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Running head: COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER

Counseling Review Paper Michael S. Mooney Liberty University

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COUNSELING REVIEW PAPER

2 Client-Centered Therapy

A Client-centered therapy (CCT) is a counseling method that involves the counsellor employing a non-commanding role. This technique demands a close rapport between the therapist and his client. A therapist’s attitude matters a lot in ensuring that the CCT is successful (Strickland, 2001). One of the significant qualities of the therapist includes congruence which is the ability of the therapist to be open and sincere. Empathy enables the counsellor to recognize and appreciate the client’s opinion. CCT also requires that the therapist admits all clients fully without any form of discrimination. Strickland (2001) provides that the main aims of the CCT are increasing self-confidence and frankness between the client and therapist. Client-centred therapy can be seen to be applied biblically in different scenarios, some which support the approach and others opposing it. Support for CCT CCT, according to the Gale encyclopedia of psychology, advocates for things to be done in an orderly way, being truthful and open ( Strickland, 2001). Similarly, from Philippians 4:8-9, we are told that God will be in support of anyone who advocates for things that are right and just, outstanding and pure and that anything that anyone has learned from Him (God) should put it into practice. CCT also requires the therapist to be listening and considerate of the client’s views and decisions even when these decisions seem uninformed. Similarly, from the story of the prodigal son in the Bible, the younger brother asked for his portion of wealth from his father. The father as per the request of the son divided the wealth for the two sons and the younger went to squander it. Additionally, as a therapist, the father showed empathy by allowing his son back after admitting his mistakes (Luke 15:11-32). The CCT is to ensure that the self-esteem and confidence of the client have increased (Strickland, 2001). Biblically, CCT has been applied in

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Matthew 6:20-30 where people are urged to store their wealth in heaven where they are safer and the writer goes further to tell them that they should not worry about what they should eat or dress instead watch how birds are happy yet they do not sow but God takes care of them. Similarly, the client centered therapy is based on the aspect of a close bonding between the client and the counselor (Strickland, 2001). Biblically, in Matthew 11: 25-29, there is a good relationship between God and Jesus; God reveals himself in Jesus by letting things not to be exposed to powerful people but rather little children and Jesus admits that he knows God and that God understands his own son, Jesus. In addition, CCT demands the counsellor to be open and speak the truth without fear. From the bible context, Paul showed sincerity and openness in his vision about the challenges he was undergoing including his thorn (2 Corinthians 12:1-10). Limitations of CCT One of the expectations of the CCT is to make sure that the client’s opinions are guaranteed by the therapist (Strickland, 2001). In contrast to the Bible, Elijah having been frightened by Jezebel, decided to run for his safety and after being tired he asked God to take away his life for he felt he had completed his mission. God instead intervened through his angels and let him arrive at Horeb (1 Kings 19:1-8). Similarly, the CCT requires the therapist not to judge their patients in any manner; instead, they should accept them wholly no matter what differences such as actions (Strickland, 2001). However, from the Bible, there is a contradiction to this view. In James 4:6-11, the author speaks of God conflicting the proud and giving charm to those who are meek, and that people should not judge others, which is contrary to CCT. In addition, the CCT gives hope to the clients but from the Bible, humans are prone to curses for the evils they make, and they are recognized as dishonest (Jeremiah 17:5-10). CCT employs a positive attitude for any person seeking to accomplish whichever task they set out to and that

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they should not be discouraged by anyone. On the contrary, according to the Bible, one should abide by the precepts laid down and not by his own understandings as seen in Proverbs 3:5-8. In conclusion, client-centered therapy having been a secular professional, technology can be assumed to have been used in the Bible context at some point to judge different occurrences. The Bible, just like the CCT, gives hope for life but then and both provide similar and contrasting approaches towards realizing these objectives. The CCT focuses on achieving specified goals such as self-esteem irrespective of the path to follow in achieving such aims. However, with the bible, for a better life, people need to follow and bear the guidelines correctly. The ideas behind the client-centered therapy can be a good proof of why God created us and what he wants us to be. It’s not about knowing ourselves but then letting God fulfil amongst ourselves. Humans should embrace God as their shepherd in whom nothing can be lacked.

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5 Reference

Strickland, B. R. (2001). The Gale encyclopedia of psychology. Gale....