Christ-Centered Therapy Review

Christ-Centered Therapy
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Christ Centered Therapy by Anderson, Zuehlke, and Zuehlke attempts to integrate psychology and theology into a wholistic counseling approach. The authors explain that all counseling operates from either a Christian or an alternative spiritual worldview. The belief that it is possible to treat persons psychologically in a values-neutral manner is a myth. No therapist is values neutral. Values are the very lifeblood of all counselors do with their clients. Patient-therapist similarity with regard to religious values may be one of the best predictors of a successful outcome. The authors examine, compare, and contrast the four primary worldviews currently in psychology which are humanism, utopianism, new age, and Biblical. They agree that Christian therapists in nonprivate domains have the right and obligation to counsel Christian clients from a biblical perspective.
They explain that the evangelical Christian community is defined by several nonnegotiable core beliefs but beyond that there are diverse strategies in Christian counseling that the authors examine. They range from secular psychology by Christian practitioners to "Bible only" methods that reject all psychology. The authors then attempt to find a balanced integration of theology and psychology. It centers on helping a client to realize his new identity in Christ. The authors present a Biblical strategy for Christian counseling that involves three levels of conflict and seven steps to freedom. The seven "Steps to Freedom in Christ" is process that the counselor assists the client in working through where a person takes a moral inventory and makes a commitment to truth.
In order for a counselor to be effective he must be growing himself. Several recommendations are for growth are given. The subject of assessing client's spiritual condition is examined. The obstacles in counseling in the marketplace are discussed and an explanation of how to present the Gospel in that setting. Issues involving the reality of managed care are also considered. A large section of the book is given to the subject of counseling tools. A summary is given concerning each of these tools. They include cognitive-behavioral therapy, theophostics, and a therapy plan for the following issues: bonding; early recollections; eating disorders; grief and loss; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; parenting issues; anxiety disorders; depression; boundaries; dissociative identity disorder; marriage communication; sexual addiction; and chemical addictions.
The book examines the issue of the professional Christian therapy and the church community as a collaborative partnership. A model for the interrelationship between the church and the Christian counselor is given. This includes how to establish a freedom ministry in the local church and the logistics and related issues in organizing such a ministry. Finally there is an extensive appendix that includes forms to be used in counseling ministry within the local church.
At the center of the book is Neil Anderson's 7 steps to freedom. This treatment plan is both Biblical and practical. I am confident that in many cases the 7 steps have brought individuals into new levels of freedom and wholeness. Yet the authors seem to promote the 7 steps as a panacea for nearly every mental health disorder. In my opinion this may be too simplistic and unrealistic. I also feel the book falls short in being a definitive integration of psychology and theology. This is unquestionably a Herculean task that was valiantly engaged but I felt the book fell short of fully satisfying this objective.
Despite its shortcomings, Christ Centered Therapy is a valuable work that should prove to be a wonderful resource for pastoral counselors and Christian mental health professionals as well as a quality textbook for seminaries and Christian colleges. The authors do a good job of exposing the anti-Christian bias in psychology and of explaining the different views of counseling in the Christian community. They have a great respect for the power of God's Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in counseling. I particularly appreciated the tool kit section, which presented various conditions and the interventions.

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Depending on whom you ask, the term Christian counseling can mean anything from secular psychology practiced by a Christian to biblical counseling that completely shuns psychological insights. Christ-Centered Therapy thoroughly integrates psychology and practical theology. A book written by experts from both fields, it utilizes the contributions of science in an uncompromisingly biblical framework. Here at last is a powerful resource to help you---pastor, counselor, or spiritual advisor---understand the complex problems of people and address them with the wisdom of God's Word and the power of his Spirit.Insightful and practical, Christ-Centered Therapy unites the wisdom and expertise of pastoral theologian and best-selling author Dr. Neil Anderson and professional Christian counselors Dr. Terry and Julianne Zuehlke. The first part of the book equips you with an understanding of the different issues involved in integrating theology and psychology. The second part helps you turn theory into practical application. You'll also find appendixes that offer personal testimonies, provide professional forms, discuss the role of psychiatry in managed care, and present the Steps to Freedom in Christ.

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