Johnson & Johnson (2014) write, “Your troubled parishioners will get better when they work hard in [counseling] to understand themselves, learn new skills, and modify self-defeating beliefs, behaviors, and emotions.” As a pastoral crisis counselor, respond to the following questions: What specific strategies identified in this module/week’s reading will equip you to provide beneficial pastoral crisis care/ministry? What strategies have you discovered in other scholarly research? What strategies have you used or observed?
Response
Certain strategies can assist in equipping those who provide pastoral crisis care. First, Liberty University (n.d.) suggests using a pastoral crisis intervention strategy that uses the acronym SAFER, which stands for stabilizing, acknowledging, facilitating understanding, encouraging coping, and recovery or referral. The process begins with the pastoral counselor building rapport and listening to the facts of the crisis, followed by encouraging the expression of emotions and normalizing the response (Liberty, n.d.). Next, the caregiver provides coping tools, and then he or she assesses whether the counselee is recovering or needs a referral (Liberty, n.d.). In instances where referrals are necessary, W. Brad Johnson and William L. Johnson (2014) assert that referring parishioners to a competent Christian mental health professional is optimal, if the counseling is psychologically sound, scripturally congruent, and Spirit directed (p. 12). Furthermore, Johnson and Johnson (2014) suggest that pastors remain open to referring counselees to non-Christian counselors in certain situations where a competent Christian counselor is not available (p. 12).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Christians with Depression: A Practical Tool-Based Primer (Spirituality and Mental Health)
Johnson and Johnson (2014) explain that success in counseling is at least partially attributed to “modifying self-defeating beliefs, behaviors, and emotions” (p. 49). During times of crisis, feelings of shock and confusion can lead to distorted thoughts. Michelle Pearce (2016) explains that Christian cognitive behavioral therapy (CCBT) is a proven strategy that can assist individuals in addressing the distortions (p. 35). CCBT is based on the interconnectedness between thoughts, emotions, and actions, and it asserts that emotions can be modified by changing the way we think and behave (Pearce, 2016, pp. 35-36). According to Alexis Trader (2011), CCBT is rooted in ancient Christianity, and many writings of the Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, and John Chrysostom, reflect the concepts found in CCBT (pp. 16, 53). Even Augustine identified certain relationships currently found in CCBT when stating, “It is impossible for a man’s acts to be evil, whose thoughts are good, for acts issue from thoughts” (Trader, 2011, p. 63). Scripture also supports CCBT concepts. For example, in Luke 6:45 Jesus states, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good” (New American Standard Bible).
Personally, I have used Christian based cognitive behavioral therapy for several years. When individuals experience crisis, it is common to experience it within the context of loss: a loss of a job, a loss of a marriage, or a loss of a loved one. A cognitive distortion that often accompanies loss is personalization. Personalization occurs when the individual takes responsibility for an event outside his or her control, and often results in piling guilt on top of the feeling of loss (Pearce, 2016, p. 70). Through empathy and inquiry, the counselor can often assist the counselee in recognizing that God is in control, and the belief that humans have control over events outside of their control is an illusion. Once personalization is recognized and thoughts are re-aligned with the truth that God is in control, the emotion of guilt often dissipates.
[Word Count 499]
__________________________________________
References
- Johnson, W. B., & Johnson, W. L. (2014). The minister’s guide to psychological disorders and treatments. New York: Routledge.
- Liberty University. (n.d.). Models of crisis counseling [Video presentation]. Retrieved from https://learn.liberty.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-28693574-dt-content-rid-345592251_1/courses/PACO604_B02_201920/PACO604_LUO_8wk_DEV_ImportedContent_20160929093339/PACO604_Presentations/Models%20of%20crisis%20care%20%28LMS%29/res/html5.html
- Pearce, M. (2016). Cognitive behavioral therapy for Christians with depression: A practical tool-based primer. West Conshohocken, PA: Templeton.
- Trader, A. (2011). Ancient Christian wisdom and Aaron Beck’s cognitive therapy: A meeting of minds. New York: Peter Lang.
