Integration of Faith & Counseling

Faith and counseling share an integrative relationship in both the personal and professional areas of my life, and faith provides energy, motivation, and direction for change. I became a Christian in order to live out my thankfulness for the healing God gives through Christ (2 Cor. 2:2-5), and I became a counselor to share healing with others. One way I integrate faith and counseling is by integrating Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) with Christian principles for both my personal growth and professional counseling.

Personally, I strive to identify irrational beliefs, using the Word of God as a mirror. This gives me the opportunity to replace the irrational lies of Satan with the truths of God, thus transforming and renewing my mind (Rom. 12:1-2). In this way, faith changes me, and influences me as a counselor. By using the Word as a spiritual mirror (James 1:22-25), I am empowered to make informed changes in my life, leading to spiritual maturity. I strive to reflect the image of my Creator in my thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and I experience peace in this process as my core beliefs and behaviors more closely reflect God’s Spirit within me.

Professionally, I use a framework that blends REBT with this reflective growth process based on Christian principles. I place a high value on the therapist-client relationship because I view counseling as an opportunity to model for clients the unconditional acceptance and love God has for them. Because God created each person in His image (Gen. 1:27), people are more than flesh and blood. They are spiritual beings with spiritual needs; therefore, I encourage clients to explore their spirituality and to use the Word of God as a mirror in which they can see their spiritual reflection (James 1:22-25). As clients identify irrational beliefs, I use REBT to assist them in replacing these beliefs with healthier options. By honoring the spiritual nature of clients and integrating a spiritual perspective with REBT, I enable clients to make informed changes leading to holistic maturity and peace.

Relationship of Spirituality and Religious Beliefs to Therapist’s Theoretical Orientation

Integration of Spirituality in Counselor Training