PERSONAL COUNSELING THEORY
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Personal Counseling Theory
Shannon R. Goodwin
School of Behavioral Science, Liberty University
Author's Note
Shannon R. Goodwin
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Shannon R. Goodwin
Email: sgoodwin21@liberty.edu
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Abstract
Several theoretical schools of thought/perspectives have shaped and developed during the past
decades. These perspectives include biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and
humanistic. All of these are grounded in beliefs regarding how humans behave. However, many
approaches can be used with each perspective. This paper will focus on two perspectives –
humanistic and behavioral, to develop an eclectic approach to counseling. Within these
frameworks, Carl Rogers' Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) – humanistic, and Aaron Beck's
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – behavioral, will be examined. PCT highlights the client's
ability to resolve their own problems. CBT emphasizes the client's irrational thoughts as the causes
of their problems. This writer will elaborate on key mechanisms of these therapies and treatment
strategies that can positively impact the client and lead to behavioral change. A fictitious case
study is included to highlight aspects of this writer's working therapy. Finally, a Christian
worldview will also be addressed to show how well these therapies can be integrated with a biblical
perspective.
Keywords: person-centered therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, Christian worldview,
biblical perspective
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Personal Counseling Theory
Introduction
Every counselor's approach to therapy originates from some school of thought about how
humans behave and what affects such behavior. In the early stages, most counselors are prone to
follow a systematic traditional counseling approach. As those counselors grow, their
understanding of the different therapeutic perspectives develops. They start to evolve, and their
counseling style begins to take on a form of its own. As they continue to learn and study the
different approaches, they become captivated by one or two of them. This attractiveness or
interest becomes the foundational rock from which that counselor builds their therapeutic
approach to counseling. This new forge into developing a personal approach to counseling is
great. However, in doing so, counselors must understand how vitally important it is to adopt an
approach that aligns with one's personality and personal worldview. Adopting a theoretical
approach that is compatible with who you are and how you conceive the process of helping
people will likely enhance your effectiveness and enjoyment of your work (Seligman et al.,
2021). Seligman et al. (2021) claim counselors prefer theoretical approaches that reflect their
personality type. It is impossible to sever oneself from who one truly is. One's values, beliefs,
feelings, etc., affect their actions and can either make or break the counselor/client alliance. The
counselor/client alliance is one of the most crucial factors in the approaches (Person-Centered
Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) used to develop this writer's counseling theory.
Also, relationship-centeredness is likened to the Christian perspective of Christ-centeredness,
which is central to this writer's primary and foundational belief system. Tan (2011) states great
strides have been made in integrating a biblical perspective into the counseling process. The
counseling process is all about helping those who are confronting issues that affect their normal
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life functioning. People seek counseling for various reasons and bring with them all the baggage
that influences and causes their distress. Not only must counselors consider these causes behind
people's distress, but also the influences.
Client's Introduction
The client in this writer's working theory name is Marcia. She is seeking counseling for
depression. Her husband advised her to seek counseling because she is angry, irritable, is not
sleeping well, and has lost interest in activities.
Factors Influencing Distress
The idea of human nature has been debated for years. Most religious scholars claim that
human beings' religious and spiritual nature is the key. For example, Christians believe humans
are God's creation, and God has given them the free will of choice. On the other hand, those of
the Buddhist faith believed that to desire and be aware (conscious) is human. Philosophers like
Plato and Aristotle viewed humans as rational, social animals. However, they differ in that Plato
connected our soul and ability to human nature. But Aristotle argued that both the body and soul
are the key to human identity. Others, such as Darwin ad Marx argued humans are products of
evolution. Humans are depicted by their species' characteristics rather than divine influence
(Kabir et al., 2019). Early psychologists viewed human behavior as a result of external stimuli,
then later moved toward a humanistic viewpoint but still rejected God and his sovereignty (Kabir
et al., 2019). However, this writer is from the Christian thought process that believes that we are
created in the image of God. Kabir et al. (2019) "God created humans to think, act, feel and be in
relationships with other humans." Also, Genesis 1:27 gives credence to the creation – "So God
created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he
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created them" (English Standard Version, 2001). If humans, therefore, are God's creation made
to function in perfect harmony with one another, what went wrong? The first two creations,
Adam and Eve, forfeited what God designed to be perfect. Their disobedience opened up the
portal to sin, leaving all humanity/humankind prey to sin, bringing emotional, behavioral,
relationship, and physical suffering.
