Christian Counseling Research Articles

Christian Mentorship for Embracement of the Sacrament of Marriage in Ogembo Town Catholic Church, Kenya

This study focuses on the role of Christian mentorship in embracing the sacrament of matrimony in Ogembo Town Catholic Church. The study argues that today, in the church membership, there is a serious inconsideration of the institution of marriage as a sacrament to a height that some even opt to substitute it with temporary arrangements (cohabiting) for living together without officially being married in church. Such temporary arrangements can be dissolved whenever either party desires. Many Christians seem to have lost commitment to conducting church marriages. A triangle theory of love and social capital theory was used to enucleate the arguments of the paper. The target population of the study was 400 participants. However, the actual sample size of 120 participants (comprising 2 priests, 4 catechists, 6 married Christian couples, 6 Christian counselors, 93 cohabiting Christians, and 15 local church leaders from all the 15 local churches that compose Ogembo Town Catholic Church) was used to collect data using a questionnaire, interview schedules, and Focused Group Discussions. The study found that: The response of young Catholic Christian couples to mentorship marriage programs was not appealing to many of them, Christian role models are wanted in the church such that the young couples have no admirable lived experience of role models that encourage them to regularize their marriage in church The study recommended that the Catholic Church should emphasize a lived marriage faith that is not only for those married but also for future church marriages; those leading marriage programs to be people of real marriage sacramental life.

Spiritual Development with Changes in the Social Behavior of Christian Prisoners

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between Spiritual Guidance and Changes in Social Behavior of Prisoners in Class 1A Penitentiary Cipinang, Jakarta, Indonesia. This study uses a quantitative survey research methodology. The data collection technique applied a Likert scale with four answer choices which were distributed to 87 inmates and 40 respondents were sampled. Ethical clearnce was obtained to conduct the research. The results showed that the Spiritual Development variable had a score above the average of 21 prisoners or 77.5%, so it can be said that the Spiritual Development of inmates was good. Meanwhile, the variable of Change in Social Behavior of Prisoners is above the average of 18 inmates or 70%, so it can be said that the Change of Social Behavior of Prisoners is also good. The results of data processing thus clearly showed that there is a correlation between the variables of Spiritual Development and Changes in Social Behavior of Prisoners of 0.528 or 52.8%. This means that the applied Spiritual Guidance has a positive role in Changes in Social Behavior of Prisoners in Class 1A Penitentiary Cipinang, Jakarta, Indonesia. This article is an important contribution for Christian counselors and educators to further guide them in improving the spiritual development of inmates as a pattern of social behavior change, because it can also serve the purpose of improving the personality of prisoners.

A Single Case Study of a Spiritually Integrated Christian(Pastoral) Counseling : Focusing on the Theories of Conn, Sperry, and Kwon

A Single Case Study of a Spiritually Integrated Christian(Pastoral) Counseling : Focusing on the Theories of Conn, Sperry, and Kwon

A Study on the Christian Counseling for Seceders from New Religious Movement

A Study on the Christian Counseling for Seceders from New Religious Movement

The Therapeutic Intervention and Role of Christian Counseling on COVID-19 Group Trauma

The Therapeutic Intervention and Role of Christian Counseling on COVID-19 Group Trauma

Christian Counsellors’ Experience of Hearing from God for their Clients: An Interpretative Phenomenological Approach

Hayley Barnett https://doi.org/10.52456/WACJO211 Download PDF of article Abstract Background: The integration of spirituality in counselling is now more acceptable in the counselling profession. Research has tended to focus on the use of spiritual interventions with clients, rathe

A Study on the Self-Realization Ambiguity of Modern Women in the View of Christian Counseling

A Study on the Self-Realization Ambiguity of Modern Women in the View of Christian Counseling

A Qualitative Exploration of Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery: A Spiritually Integrated Treatment to Address Trauma

This article provided a brief overview of the Strategic Trauma and Abuse Recovery System (STARS), including its theoretical foundation, theory of change, and the process of the treatment model. STARS is a spiritually integrated treatment model first developed in a Christian counseling environment. We desired to learn if the clients who had completed this therapy were able to describe the process of therapy and whether those descriptions would align with the treatment model as described. Nine ( N = 9) participants who had successfully completed STARS participated in this qualitative study which reviewed the process of therapy. Our findings indicated close fidelity to the treatment model. Participants reported improvement in mental health symptoms, improvement in relationships, and improvement in spiritual well-being.

