorn in the flesh); some is given as punishment from God for sin, and some are the direct results of sinful behavior (like a lifetime of drunkenness causes liver damage.) The Bible doesn't deal with every issue on the planet, but it does give principles that will help in dealing with any issue. Problems like diabetes and Autism are not specifically mentioned and we do need the help of other reports and tests to accurately treat them. However, just like we need to test Christian Counselors to make sure we are getting advice based on truths and not halftruths, we need to be logically working our way through the secular tests and reports because some of them are a bunch of bunk dressed up to sound like wisdom. It takes a lot of wisdom and discernment to be able to mix these things together and treat those issues.

Cloak -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 12:04:00 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Kat_D quote: ORIGINAL: Cloak Thank you all for your feedback about this question which was wondering in my mind lately. Although the logical answer would be "yes," I honestly feel that sometimes reciting biblical verses for some hurting or suffering might sound preachy and self-righteous. On the other side, there are occasions when we recite biblical verses to someone hurting, yet they seem to work wonders and turn their life around. So I would add that it could be relative depending on the situation, the person etc. Since I have been asked this question lately in my class; I wanted to ask around and say people's opinions about this topic. It's a sort of "unofficial survey". Once again thanks folks! [:)] Well, it's more than "reciting" scripture to someone in a Christian counseling setting. It is the foundation for the counsel we give. Also, when it is presented properly to a hurting soul there is power, healing, love, hope and comfort in it because it is all Truth. I am a biblical counselor for women and it is the basis for every word that proceeds from my mouth in every counseling session. While that might be logically true, there are occasions where our non-verbal communications speak louder than the quantity of our knowledge. I know sometimes when I touch someone or hug them [sm=hug.gif] rather than preach to them a biblical verse (s), it goes longer way than how much I know of Scripture. A wise counselor uses both and combination of them in a balanced, healthy and wise way and also according to the situation.

Kat_D -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 12:19:46 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Cloak quote: ORIGINAL: Kat_D quote: ORIGINAL: Cloak Thank you all for your feedback about this question which was wondering in my mind lately. Although the logical answer would be "yes," I honestly feel that sometimes reciting biblical verses for some hurting or suffering might sound preachy and self-righteous. On the other side, there are occasions when we recite biblical verses to someone hurting, yet they seem to work wonders and turn their life around. So I would add that it could be relative depending on the situation, the person etc. Since I have been asked this question lately in my class; I wanted to ask around and say people's opinions about this topic. It's a sort of "unofficial survey". Once again thanks folks! [:)] Well, it's more than "reciting" scripture to someone in a Christian counseling setting. It is the foundation for the counsel we give. Also, when it is presented properly to a hurting soul there is power, healing, love, hope and comfort in it because it is all Truth. I am a biblical counselor for women and it is the basis for every word that proceeds from my mouth in every counseling session. While that might be logically true, there are occasions where our non-verbal communications speak louder than the quantity of our knowledge. I know sometimes when I touch someone or hug them [sm=hug.gif] rather than preach to them a biblical verse (s), it goes longer way than how much I know of Scripture. A wise counselor uses both and combination of them in a balanced, healthy and wise way and also according to the situation. Your question was not whether touching and hugging should be used in Christian Counseling. Your question was, "Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling?" so I was expounding on that from my experience as a biblical counselor. BTW, because you brought it up, I often touch and hug the women I counsel while giving them Scripture and counsel based on Scripture.[8\|] ETA: You seem to cotinue to want to bring this to the level of throwing Scripture at people or preaching at them with Scripture with no sensitivity...and when I counsel, that just never happens.

DenimDiva -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 12:21:36 PM)
If I am going to see a Christian counselor, then I want to know what they are basing their advice on. It seems to me that the best way to get that information is if they provided me with Scriptures to back it up.

HisCovenant -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 12:23:55 PM)
Showing love is a part of scriptural counseling. Basing your counsel on scripture not only means sharing scripture (actual verses for the client's meditation,) but also acting as Christ would have us act (combining the Truth with Love.) Both qualify as "using scripture" which was the statement used in the OP.