Client's Influencing Factors
The primary factor influencing Marcia's distress is her health. Marcia is a decorated
military police officer with 14 years of service. She was recently diagnosed with Type II
diabetes. She is having difficulty sustaining or maintaining her health. She suffers from chronic
fatigue and dizziness. Marcia loves her job but knows she must seek a medical discharge because
of her health. She feels like she is a failure because she worked so hard to excel and be accepted
among her male counterparts. She has little to no interest in activities and expressed she does not
have the energy to get out of bed.
Demographics
The World Health Organization (WHO) report indicates that mental health disorders are
prevalent in the United States. More than 260 individuals struggle with anxiety disorder, more
than 300 struggle with depression, and hundreds of millions with other mental health issues
(WHO, 2018). These disorders have a dire impact (i.e., hopelessness, sleep deprivation, suicidal
ideation, relationship issues, etc.) on clients with various backgrounds, including race, gender,
age, and marital status. Demographics can also include socioeconomic status, nationality,
religion, etc. A client's demographic information is usually obtained at the point of intake. More
detailed demographics – family composition, education, career status-are gathered at the initial
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counseling session. This information is vital to assist clients who are suffering. According to
WHO (2018), of those suffering, 20% are children, and one in five are adults. However, studies
identify a wide deficiency related to demographics in those who willingly seek professional
counseling (Han al, 2014). Kim (2017) "women are more likely to seek counseling compared to
men." Seidler et al. (2017) claim Whites seek counseling at a higher rate than other ethnic
groups. In addition, after examining help-seeking behavior with the intersection of race,
ethnicity, gender, and poverty, Parent et al. (2018) noted a negative association for African
Americans and a positive association for Whites. In other words, Whites are most likely to seek
help as their income increase, whereas African Americans will not (Parent et al., 2018). This
information is not new, nor is it surprising to this writer. As an African American, I am quite
aware of the stigma surrounding mental health within my community and others not of White
descent. But more importantly, the counselor must be ethnically sensitive and diversified, and
competent to devise an effective treatment plan that aligns with the client's demographics.
Client's Demographics
Marcia is a 31-year-old African American female. She is a first-generation college
graduate. Marcia has been married for ten years to Steven, also a military police officer. They
have one daughter (8 years old).
Background
All humans are unique in their own rights, possessing different gifts with different
purposes. Humans are unique in that each person has different elements that impact their lives,
including their emotions, feelings, thoughts, culture, and family. Such elements, along with
others, can influence how a person responds to life's stressors. These and other factors (i.e., the
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counselor's cultural, ethnic background, etc.) must be carefully considered. For example, does
the counselor possess the expertise to assist the client? Are there conflicts of interest (i.e.,
counselor beliefs are out of sync with client's lifestyle)? Obtaining as much knowledge as
possible surrounding the client's history and experiences is beneficial to both the counselor and
client. The data ascertained about the client assist the counselor with making an informed
decision regarding the best course of action suited for the client's presenting issues. Upon
confirming counselor and client are a good match, they both work together to discuss and agree
on treatment goals. These goals are accessed and adjusted, if necessary, throughout the
counseling process.
The counselor selects a counseling approach(es) that fits her personality and preferred
counseling style. For this writer, that would be Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) and CognitiveBehavioral Therapy (CBT). PCT considers the client's past experiences, perceived childhood
messages (background), and perceptions that shaped their emotions, attitudes, and actions,
negatively affecting their lives (Seligman, 2021). The Apostle Paul speaks about changing our
childhood behavior. "When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned
like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways" (English Standard Version, 2001, 1
Corinthians 13:11). CBT can go hand-in-hand with PCT, focusing on the client's irrational
thoughts regarding their experiences that cause their distress (Marasigan, 2019). The approach
emphasizes the power of being mindful of one's irrational thoughts. Being mindful of one's
thoughts means being aware of them without necessarily having a strong reaction to them.
