This article deals with various intervention strategies that incorporate Scripture in psychotherapy, providing examples of a fictional client, George. This article is written to increase Christian counselors’ awareness of diverse Scripture interventions and to stimulate “divinely inspired creativity” in the further development of strategies (Garzon, 2005). At the beginning of the article, the author introduces the case of George and mentions ethical issues. He highlights the importance of assessment of clients’ religio-cultural background and of clarifying therapists’ own countertransference reactions to the possibility of using Scripture.
The author describes various potential Scripture interventions for George’s treatment. The first one is implicit Scripture intervention, which emphasizes a therapist’s modeling the character of Christ as seen in the Bible. It includes non-overt strategies like prayer outside of sessions and the personal spiritual life of the counselor. Psychoeducational intervention handles the Bible passages to educate the client. For example, the author uses Psalms to help George to learn the appropriateness of experiencing his emotions. Theoeducational intervention assesses a client’s learned theology and corrects his or her biased view on God. Behavioral intervention integrates a Scripture phrase with therapeutic techniques that improve a client’s behavioral problem. For example, the author asks George to repeat a supportive Bible phrase when he exhales, using a deep-breathing relaxation technique. It improves his sleep problem. Cognitive intervention includes Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) styles and Bekian approaches. REBT utilizes reason and logic as primary tactics to change core irrational beliefs, while cognitive therapy focuses on individualized dysfunctional perception styles and a more empirical modality (Garzon, 2005). In the treatment with REBT strategy, the author helps George to describe the incident, his belief and emotions and dispute the belief by Scripture. The author also utilizes the Seven Column technique, a Beckian approach. He uses inductive questions and Scripture-focused questions to find evidence against George’s belief. In addition, the author describes affective experiential approaches, which help a client to bring his or her unsolved feelings into the here and now with a therapist. The author adds a goal that the client brings the core issues into “the living presence of God” for processing (Garzon, 2005). This intervention includes inner healing prayer and the contemplative practice of “Living Scripture,” which is a sensory experience of the Gospel story through imagination. In the conclusion, based on George’s case, the author underlines that the Bible can be a powerful resource in psychotherapy when appropriate ethical and religio-cultural assessment guidelines are followed. Interaction This article deals with various Scripture interventions and …show more content…
She recently found that her husband, Tony, has engaged in another relationship since the third year of her marriage. She presents for treatment with concerns of depressed mood, low self-esteem, and sleeping problem. She reports that she cannot believe that Tony betrayed her and feels that no one loves her anymore. She believes that she is not an adorable and valuable person …show more content…
In this technique, this student-writer will help Susan to describe the incident, her belief and emotions and dispute the belief. In Susan’s case, activating event is that Susan’s husband committed adultery. Her irrational belief is that “No one loves her because she is not adorable and valuable.” Consequent emotions are sadness, depression, discouragement, and helplessness. At this point, the student-writer will be empathic first and help her to dispute the belief realistically and logically, applying Scripture. For example, she can ask “What evidence is there to support your belief that because Tony had an affair, you are not adorable and not loved by anyone?” or “Does it follow logically that, if you are not loved by Tony, you will always not be loved by anyone?” This student-writer also needs to educate Susan on promises found in the Bible to contradict her negative belief if Susan does not know these from her past Christian life (Garzon, 2005). God’s Word says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV). The Bible also says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children
The author describes various potential Scripture interventions for George’s treatment. The first one is implicit Scripture intervention, which emphasizes a therapist’s modeling the character of Christ as seen in the Bible. It includes non-overt strategies like prayer outside of sessions and the personal spiritual life of the counselor. Psychoeducational intervention handles the Bible passages to educate the client. For example, the author uses Psalms to help George to learn the appropriateness of experiencing his emotions. Theoeducational intervention assesses a client’s learned theology and corrects his or her biased view on God. Behavioral intervention integrates a Scripture phrase with therapeutic techniques that improve a client’s behavioral problem. For example, the author asks George to repeat a supportive Bible phrase when he exhales, using a deep-breathing relaxation technique. It improves his sleep problem. Cognitive intervention includes Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) styles and Bekian approaches. REBT utilizes reason and logic as primary tactics to change core irrational beliefs, while cognitive therapy focuses on individualized dysfunctional perception styles and a more empirical modality (Garzon, 2005). In the treatment with REBT strategy, the author helps George to describe the incident, his belief and emotions and dispute the belief by Scripture. The author also utilizes the Seven Column technique, a Beckian approach. He uses inductive questions and Scripture-focused questions to find evidence against George’s belief. In addition, the author describes affective experiential approaches, which help a client to bring his or her unsolved feelings into the here and now with a therapist. The author adds a goal that the client brings the core issues into “the living presence of God” for processing (Garzon, 2005). This intervention includes inner healing prayer and the contemplative practice of “Living Scripture,” which is a sensory experience of the Gospel story through imagination. In the conclusion, based on George’s case, the author underlines that the Bible can be a powerful resource in psychotherapy when appropriate ethical and religio-cultural assessment guidelines are followed. Interaction This article deals with various Scripture interventions and …show more content…
She recently found that her husband, Tony, has engaged in another relationship since the third year of her marriage. She presents for treatment with concerns of depressed mood, low self-esteem, and sleeping problem. She reports that she cannot believe that Tony betrayed her and feels that no one loves her anymore. She believes that she is not an adorable and valuable person …show more content…
In this technique, this student-writer will help Susan to describe the incident, her belief and emotions and dispute the belief. In Susan’s case, activating event is that Susan’s husband committed adultery. Her irrational belief is that “No one loves her because she is not adorable and valuable.” Consequent emotions are sadness, depression, discouragement, and helplessness. At this point, the student-writer will be empathic first and help her to dispute the belief realistically and logically, applying Scripture. For example, she can ask “What evidence is there to support your belief that because Tony had an affair, you are not adorable and not loved by anyone?” or “Does it follow logically that, if you are not loved by Tony, you will always not be loved by anyone?” This student-writer also needs to educate Susan on promises found in the Bible to contradict her negative belief if Susan does not know these from her past Christian life (Garzon, 2005). God’s Word says, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39 NIV). The Bible also says, “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children