DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENT RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

The student will post 2 replies of at least 200 words by each (per reply). Students must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly sources cited in current APA format (preferably 3), as well as integrating a Christian worldview, with scriptural references. Each reply (2 total minimum) must incorporate at least 2 scholarly source cited in current APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last ten years. Acceptable sources include published books/textbooks and journal articles. Students are also must include integrating a Christian worldview, with Scriptural references. Remember that all papers in this program follow current APA format and are written per APA Professional (not APA student paper) standards. You are encouraged to write your posts in APA formatting, and then in this discussion assignment, please copy and paste your reply into the space provided. A title page for each of your posts is not required when you cut and paste it.

1. Student 1’s minimum 200 words reply (JM):

Hello class,

This past week I have found the readings for this course to be very informative and helpful when guiding the way, I want to be as a counselor in the future. There were a lot of concepts or discussions in Chapter one that I found important or insightful. Below are 5 concepts/thoughts I found that will be helpful to remember when counseling individuals who are suffering.

Remember to hold space for the client who is suffering, but also allow for hope to be brought up in the discussion (Neff & McMinn, 2020).

Be mindful to not stray away when a client is suffering because we do not want them to think God cannot handle their struggles (Neff & McMinn, 2020)

Encourage clients to not use their faith as a crutch to avoid the negative feelings that are associated with their lamenting (Neff & McMinn, 2020).

Understanding theoretical approaches and how they will aide or hinder in the healing process with clients using a Christian worldview (Neff & McMinn, 2020).

Provide a safe space for clients to feel like they can talk about the hard questions regarding their faith in God and their current suffering (Neff & McMinn, 2020). Allowing clients, the opportunity to talk about their struggles with their faith regarding their situation will bring you closer to them and show them that you truly are there to be on their journey with them.

The second question this week revolves around the client expecting the counselor to remove their suffering, and how would you respond. As a counselor if a client was asking me to remove their pain, I would discuss with them the reality of what they are asking me to do with them. According to Neff and McMinn (2020) we live in a world where individuals expect solutions and sometimes quickly. These are important conversations and reminders to have with our clients that we are there to walk through their journey with them while they are healing. Hawkins and Clinton (2015) write about our Christian faith can help guide us when we are on the path of working through years of learned behaviors or trauma. This concept helps me to remember that every step in the right direction is helpful to our clients even if the pace is slow. It will be my job as a counselor to remind them of that. A Bible verse that I recently read that talked about healing and helping one another is James 5:16, “Therefore confess your sins to each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

-Jaymee

Word Count: 442

References

Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical & transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House. ISBN: 9780736943543.

Neff, M.A. & McMinn, M. (2020). McMinn, M. R. Embodying integration: A fresh look at Christianity in the therapy room. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Yancey, P., & Stafford, T. (2011). NIV Student Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

2. Student 2’s minimum 200 words reply (MT):

McKinley Tyler

ThursdayNov 17 at 9:23pm

After reading and learning from the class materials this week, there were five concepts that I found helpful and useful. In my future counseling practice, these five concepts are topics of conversation that could be helpful for me to ask clients who are suffering.

The first question that would be helpful to ask them is if they believe that they have the power to choose what has happened to them. We do not want to live in a world where we cannot make any decisions for ourselves. God honors humanity’s free will (Hawkins and Clinton, 2015). The second question I would ask them is if they felt tempted to cover or “put a tidy bow” on their suffering. I would ask this to see if they felt like they needed to act like everything was alright, to see if they were putting on a front so they did not have to discuss difficult issues. The third question I would ask them is if they believe that lament and hope can coexist. The start of this conversation can be helpful in seeing if they see light at the end of the tunnel. Having a better understanding that lamenting includes suffering, a crying out to someone, and expressing push back of the way things are can be helpful in having honest conversation (Neff and McMinn, 2020). By understanding that in a season of lament one can be sorrowful but still have hope. Psalm 40:1-3 echos this idea. When we cry out to the Lord He will answer us and put a new song in our heart (English Standard Version, 2001). The fourth question I would ask them is if they have any spiritual defenses up. As a counselor, I do not need to deny their faith in anyway, but I should push back on whatever subject they are protecting. The final question that I would ask them would be if they are pressing and sitting into the lamenting process. By sitting in it, they are able to fully process the full range of emotions that comes with whatever they are sorrowful about. Out of these five, I would particularly emphasize that there can be sadness and hope at the same time.

In response to my client’s question, my response would be that we live in a fallen and sinful world. I myself cannot take away what they are feeling, but I would assure them that I am in the thick of it with them doing the best I can to walk with them through this hard time. I would talk about the fact there is still hope even when everything seems hopeless. I would try to give them a different perspective and encourage them that God is near and He is doing all things for our good and for His Glory.

References

English Standard Version Bible. (2001).

Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical &

transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House. ISBN: 9780736943543.

Neff, M. A., & McMinn, M. R. (2020). Embodying integration : A fresh look at

christianity in the therapy room. InterVarsity Press.

Word Count: 471