Colossians 3:2 instructs us regarding our minds in the Bible – "set your minds on things that are
above, not on things that are on earth" (New International Version, 2011). This verse indicates
mindfulness was not only God's idea, but it is a way to control our human emotions.
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Client's Background
A devout Christian, Marcia has strong ties to the church. The youngest of six siblings, she
grew up in a warm, loving household with her mother and siblings. Though her parents were
divorced, she saw her father often.
Emotions/Sensations
Humans are born with several emotions. Paul Eckman identified these emotions as –
anger, sadness, disgust, fear, surprise, pride, shame, embarrassment, excitement, and happiness
(Cherry, 2021). Nummenmaa et al. (2014) stated, "emotions are often felt in the body, and
somatosensory feedback has been proposed to trigger conscious emotional experiences." They
are the drivers of human behavior during survival-salient events and pleasurable interactions
(Nummenmaa et al., 2014). Interoceptive feedback of our emotions is an important component of
our conscious emotional experiences. This interoceptive feedback can cause physiological and
psychological effects and even secondary emotions (Volynets et al., 2020). Secondary emotions
are arousing reactions to a primary emotion. For example, the emotion of shame arises when you
are angry. When humans exhibit a secondary emotion, the key is to pinpoint the primary emotion
(the root cause). By identifying the primary emotion, a person can change their reaction
(behavior) and relieve their distress.
Identifying and understanding the cause of emotional reactions is essential to establishing
good mental health behaviors (Cherry, 2021). However, clients seldom can facilitate this change
without help. It is the counselor's job to help the client facilitate behavioral changes through
various therapeutic techniques. The most appropriate way to understand the client's behavior
from their frame of reference includes the full range of sensations, perceptions, meanings, and
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memories available to their conscious mind. To do this, it would require accurate empathy on the
counselor's part, which is an essential trait of PCT (Rowe, 2017). From a CBT perspective, the
way humans think affects how they behave. Tams (2021), "the basic premise is that people often
have thoughts or feelings that perpetuate problematic or destructive beliefs." For example,
suppose a person is worrying about doing well on a presentation for work. The human thought
process leads to strong emotions, even in the absence of the event. Thus, such worry can bring
about anxiety. In other words, just the mere thought of the briefing creates a strong emotion such
as anxiety or even fear. The counselor attempts to facilitate change in the client by helping them
understand their irrational thinking as it relates to their emotions (Seligman, 2021). When clients
are taught how to express their feelings effectively, it equips them with the tools to recognize and
decipher their emotions. As a result, they react in more positive, healthy ways.
Client’s Emotions/Sensations
Marcia is alert and oriented; however, she makes no eye contact. It seems obvious that
she is irritated by her sharp voice tone and quick responses. She is also rapidly tapping her foot,
which is a sign of both nervousness and irritability.
Thoughts/Actions
The biblical God asserts, "I am that I am," Ren ̌Descartes, "I think therefore I am."
Hamlet, "I act therefore I am," all suggest that developing the inner self must be actualized
through outward expression (Morgan, 2013). When considering these statements, one would
conclude that a person who embodies them does not need to take responsibility for their actions.
It would also infer the owners of these statements have reached a self-fulfillment stage in life. I
believe this is true of God (being the supreme being). However, Hamlet and Descartes'
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assertions, for me, raise questions. Questions such as, what are you really thinking? Are you
having positive thoughts regarding yourself and others who are a part of your life's circle? In
other words, are your thoughts egocentric? These questions are important. Because while having
the human faculty of thinking or acting proves one's existence, it does not mean such existence is
healthy.
