Encouraging Word

Cognitive-behavior therapy has increased in popularity over the recent years as an effective method of counseling because it often allows therapist the opportunity to treat clients on a short-term basis. However, “treat” and “short-term” are subjective words. To what degree are people being treated, and how short-term? Too short-term, or not short-term enough? I prefer a cognitive-behavior approach to counseling, but not because it offers short-term care, but rather because it leads to reality-based thinking. Nevertheless, I have come to believe that cognitive-behavior therapy, as with many other counseling theories, has more problem solving limitations than it does solutions. Therefore, cognitive-behavior therapy by itself may only offer problem solving skills that help manage the problems that people seek counseling to solve.

I believe that modern psychology as a whole has served our profession well in the area of identifying psychological and emotional disorders, but it has not seemed to be as useful when treating such issues. Therefore, I prefer integrating psychology with Theology because the combination allows me to use theories such as cognitive-behavior therapy to help a client understand his or her presenting problem and the power of God for inner healing. However, finding the right balance can be challenging because offering too much “Christian counseling” in our postmodern era can solicit an unpredictable response.

Problematic behavior is an area of dysfunction where the combination of psychology and Theology works well when applied correctly. Early in my counseling career, I heard the expression “watch what they do more than what they say” and accepted that simple proverb as a cardinal rule for getting to the root of someone’s motivation. And over the years, it has been a good yard stick for me when measuring what a client really wants to do in counseling.

When applying that same concept to a biblical perspective, I consider Jesus’ warning recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke when He said, “beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.” He then added that “a good tree does not bear bad fruit and a bad tree does not bear good fruit, therefore, by their fruit you will know them.” Similar to the simple phrase, watch what they do more than what they say, Jesus gave us a valuable reference point for counseling.

Likewise, Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) founder, Albert Ellis, developed a model of therapy based on his ABC principle. He suggested that A represents actual events, B represents a person’s belief about A (which could be irrational), and C represents the consequences that resulted from a person’s believe about A. For example, a man is laid off from his job due to company budget cuts (actual event), but believes that he was let go because of his poor work performance (irrational belief). He then quits his job because he feels inadequate for his vocation (consequence). Cases like these are common and a therapist could gain a good understanding of the man’s irrational perception of reality by observing his self-defeating behavior.

Like the illustration above, many counseling concerns are based on the beliefs that clients have about themselves. Christian counselors often consider this as the “lies that people believe about themselves.” In my counseling sessions, I work to reveal the truth about self as a therapeutic goal. Or in other words, I help my clients reverse their irrational beliefs. I can work towards that goal using psychology, but do not recommend it alone as a preferred method. Instead, I propose addressing the problem by relying on God’s wisdom and Holy Spirit to guide my client and me through the healing process.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” I use verses such as these as my foundation for healing and build on them using cognitive-behavior techniques that complement God’s plan for our lives. Like Ellis, I believe that what a person believes is essential to his or her overall happiness. The most quoted verse in the Bible, John 3:16, places our eternal security in what we ultimately choose to believe.

By integrating psychology with Theology, many of my clients have altered their beliefs which resulted in a more positive outlook on their lives. As they changed their perception, they also improved their behavior. As behavior improved, consequences from their behavior became more enjoyable and ultimately validated their new beliefs. This positive cycle, which often functioned in the opposite direction before counseling, leads to greater happiness and self fulfillment.

The benefits that are gained from integrating psychology with Theology are tremendous and range from improved interpersonal relationships to better self-esteem to living a “purpose driven life,” as Pastor Rick Warren describes in his best selling book.