A Study on the Certification System and Applicability of Professional Counselors of the Korean Christian Counseling Psychology Association

한국기독교상담심리학회 전문상담사는 기독교 상담사라는 점으로 인해 일반 상담 영역에서 크게 주목받지 못하고 교회나 기독교 상담과 관련된 임상 현장에 국한된다는 인식이 있었다. 때문에 상담사로서 그 전문성에 대한 연구가 미진하였다. 하지만 코로나19 등으로 인해 급변하는 현대 사회에서는 인간 존재에 대한 깊이 있는 성찰과 인간관을 가진 상담 이론의 확장 및 상담사들의 활동이 더욱 요구되고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 한기상 전문상담사의 전문성과 특징, 활동가능성을 살펴보고자 활동분야, 타학회 상담사들과의 자격제도를 비교분석, 상담사의 특성과 확장 가능성을 살펴보았다. 이를 통해 상담사로서 전문성을 확보하기 위한 자격제도를 갖추고 있으면서 기독교 정신을 바탕으로 한 영성, 관계성 등의 상담 전문가로서의 역량은 물론, 하나님의 사랑을 바탕으로 한 기독 상담사의 소명 의식과 정체성을 가질 수 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.

A Study on Introspective Repentance in a Psychoanalytic Perspective and the Role of Christian Counseling and Pastoral Care

기독교인들에게 있어서 회개는 신앙 성숙과 인간발달의 중요한 행위이자 과업이다. 본 연구에서는 성서의 사례를 중심으로 정신분석적 철학 및 관점에서 기독교 공동체에서 행해지는 회개에 대해서 살펴보고, 의식 수준의 회개를 넘어 심리 및 영적 성숙을 촉진하는 무의식적인 내면에 대한 자기 통찰적 회개의 필요성과 어떻게 정신분석적 접근이 유용할 수 있는지를 고찰하였다. 이를 위해 기독교 공동체 안에 피상적이고 인지적 수준에서의 회개 방식의 문제점을 지적하였으며, 이러한 문제를 해결하는 방안으로써 왜 정신분석적 접근을 통한 무의식 수준의 자기 통찰적 회개가 필요한지를 논의하였다. 또한 정신분석적 접근을 통한 자기 통찰적 회개의 심리 및 영적 성장의 유익에 대해서 고찰하였으며, 끝으로 기독교인에게 자기 통찰적 회개를 어떻게 도울 수 있는가에 대한 기독교 상담 및 목회적 조력 방안에 대해서 논의하였다.

REBT와 기독교적 상담이론의 비교

It was discovered through the researcher's supervisions that many Christian counselors and Christian clients realized there were similarities between REBT and Christian Counseling theories and they wanted to have a clear understanding of this. However, there are few research articles on the topic. Therefore, this study was to try to compare the similarities and differences of REBT and Christian Counseling theories, in order to help counselors' conceptual understanding of the two theories and provide suggestions for future development of REBT theory. This study was done through bibliography researches.
 The results show that there were similarities in the two theories on the human nature, in terms of human dignity, source of unhappiness, how to get peaceful mind and human emotion. And 4 counseling stages in the two were similar. But there were differences in pursuing counseling objectives: rational thinking in REBT, and following God's principles according to the Bible in the Christian Counselings. And REBT showed practically helpful techniques more in emotive, behavioral approaches for the clients.
 Several suggestions were made, such as applying meditation, making use of language and imagination, Socrates style discussion, passive attitudes and guilt feeling & etc. by collaborating the two theories for the development of REBT theory. And the need for future research was mentioned.

