Do you pray within counseling sessions?
There comes much discernment in dialoguing through spiritual elements within counseling. There must exist the ability to read the client holistically and be open to opportunities that grant time for prayer, and or spiritual / religious dialogue.
While in session, assumed prayer may not always be beneficial. Rather, listening for opportunities for prayer, and narrating that thought process may be a more beneficial path?
Perhaps the client was sexually abused by their pastor. Maybe the client was forced to pray for hours on end as a child in a psychologically abusive manner. What if the introverted client never learned how to pray and never returns to counseling due to embarrassment or fear. Whatever …show more content…
It may not always happen. There can be a time and place for routine prayer. Church, mealtime, etc. In your own life, you are in control of how and when those happen. Scripture gives us insight into when and how to pray but eventually, being human, we are the ones who will make our own choices. To take a persons 'decision making ' ability away from them would discredit their own strength and journey. It would be going against ethical guidelines. Part of the story includes making sure the client is autonomous.
Whats the difference between prayer and meditation?
I am always open to prayer. I sometimes will ask if prayer is needed within session. Personally I am uncomfortable with (and scripturally bound not to) praying to a deity other than my own. I am, however, open to practices of self rejuvenation such as meditation or yoga if they do not oppress my own beliefs. This becomes then a matter of the mind, and common sense. If Im meditating, I am not emptying my mind. Instead will be filling my mind with (Philippians 4:8) things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Usually that filters down to be Jesus.
Within prayer, we must ask, "Who or what is the
There comes much discernment in dialoguing through spiritual elements within counseling. There must exist the ability to read the client holistically and be open to opportunities that grant time for prayer, and or spiritual / religious dialogue.
While in session, assumed prayer may not always be beneficial. Rather, listening for opportunities for prayer, and narrating that thought process may be a more beneficial path?
Perhaps the client was sexually abused by their pastor. Maybe the client was forced to pray for hours on end as a child in a psychologically abusive manner. What if the introverted client never learned how to pray and never returns to counseling due to embarrassment or fear. Whatever …show more content…
It may not always happen. There can be a time and place for routine prayer. Church, mealtime, etc. In your own life, you are in control of how and when those happen. Scripture gives us insight into when and how to pray but eventually, being human, we are the ones who will make our own choices. To take a persons 'decision making ' ability away from them would discredit their own strength and journey. It would be going against ethical guidelines. Part of the story includes making sure the client is autonomous.
Whats the difference between prayer and meditation?
I am always open to prayer. I sometimes will ask if prayer is needed within session. Personally I am uncomfortable with (and scripturally bound not to) praying to a deity other than my own. I am, however, open to practices of self rejuvenation such as meditation or yoga if they do not oppress my own beliefs. This becomes then a matter of the mind, and common sense. If Im meditating, I am not emptying my mind. Instead will be filling my mind with (Philippians 4:8) things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Usually that filters down to be Jesus.
Within prayer, we must ask, "Who or what is the