COUN 506 Discussion Board Week 8-Reply 2

COUN 506 Discussion Board Week 8-Reply 2

The below assignment has been written by another student. Please
read it very carefully and reply to it by providing 200 words, apa
format, at least 2 or 3 citations in addition to course textbook.
When you reply to classmates, comment on the validity of their
approaches, point out any weaknesses or flaws in the approach, ask
for clarification, suggest alternatives, etc. Your work should be
original. Entwistle, D. N. (2010). Integrative approaches to
psychology and Christianity (2nd ed.). Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.
McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in
Christian counseling (Rev. ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale
House.A sensitive Christian counselor must not automatically and
quickly confront obvious sin in the life of the counselee.
According to McMinn (2011) sin is part of mankind due to original
Sin and this sin goes to the root of one’s being which directly
impacts one’s relationship with God. Confronting someone’s sin is
not just about addressing a certain behavior but a much deeper
heart issue that requires the work of the Holy Spirit and
transformation in the life of the client. This is not an issue that
should be taken lightly and develops over time through a trusting,
empathetic, and hospitable therapeutic relationship. McMinn (2011)
mentions four perspectives to confronting sin which are silence,
pondering, questioning, and direct censure. I think counselors may
overlook the benefits and usage of silence in confronting sin even
though this is beneficial and allows the client to “work out their
feelings of guilt and questions of blame on their own” (McMinn,
2011, p.167). Counselors may feel uncomfortable with the silence
and feel that they need to say something to direct the conversation
or ‘help’ the client along but in reality silence may be just what
the client needs. In the specific case study of Jean, I think the
counselor needs to use great caution in confronting sin in her
life. This woman has clearly faced varying degrees of abuse and
mental instability along with condemnation from Christians who
should have unconditionally loved and embraced her. Jean has never
had a consistent Christ-like relationship modeled in her life,
sadly even from a pastor and his wife. This is a time where the
therapeutic relationship of the counselor is more important than
ever. Jean does not need to be told of her sins, her lifestyle, or
the bad decisions she has made but instead she needs the loving
embrace, trust, and acceptance from the counselor. I am not saying
the counselor accepts Jean’s sin but she needs to love an accept
Jean and allow God to address the sin in her life. Jean needs to
discover the healing that can come from a relationship with God
modeled by the counselor. I believe in the case of Jean, the silent
approach to confronting her sin may be effective. It sounds to me
as if Jean is aware of bad decisions she has made and doesn’t need
to be told. The pondering approach may also be beneficial to help
Jean find clarification and may help uncover emotions and
connections due to abuse she experienced as a child that led to her
teenage and adult decisions that resulted in bad consequences. I
don’t think there is a best time to confront Jean’s sin but would
be a gradual part of the healing process through the counseling
sessions and as the therapeutic relationship strengthened and Jean
felt more and more comfortable and safe sharing her thoughts,
feelings, and experiences. Breana K.

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