The human mind is the house of our thoughts that are most likely reflected through our
actions. Every day we awake with new ideas/thoughts about what we perceive to be the reality or
the direction we should take in life. However, sometimes those thoughts are irrational and
distorted, and at times cause us to engage in destructive and harmful behaviors. Counselors
whose theories are grounded in behavioral and humanistic theoretical approaches believe
thoughts drive behavior. Therefore, they believe if clients change their thought patterns, new
positive behavior will follow. For instance, CBT's primary objective is to help modify the client's
irrational thoughts. The therapy's foundational premise is that you will change your life if you
change your thoughts (Tams, 2018). PCT is founded upon the therapeutic relationship where the
counselor supports the client's empowerment allowing them to become the best version of
themself.
Client's Thoughts/Actions
The following is a sample counselor/client dialogue that speaks to Marcia's state of mind
and negative thoughts:
Counselor: How are you feeling today?
Marcia: Like curling up and dying.
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Counselor: So, you're saying you don't feel well.
Marcia: No, I don't. I mean, I'm not sick. I just want to get the inevitable done and over.
Counselor: The inevitable, what do you mean?
Marcia: You know, dying. Everyone in my family who had an illness died at a young age. Why
should I think things will be different for me? They couldn't seem to get their health under
control, and neither can I. What kind of example am I for my daughter?
Counselor: So, you are worried that you are not a good example for your daughter. What makes
you think you aren't already a good example?
Family/Cultural Systems
The family and cultural system play a vital role in the client's values, beliefs, behavior,
and worldview. How well the therapeutic alliance develops depends on the client's cultural
system. That is why counselors must complete a thorough assessment that includes the client's
cultural practices and beliefs before the counseling process begins. Doing so will ensure the
counselors make every effort to utilize culturally appropriate techniques in the therapeutic
process. In addition, counselors need to be fully aware of their own cultural biases, experiences,
and values (Sue et al., 2019). PCT model emphasizes the client's positive aspects, viewing them
as experts regarding their own lives. Counselors create a non-judgmental atmosphere where the
client can express their feelings freely and openly. However, those clients who belong to a
collectivistic family system may find freely expressing their emotions and feelings not so easy to
do (Seligman, 2021).
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Like, PCT, CBT relies heavily on a cooperative working relationship between the
counselor and the client (APA Dictionary of Psychology, 2020). It considers the client's family
and cultural system. However, unlike PCT, the model does not focus on the client's feelings but
rather the client's thoughts. According to Aldopucci (2021), CBT views the entire family's core
beliefs and each member's cognitive behavior patterns. Evident-based research shows the
approach as very successful with families and various other clientele (Tams, 2019). Hence, CBT
is an appropriate counselor approach for various backgrounds, especially those of Asian descent
who are uncomfortable openly expressing their feelings and emotions (Seligman, 2021).
Client's Family/Cultural System
Marcia has a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney and heart
disease. Her mother had diabetes and died at the age of 69 from a stroke, her father died at age
72 from heart failure, and her brother died at 40 from kidney failure. However, she has four
living siblings, two of whom have lupus, one has a mild heart arrhythmia, and they live fully
productive lives.
Theory-Based Treatment Strategies
Key Underlying Mechanisms
PCT is grounded in humanistic psychology, has paved the way for many other
approaches. Carl Rogers, the founder of PCT, strongly believed in humans' value, dignity, and
worth to grow and advance toward self-actualization. It is a treatment approach that places the
client at the center of the counseling decision-making process. It has an affirming, optimistic
view of humans. It focuses on the client's innate ability to solve their own issues rather than the
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counselor. It is a very effective approach with many problems, especially problems of self-worth
and esteem. Its basic concepts of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard will
benefit the client/counselor relationship. Counselors wholeheartedly support and encourage the
client to responsibly take the necessary steps toward healing and growth (Tan, 2011). They
establish an environment that fosters hope and permits the client time and space to express their
thoughts, emotions, and feelings without judgment. This environment is essential. It encourages
the client to see a true mirror image of their strengths and weaknesses as they reflect upon their
personality and make modifications to adapt to a more healthy lifestyle. Changes that occur in
the client happens because they are motivated to change. Rowe (2017) argues respect, hope, and
empathy for self and others, promotes and encourages recovery and continuous healthy living. If
clients perceive the counselor as empathic, consistent, attentive, and dependable, they will do
well in treatment (Tan, 2011). This idea that clients do well when the counselor is perceived
positively is true for PCT and CBT.
