Christian Counseling: Perspectives

This introductory class sets a foundation for Biblical counseling. (1) Victor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning, among the ten most influential books in America, sheds profound light on suffering, something unavoidable, but that can be framed into ultimate meaning and value.  (2) The ultimate goal of Biblical counseling, gaining freedom from bondage, necessitates walking in forgiveness. R.T. Kendall's book, Total Forgiveness, will inform this study. (3) Counseling in Times of Crisis explores the complexities of crisis counseling and juxtaposes it with the goals of long-term therapy. 


Specialized Counseling & the Mental Health Professional

The Complete Guide to Crisis & Trauma Counseling, by the renown Dr. H. Wright, is the most comprehensive resource available for pastors, Christian therapists and lay counselors who want to offer the right kind of care to hurting people.  (An interactive instructional DVD training program is available which  shows therapy sessions, critiques and methods that support and supplement the text.)

The Therapist's Workbook, by Jeffrey Kottler, guides mental health professionals on a journey of self-reflection, offering a concrete platform to make therapeutic work more professionally effective and personally fulfilling.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Comparative Methods

This class is the perfect blend of an academic and practical approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  Areas that will be covered include the development of effective coping skills, the building of self-confidence and the elimination of self-doubt, as foundational skills. The issues that will be covered under that umbrella include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, personality disorders, PTSD, self-harm, suiidality, and psychosis.  Alternate therapies will be analyzed through a biblical lens.  
Text:  The Comprehensive Clinician's Guide to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, by Sokol and Fox