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 …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 …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