Like PCT, CBT effectiveness is dependent upon a positive client/counselor relationship.
The theory is born out of behavioral psychology and was founded by Aaron Beck in the 1960s. It
emphasizes the importance of a collaborative effort between the client and counselor and focuses
on how people's thoughts affect how they feel and behave. Tan (2011) "CBT attempts to help
clients overcome emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, and anger by teaching them to
identify, challenge, and modify errors in thinking or cognitive distortions." Seligman et al.
(2021), CBT counselors teach clients to recognize and examine their negative thoughts and
modify their behavior. It is the counselor's job to learn and understand the client's desired goals
and then assist the client in achieving them. The counselor does this by listening, teaching, and
encouraging. Counselors help facilitate this process by working with clients using several
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techniques to assist clients in assessing their negative thinking. At the same time, it is the client's
job to express (voice) their concerns, gain new insight, and adapt their behavior to reflect what
they learned.
Client's Underlying Mechanism
This writer chose to use PCT because it fits well with her personality, beliefs, and
convictions. She believes people can make sound decisions about their life's path. While Marcia
is currently expressing feelings of fear and doubt about her life with some encouragement, She
can reverse such doubt and dissipate her fear. The counselor will work with Marcia to help her
regain control over her life. The client will guide the conversation, and the counselor will not, in
any way, attempt to steer the client in any way. PCT rests on the vital quality of unconditional
positive regard. That means the counselor will abstain from judging the client for any reason
completing accepting and supporting her (Cherry, 2017). On the other hand, CBT will assist
Marcia with challenging her irrational beliefs about her illness and death. The counselor will
help Marcia obtain some clarity regarding how her thoughts and emotions affect her behavior
and relationship with her husband, daughter, and others.
Treatment Strategies
From a PCT perspective, the first and primary treatment objective is to improve Marcia's
self-worth. The counselor will help her freely and openly express her feelings and thoughts
throughout the therapeutic process. In addition, any decision made will be Marcia's, not that of
the counselor's. The session will be a judgment-free environment, meaning the counselor will not
judge or reflect her own opinions on Marcia. This way, Marcia becomes the expert/owner and
operator and the counselor the encourager and supporter. As an encourager and supporter, the
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counselor will employ the core techniques of PCT – empathy, congruence, and unconditional
positive regard when addressing Marcia's poor sense of self (McLeod, 2019). The counselor will
be genuinely authentic, utilizing active listening to help Marcia resolve her self-worth issue. One
way to do this is to restate what Marcia said. For example, when Marcia said, "I feel like curling
up and dying." The counselor restates Marcia's statement by saying, "what do you mean by you
feel like curling up and dying?" Doing this allows Marcia to hear and rethink her statement. It
will also help Marcia learn how to express herself more constructively. This process continues
throughout the counseling process, placing the focus on the client – Marcia, power to resolve her
issues, not the counselor. The counselor's job is not to solve Marcia's problems; rather, facilitate
the process.
While improving Marcia's self-worth is the first and primary objective, expressing her
desires, needs, and feelings constructively without being disruptive is also a primary objective.
The counselor will utilize CBT, which is highly effective in treating depressive disorders, to help
Marcia accomplish this objective. The purpose of this treatment approach is to address Marcia's
core belief regarding a particular behavior. For instance, Marcia gets angry with her husband
because he does not support her binging episodes. When Marcia gets depressed, she overeats and
then complains about gaining weight. Marcia's husband tries to talk to her about it, but Marcia
gets angry and yells and screams. Marcia says her husband should support her because he knows
she is depressed, and eating makes her feel better. This way of thinking is irrational. Thus to
mitigate Marcia's anger issue, the counselor will introduce Marcia to Beck's 7 Steps Model for
Anger. First, the counselor will help Marcia understand that getting angry is a choice. The
counselor will give Marcia an exercise that will help her weigh the cost and benefits of her anger.
