I have been struggling with several different aspects and theories of counseling as my MFT program comes to a close over the next 11 weeks. The DSM IV TR is a book used in the mental health field to diagnose anything ranging from depression to sexual function disorders and we have to use this book regulary as a professional.
One aspect I have been wrestling with is the nature to diagnose someone with a particular disorder and then travel a particular path for treatment for the diagnosed disorder. As a professional I will use my needed resources to give someone the best treatment he or she deserves. However, as a Christian (I cannot really separate professional from Christian, but to understand my perspective and clarify where I am coming from hopefully you understand.) I am on journey to be Christ like and in love with God and be free of a sinful life or anything that would separate me from God.
The struggle comes because the Bible teaches that our relational problems here on earth is really about an eternal relationship with God. To have this kind of relationship we must face our sins and our idols that keep us separated from having an intimate relationship with God.
For example if someone is diagnosed with an addiction I believe the real issue they are dealing with is sin and their separation from God. If someone is struggling in their marriage for intimacy there probably is a deeper problem of a sin issue and intimacy with God.
The therapeutic relationship for me is becoming more about how I can be intimate with Christ and reflect His glory in our counseling session. Since the Spirit of God is dwelling in me as one who has obeyed Christ and is walking with Him, then I must walk as he would walk in a therapy session, which means to lead people on a path towards His redemption and their sin and separation from the Creator.
Lantz,
ReplyDeleteYou make some great points. I have struggled with this myself when I was doing counseling/therapy and assessment. Part of the deal is that God has wired us a certain way and due to that wiring there are things like Cognitive-behavioral therapy that work very well to help people deal with things like depression. When it comes to addiction, things get a little more tricky as their are moral issues associated with it. If you are dealing with a Christian who has an addiction it is entirely appropriate to help them see how their faith helps them overcome that obstacle. If you are dealing with a non-Christian who has an addiction then you are starting from a different point with them. Depending on your work environment it may or may not be okay to try to help them see what sin is and how it affects their relationship with God. If it is not okay then you have to use methods that basically utilize the wiring God has given that person to overcome addiction through different forms of treatment. It is hard to do so through a Christian lens if they don't respect Christianity or believe in God.
Let me give a medical model. In medicine, doctors cannot actually heal anything. All they can do is line things up and the body has to heal itself (by God's design). For instance, if a doctor makes a cut and stitches it back up...the doctor does not make that cut heal and the stitches work. God gave the body the ability to heal itself under the right circumstances. Doctors manipulate how the body already functions to heal it. Doctors don't make bodies heal. Bodies heal themselves when doctors do certain things. That is how God made it to be. It is no different when dealing with the mind.
Bottom line, if there is a therapy that is effective even if you cannot discuss God it doesn't mean God isn't in the picture when you help them get well. You are using the natural healing process of the mind to help people think straight again. Now, if a therapy is in direct violation of morality (not many would fall in that boat) then, of course, it has to be avoided. Hope that helps.
Now you make a good point. God is truly working in people all the time. Often I try to reflect on prayer and ask God's Spirit to be present during our time of counseling if the environment is not accepting of Christ. It is amazing when this happens how often God moves the conversation to a spiritual topic and the door swings wide open.
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