Counseling in the Already, Not Yet

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this article reflects on the work of the Christian counselor through an eschatological lens, specifically exploring the notion of what it means to counsel in the “already, not yet.” The counseling process is presented as a place in which the dialectics of this eschatological tension are present and outworked. Pain and suffering are encountered and explored as the counselor stands in solidarity with the sufferer, and yet the Christian counselor also anticipates hope and the power of change in the present, particularly as ushered in by the eschatological Spirit of God. To this end, the author explores three practices, as undertaken by the counselor, that demonstrate a sensitivity and ability to minister effectively in the tension of the already, not yet—companioning, lament, and re-storying.

Counseling in the Already, Not Yet: Reflections on the Work of the Christian Counselor Through an Eschatological Lens

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this article reflects on the work of the Christian counselor through an eschatological lens, specifically exploring the notion of what it means to counsel in the “already, not yet.” The counseling process is presented as a place in which the dialectics of this eschatological tension are present and outworked. Pain and suffering are encountered and explored as the counselor stands in solidarity with the sufferer, and yet the Christian counselor also anticipates hope and the power of change in the present, particularly as ushered in by the eschatological Spirit of God. To this end, the author explores three practices, as undertaken by the counselor, that demonstrate a sensitivity and ability to minister effectively in the tension of the already, not yet—companioning, lament, and re-storying.

교회분쟁 트라우마를 겪은 작은교회를 위한 기독(목회)상담적 접근

This study focuses on the conflicts that the Korean church has recently been experiencing from a Christian(pastoral) counseling perspective. It examines trauma from this church conflict. In addition, it is an example of an Autoethnographic study that was conducted on a small church requiring the influence of pastors instead of a large church. This approach is based on Internal Family System(IFS) Theory and Post-Traumatic Growth(PTG) Theory. Following the church conflict, he also proposed a Christian(pastoral) counseling approach for churches, pastors, and congregations. The approach was proposed with two perspectives, which were a Christian liturgy (preaching) perspective and a practical perspective.

Interreligous I-Thou Encounter

The lack of communication with the wider social context and the persistent problem of one-sided communication are the challenges facing the church today. To borrow Pual Knitter’s words, this problem may lie on the fact that Korean Christianity is built on the total replacement model. Within this frame of mind, Christians listen to religious others only to replace them with Christianity. However, when we take globalization into our consideration, Korean churches need to be equipped for the new landscape in which their potential congregants live. More religious as well as cultural diversity exists today in South Korea than a generation ago. The possibility of encountering religious others as clients is wide open. When I take globalization into consideration, it becomes a more mind-boggling question as to how I can initiate I-Thou relationships with religious others. In this study, I will look into some ways to bring about transformation within the context of interreligious care and counseling based on my personal experience. What I want to accomplish through this study is to explore ways for spiritual care and counseling to be transformative, particularly in an interreligious care and counseling setting. I attempt to investigate the usefulness of the RCT model for interreligious spiritual care and counseling settings in light of the wisdom of scholars’ endeavors in interreligious dialogue. I am drawn to the RCT model as opposed to traditional Freudian theory, especially for the interreligious care and counseling setting. Here, I would like to expound how the RCT model puts an emphasis on mutuality between counselors and counselees by reconceptualizing the meaning of countertransference. Mutuality within the RCT model will be discussed with Martin Buber’s I-Thou framwork and John Gottman’s relationship theory. In addition, I will look into the necessity of interreligious counselors and those they counsel developing a differentiated self. I wish we Christian counselors and ministers could value and further celebrate the otherness of religious others in our care settings. Then, spiritual care and counseling could be life-giving and transformative.