For instance, the cost of her being angry with her husband could be too high. It can lead to
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marital issues (separation or divorce) and, even worse, greater health concerns (high blood, heart
attack, kidney problems, etc.). Next, the counselor will focus on replacing Marcia's should
statement. Such as "he should support me." This statement could be reframed to "I wish he
would support me." The counselor will also help Marcia assess the real issues behind her anger –
what really hurt. Examining what hurt will help Marcia recognize and understand her core belief
about herself and others and then cultivate within her the belief that she can change. Marcia
needs to recognize her trigger buttons and channel her anger in more productive ways. Finally, it
is vitally important for the counselor to discuss and explain the last three steps in the process –
moral disengagement, aggression, and outcome (Cotterell, 2021).
Christian Worldview
Several counseling approaches have some tenets that line up with God's Word. PCT and
BCT are two of them. PCT's core conditions – empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive
regard are partially aligned with a Christian worldview. Being empathetic is the same as having
compassion. Compassion is a characteristic of godliness. As Christians/children of God, we are
given the command to love one another and to love our neighbors. Mark 12:31, "The second is
this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than
these" (English Standard Version, 2001). Congruence deals with how we communicate. We have
a clear, unblocked path of communicating with God through prayer, worship, and Bible study.
All of these lines of communication provide us with answers to life's issues. PCT counselors
promote the same open pathway of communication. Counselors do this by being open-minded
and actively listening to clients' concerns. This active listening helps the counselor summarize
the client's statement, allowing the client to hear, assess and dispute her own destructive
thoughts. John 16:13 declares, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth,
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for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will
declare to you the things that are to come" (English Standard Version, 2001). Lastly,
unconditional positive regard relates to respecting, caring for, and loving others regardless of
who they are or what they have done. "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (English
Standard Version, 2001, Galatians 6:2-3).
On the flip side, unconditional positive regard was viewed as equal to agape love (Tan,
2011). According to Tan (2011), although Rogers' "therapeutic conditions of congruence,
unconditional positive regard, and emphatic understanding as a triad come close to agape love,
they are not equivalent to agape love." Other problems with PCT as it relates to the Christian
perspective include its flawed view of humanity. The theory claims humans are inherently
motivated toward positive growth (Tan, 2011). Humans are God's creation, created in his image.
Without God, we are sinful, wicked, and our hearts are filled with deceit. "The heart is deceitful
above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it" (English Standard Version, 2001,
Jeremiah 17:9)? PCT can also foster a spirit of selfishness with its self-actualization tenet. The
self-seeking person faces dire impacts. That is why the Bible teaches against being self-seeking
and teaches selflessness instead. Philippians 2:4 – "Let each of you look not only to his own
interests but also to the interests of others" (English Standard Version, 2001).
As for CBT, there is an adequate amount of biblical support to integrate it with a
Christian approach. Tan (2011) argues CBT has numerous strengths and is likely the most
fruitful approach to explore Christian integration potentials. According to Tan (2011), research
conducted by McMinn and Campbell called for the integration of behavioral therapy models
within a Christian framework to obtain a more balanced, biblical, and consistent holistic
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approach. CBT promotes the need to create a counselor/client relationship that exemplifies
warmth, empathy, and genuineness. This relationship is reflected in the biblical love chapter –
First Corinthians 13 that is found in scriptures. The theory allows biblical truth to have its
rightful place in the therapeutic process. According to God's wisdom, it is attentive spiritual
meaning, experiential, and mystical elements of life and faith. John 14:26 – "But the Helper, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to
your remembrance all that I have said to you" (English Standard Version, 2001). A profound
focus on clients' thought processes and behavior sometimes underlie problematic feelings and
employ spiritual truth when implementing behavioral change and cognitive interventions. It
works to bring about inner healing, emphasizing the Holy Spirit ministry, using prayer and the
Bible to facilitate dependency on God, not self-sufficiency (Tan, 2011). Philippians 4:13 – "I can
do all things through him who strengthens me" (English Standard Version, 2001). While mostly
all CBT techniques and core conditions align with the Christian worldview, key questions are
still unaddressed. Questions like those regarding "transcendence and spirituality, self-deception,
the nature of emotion, and the meaning of being fully and truly human" (Tan, 2011).