Grace-N-Mercy -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 1:29:44 PM)
quote: Do you think Scripture should be used in Christian Counseling and if yes, in which circumstances? Do I think it should be used? Absolutely. Should it be used in all situations? Probably not. There are circumstances where the counselor should refrain from using scripture. Let me give you an example. A couple comes to you for counseling. He is using scripture improperly towards his wife and children to his own selfishness. The wife has heard all the verses over and over as they were used against her, and she may be completely turned off if the counselor uses scripture right away. quote: A wise counselor uses both and combination of them in a balanced, healthy and wise way and also according to the situation. Amen! [sm=thumbsup.gif]

GrahamCracker -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 1:35:52 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: HisCovenant I believe all Christian Counselling should be heavily based in scripture and rest on the foundation and balance found in all scripture. That's why it's so important to have a mature counselor who doesn't ....and reports because some of them are a bunch of bunk dressed up to sound like wisdom. It takes a lot of wisdom and discernment to be able to mix these things together and treat those issues. Some mental conditions are organic/physical in origin and quoting scripture at them won't affect them in the least. They may be caused by sin ultimately but have a physical/genetic direct link. God may have caused me to have weeds in my garden as a result of Adam's sin, but I can either get a herbicide or pull them out by hand. If I stub my toe and break it, I have the doctor wrap it up and splint it. OTOH, God commands me to not be bitter and resentful. If I do, I may have a genuine stress-based crazy spell. Some emotional abnormalities are certainly linked to unforgiveness, something I can do something about.

zoebob -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 1:42:37 PM)
I think a Christian counselors theories, methods, advice should be grounded in scripture. However, I don't necessarily think they need to recite scripture passages in every session. I have seen a Christian counselor a handful of times in the last year. I am not sure that he has used scripture in every session. He might refer to a passage, he might discuss a passage without reading it. He gives advice on how to handle situations from a Christian world view and keeping in mind the spiritual condition of the other parties involved. Of course, I grew up in the church, was a PK for many years, and pretty much know many of the scriptures that relate to my situation. He knows I have the back ground already.

GrahamCracker -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 1:54:51 PM)
zoebob, Me too, except I was not a PK. There is the presupposition that if you have inside emotional turmoil that you must be violating scripture somewhere. And that certainly isn't the case. Sometimes, it's just a part of life that we must accept. No amount of scripture quoting will necessarily change the outcome or ease the conflict. Sometimes, we have to learn to deal with it.

solo_soprano22 -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 2:50:42 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: GrahamCracker zoebob, Me too, except I was not a PK. There is the presupposition that if you have inside emotional turmoil that you must be violating scripture somewhere. And that certainly isn't the case. Sometimes, it's just a part of life that we must accept. No amount of scripture quoting will necessarily change the outcome or ease the conflict. Sometimes, we have to learn to deal with it. I agree. One of my friends told me she went to a Chrisitan cousellor, and she claims the counsellor just said "you need to pray more" over and over again. Needless to say, she left that counsellor. I think she went with a secular one (both her and her busband have graduate degrees in theology/religion, etc)...so I suppose she knows what the Bible says. A Christian counsellor who did that to me would get on my nerves too though. I always seek out secular ones just to avoid stuff like that. It's not always about the person going against some Scripture. [8\|] Really, if it IS always about going against Scripture, then what do you say to people who have a mental disorder due to a chemical imbalance?

DenimDiva -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 3:34:03 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: solo_soprano22 A Christian counsellor who did that to me would get on my nerves too though. I always seek out secular ones just to avoid stuff like that. It's not always about the person going against some Scripture. [8\|] Really, if it IS always about going against Scripture, then what do you say to people who have a mental disorder due to a chemical imbalance? You know, I feel for Christian counselors. There are some bad ones out there, no doubt. However the good ones get a bad rap because of the bad ones.

solo_soprano22 -> RE: Should Scripture be used in Christian Counseling? (3/13/2008 3:52:26 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DenimDiva quote: ORIGINAL: solo_soprano22 A Christian counsellor who did that to me would get on my nerves too though. I always seek out secular ones just to avoid stuff like that. It's not always about the person going against some Scripture. [8\|] Really, if it IS always about going against Scripture, then what do you say to people who have a mental disorder due to a chemical imbalance? You know, I feel for Christian counselors. There are some bad ones out there, no doubt. However the good ones get a bad rap because of the bad ones. Yeah, I actually know a lot of people who avoid them altogether. I think the reason why I avoid them ALL is just to try to avoid the ones who are like that. But then there are "secular" counsellors who aren't so great either. [8\|] Same as in a lot of health professions I guess...I've seen women hate on all ob/gyn's cause Dr. X over there did them wrong (just as an example lol).

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