How Psychology and Christianity Can Be Used in Counseling

One of the latest trends in the field of counseling has been the application of psychology, Christian values as well as approaches. Before that, secular psychologists largely operated on a model of bio-psycho-social human behavior and development. It proposes that human beings function and develop according to psychological, biological, and social influences. As such, human beings are largely perceived to be products of their environment and biology, all of which bear the importance of equal magnitude. Later on, psychologists begun to appreciate and recognize the fact that the spirituality of human beings is in direct relationship to the personal lives, and applying the Christian faith seems to suggest that their view of the world is strongly based on the Scripture.

In recent decades, counselors from different parts of the world have really confirmed that our lives are a product of our spirituality, but studies are currently being conducted to confirm that the application of the Christian faith is imperative for life. McLeod (2013) suggests that the initiative to integrate psychology and the Christian faith in counseling has realized a myriad of benefits in the contemporary world. While the classical psychological models and theories are founded on naturalism are insufficient from the worldview of a Christian, not all secular psychology is wrong (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). Indeed, many aspects of psychology are considered positive and helpful, and a close look at them would help to explain why there is a need for integration (Bondi, 2013).

The successful application of Christianity and psychology has featured as a passionate phenomenon for counselors in the modern world. Consequently, the use and belief of the gospel and the scripture are perceived as the most prevalent differences between the Christianity and secular psychology worlds (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). When it comes to integrating the Christian faith and psychology into counseling, the underlying principle (that offers guidance) is the Scripture. It makes counseling practitioners see the clients as people that are suffering from a spiritual state that emanates from the lack of having Jesus Christ in their lives (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015). What is more, the understanding of mental disorder and illness should also be founded on a worldview that is Gospel-oriented. In the end, the therapeutic practice will make use of the Bible to profess healing for clients whilst also glorifying Jesus Christ.

Some elements of the Christian faith can be used to make notable achievements in the field of human services counseling. In other words, practitioners can make use of the Scripture to identify with the needs and inadequacies of their clients, there after proposing a set of spiritual solutions. A typical example is found in the Scripture, where Jesus used his spiritual power to heal a mentally ill person (who was believed to be possessed by demons).

Hawkins and Clinton (2015) provide that integrating the Christina faith and psychology in counseling is based on the firm belief that God is not surprised by our sinful nature. This is because He is conversant with the evil that dwells in our hearts far better than we are aware of, as revealed by the fact that Jesus saw into the hearts of people and was deeply aware of their unique needs. As such, when counselors use such as an approach to diagnosing the psychological needs of their patients, then they stand to make significant scores as far as helping them is concerned.

Finally, the spirituality of human beings is in direct relationship to the personal lives, and applying the Christian faith seems to suggest that their view of the world is strongly based on Scripture. Jesus used this approach to understand the unique needs of his congregation. What is more, he tapped into their psychological aspect in delivering the message of the Gospel to them. This calls for Christian psychologists to seek as many opportunities as possible to bring change to communities, institutions, research work, schools, and others.