For me, as a Christian counselor, my foundation lies in the truth of God's Word. Still, I
gleam some insight from various professional resources, including other counselors, therapists,
academia, and theories and practices. These resources are God-given, but I lean and depend on
the Holy Spirit as my guide. I, too, like a pastor, am an ambassador of God in this grand and
exciting journey of assisting people in transforming their lives for the better. Thus, when we hear
the cry from the soul of those hurting, it is our call to respond. The clients/parishioners we serve
come to us because they are broken and vulnerable. They come to us looking for a glimpse of
hope, a word of encouragement, and a hand of support. Our task and challenge are to provide
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them with insight, warmth, support, and encouragement that will guide them toward God, who is
our healer. "For I am the Lord, your healer" (English Standard Version, 2001).
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many approaches a counselor can draw upon to develop their
own personal theoretical approach to counseling. It is important to ensure the theories selected fit
well with the counselor's personality and preferred style. This novice counselor researched and
chose two theories she felt best fits her personality – PCT and CBT, and meet the presenting
client's needs. An in-depth summary of the theories is outlined to include the demographic,
background, emotion/sensations, thoughts/actions, and family and cultural systems that
influenced the client's distress. Key mechanisms of the theories are explained to give the reader
some foundational knowledge of how the therapies work with each other. The basic concepts
include building a good client/counselor relationship, promoting self-efficacy, understanding
how thoughts influence behavior, dissipating negative thought patterns, and replacing them with
positive ones. PCT was used to build the therapeutic relationship and promote self-efficacy
within the client. On the other hand, CBT was used to help the client recognize and challenge her
maladaptive thoughts/beliefs and activate behavioral change. This writer examined journal
articles and textbook readings that proved PCT and CBT work well in an integrative format and
have positive results.
Moreover, studies conclude that while PCT does not align with the Biblical perspective
of humans' dependency on God, it has some positive aspects of the Christian Worldview. For
instance, empathy and congruence conditions. These conditions give credence to God's
command to be our brother's/sister's keeper. Simply put, we are to love, respect, and care for our
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fellow man. Per Ephesian 4:2 – "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as
God in Christ forgave you" (English Standard Version, 2001). CBT is the most fruitful
therapeutic model to be integrated with biblical principles (Tan, 2011).
Considering all that I have studied to complete this paper, I must be totally honest. Given
my biblical conviction, I do not think I can bring myself to do things that do not rest upon Christ
and the Trinity. I am totally for the persuasion of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Spirit. I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. "For in him we live and move and have our
being. As some of your own poets have said, we are his offsprings" (New International Version,
2011, Acts 17:28). With the Holy Spirit as my guide, I know I can be successful and effective in
transforming the troubled, lost, hurt, broken, and oppressed. I know he will lead and guide me
into all truth. And the knowledge he imparts in me will enhance my ability to implement these
two approaches I have chosen effectively. I chose PCT because of its humanistic grounding,
which speaks to our worth in Christ. "Because you are precious in my eyes and honored, and I
love you" (English Standard Version, 2001). For CBT, its major tenet focuses on cognitive
change. This change is a transformation that necessitates of renewing of our mind. "Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you
may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (English Standard
Version, 2001, Romans 12:2). Our minds are the houses of our souls. That is why God instructs
us to keep our minds on Him. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on
thee: because he trusteth in thee" (King James Bible, 1769/2021, Isaiah 26:3).
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