심리적 외상의 플래시백(flashback)에 대한 기독교상담적 이해와 인지행동치료 전략의 응용

이 연구는 심리적 외상의 플래시백에 대한 이해와 인지행동치료 전략의 기독교상 담적 응용에 관한 문헌연구이다. 외상 후 스트레스장애(PTSD: post traumatic stress disorder)의 특징 가운데 하나는 외상 사건 이후에도 심리정서적으로 그에 버금가는 증상을 다시 경험하게 되는 것이 문제이다. 그것은 외상에 대한 고통스럽고 끔찍한 기억이 되살아나는 것으로서 마치 외상의 시간과 공간에 다시 존재하는 것 같은 경험 이다. 이를 ‘플래시백’(flashback)이라 하는데, 이 용어는 외상 경험에서 얻어진 기억들 이 비자발적(비의지적, 무의도적, 무의식적) 심상(imagery)으로 나타난다는 것이다. 이 러한 플래시백은 기억을 가진 인간으로서 외상 사건을 경험한 사람은 누구든지 자연 스럽게 겪는 현상이다. 하지만, 이를 잘 해결하지 못하면 기분장애, 범불안장애, 사회 공포증을 비롯하여 다양한 심리정서적 문제와 더 나아가 영적 문제로 악화될 수 있 고, 삶에 부정적 영향을 미쳐 삶의 질이 저하된다. 외상 기억에 대한 플래시백을 해결 하는데 효과적인 방법은 인지행동치료로서 플래시백 치료를 위해 내담자의 기억에 새 로운 의미를 갖도록 하는데 초점을 맞추어야 한다. 인지 재구성은 외상 사건에 대한 해석을 꾸준히 바꾸는 작업으로서 플래시백에 긍정성을 덧입히는 것이다. 이 연구에서는 첫째, 인지 재구성과 반복 심상의 중요성을 설명했다. 인지행동치료 의 상호적 억제이론에 따라 사건에 대하여 적극적으로 긍정성이 덧입혀지는 인지 재 구성이 플래시백을 약화시킬 수 있다. 둘째로 인지적 유연성 강화로서 플래시백과 기 억을 회상하게 하는 촉발적/촉매적 단서 간의 연결고리를 차단하거나 약화시키는 것 의 중요성을 설명했다. 임마누엘 요법은 하나님이 자신과 함께 하셔서 위로와 지지해 주시는 장면을 심상하는 것이 기법이다. 촉발적 단서들이 외상 기억으로 연결되지 않 도록 하기 위해서는 단서에 대한 과민성을 감소해야 한다. 플래시백에 대한 심리적 유연성을 갖도록 하는 것인데, 단서나 증상에 대한 심각도를 낮추고, 비반응성을 높이 는 것이 치료적 전략으로 활용되어야 한다.

PANDANGAN POSTMILENIALISME DAN SUMBANGSIHNYA BAGI PEMULIHAN KONDISI MENTAL ORANG KRISTEN PADA MASA PASCA PANDEMI COVID-19

2020 is a tough year for humans due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has attacked all sides of human life. One of the most affected is the human mentality, and this mentality must be restored so that in the post-pandemic era, humans can be active and do everything as before. The church also has a duty to carry out this and the church has teachings that can be given to humans in general and Christians in particular as material for healing, one of which is eschatology which relates to the teachings of Postmillennialism. The method of this research is descriptive method with literature study techniques. Some of the characteristics of Postmillennial teachings are: First, Postmillennialists believe that what mankind is waiting for, namely the coming of God's reign, has actually started since the first coming of Jesus. Second, the 1000 year reign is led by Jesus through the church and Third, Postmillennialism believes in the central role of the gospel. From these characteristics, the Postmillennial Viewpoint can contribute to raising hope for the future and as material for Christian Counseling / Pastoral Assistance, contributing to encouraging churches to be actively involved in human life, Postmillennialism Views Encourage evangelism as a human need in the post-pandemic era

기독교 상담의 텔로스 : 기독교 아비투스로서의 상담을 위한 성경적 세계관

이 연구의 목적은 아비투스로서의 기독교 상담을 이해하고 그 기초가 되는 성경적 텔로스를 살펴보는 것이다. 기독교 실천은 성경적 세계관을 담지한 실천이다. 세계관은 세상을 이해하고, 해석하고, 평가하는데 기준이 되는 신념 체계로서 세계관에 따라 삶의 방향은 달라진다. 그러나 개인이 소유한 세계관은 삶의 경험이나 실천과 거리가 있는 경우가 많다. 이런 현실에 대해 James K.A. Smith는 주지주의 세계관 모형의 한계를 지적하며 ‘실천 감각으로서의 아비투스’를 강조한다. 아비투스는 선의식적 차원에서 구조화된 구조화의 성향으로 구조가 담고 있는 텔로스를 지향하는 삶의 무의식적 경향이자 실천 및 환경이다. 구원 드라마는 창조, 타락, 구속, 완성의 내러티브를 관념적으로 제시하지 않고, 구원의 내러티브 가운데 모든 인류를 실제로 참여하게 한다. 따라서 구원 드라마는 하나님의 텔로스를 따라 인류에게 허락하신 기독교 아비투스이며, 구원 드라마의 텔로스는 아비투스로 체현되고 증거되는 성경적 세계관이다. 이런 맥락에서 기독교 상담은 의식 수준에서뿐만 아니라 의식 수준에서 전달되지 않는 성경적 텔로스를 내담자가 경험하고 그 방향으로 내담자의 삶이 형성될 수 있도록 도와주는 일종의 기독교 아비투스로 기능한다. 이에 이 연구는 구원 드라마의 텔로스를 하나님의 영광, 사랑, 언약으로 제시하고, 각 텔로스가 아비투스로서의 기독교 상담 실천에 주는 함의를 탐구한다. 궁극적으로 이 연구는 기독교 상담은 하나님의 영광을 담는 아비투스, 깨어진 사랑의 질서를 회복함으로써 하나님의 사랑을 경험하고 흘려보내는 아비투스, 언약 관계의 회복과 성취를 지향하는 아비투스가 됨을 논한다. 이는 기독교 상담사들에게 하나님의 영광, 사랑, 언약을 담지한 그리스도 닮음의 실천을 촉구한다.

Christian Counseling Readings of Jacob Narrative: Focused on Fairbairn

Christian Counseling Readings of Jacob Narrative: Focused on Fairbairn

Correlations between Social Distancing and Trinitarian Relationality through a Psychological and Theological Analysis: Christian Counseling Implications

이론적 연구에 기초한 본 연구는 Covid-19로 인한 사회적 거리두기 실천과 삼위일체 관계성, 그리고 기독교 상담학적 의미 사이의 역동을 탐구하는데 그 목적을 두고 있다. 관계 지향적인 삼위일체 하나님을 조사하기 위해 perichoresis개념과 Augustine, Gregory Palamas, 그리고 Karl Rahner 같은 신학자들이 상술하고 있는 하나님의 우리와의 관계맺음의 매커니즘들이 논의되었다. Covid-19의 사회적으로 제한적인 조치들이 관계적 성향을 띄고 있는 삼위일체와 기독교인들에게 미칠 긍정적인 또 부정적인 둘 다의 영향들을 조사함에 있어 Buber’s I and Thou와 Moltmann의 십자가의 신학, 이 두 가지의 신학적 요소들이 제시되었다. 사회적 거리두기 실천과 삼위일체 관계성을 기독교 상담과 연결함에 있어 세 가지 치료 방법들을 제안하였다. 그것들은 의미를 찾는 것에 중점을 두고 있는 접근인 Frankl의 로고테라피를 적용하는 것과 가상 온라인 그룹 상담 기술을 활용하는 것, 그리고 사람들의 하나님과의 친밀함과 가족 간의 응집력을 끌어당겨 와서 사용하는 것 등이다.