Hawkins & Clinton Book Review: The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical & Transformational Approach PDF

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Hawkins & Clinton Book Review *****-***** Liberty University

HAWKINS & CLINTON

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In the book, The New Christian Counselor: A fresh biblical & transformational approach, Hawkins & Clinton (2015) describe many important concepts for integrative and Christian counseling by utilizing available resources, theories, and practices. The goal of the new Christian counselor is to remain professional and distinctively Christian while staying current on improvements in the counseling field (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 6). These concepts, drawing truth from a variety of sources, are designed to produce healing, lasting change, and spiritual growth in clients. I will highlight eight of the concepts discussed by Hawkins and Clinton, that I feel are important ideas in the book. Possessing the Soul, in Chapter 1, is the phrase that builds on the words that Jesus spoke to his disciples, recorded in Luke 21:19, regarding patience and standing firm in the faith (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 11). Jesus gave the message to expect hardship and not an escape into an easy life. However, Jesus promised that God would be there during people’s crisis and suffering (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p.11). Dependence on God deepens the relationship and this is what is needed to possess our souls and develop spiritual growth (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 72). This statement explains that counselors and clients need to seek refuge in God for a soul transformation that includes intentionally taking ownership of reshaping our thoughts and choices (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 12). Our thoughts effect our decisions, our practices, and our relationships (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 12). The counselor’s responsibility is to keep learning his craft, then use these new truths, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to encourage positive soul-changing freedom in their clients (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 12). The goal being to reclaim the soul and to imitate Christ, for it is only God that can fully satisfy a soul (Hawkins

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& Clinton, 2015, p. 13). The good news is that many clients prefer a Christian counselor that will integrate spirituality into their counseling strategies (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 17). Research has shown that clients with a strong faith become stronger and healthier (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 17). What is Christian Counseling? in Chapter 2, a second concept is defining Christian counseling. The goal for Christian counseling is for clients to become fully devoted followers of Christ, by experiencing God’s pardon, purpose, and power (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 31). This is accomplished as the counselor takes the leadership role by discipling the client through the process of spiritual healing, onto spiritual maturity, and then soul possession by a relationship with Jesus Christ (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 31). Dr. Ron Hawkins points out that clients are seldom completely healed once they have been saved but will need to sort through many levels of deep hurts with the triune God loving, healing, and forgiving (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 32). What is Christian Counseling? in Chapter 2, is the third important idea of the triune God, which is the three members of the Godhead being God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 39). The triune God ministers to a client’s mind, body, and soul, in the Christian counseling process (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 39). Each member of the triune, by invitation, offers freedom and healing from different perspectives for those who seek a relationship with, as we were created for God and in His image. God the Father promises love in, through, and beyond the valley (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 40). The Holy Spirit offers the breath of God himself to overcome the struggles in life, while Jesus Christ freely gives forgiveness, grace, and peace (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 40). The counseling process is best between the client, the counselor, and the triune God, by invitation, that offers healing to the

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soul. The counselor can then teach the client how to invite God in to their healing and how to feel the presence of a living God (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 41-42). Anthropology and Identity, in Chapter 3, uniquely defines the soul in a series of concentric circles. There are a wide variety of counselors and healing treatments available. Some counselors believe problems to be physical, others believe they are relational, and then some believe problems are spiritual (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 69). Because of this, treatments can focus on prescribing medications, treating in the psyche, or focused on the spirit realm (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 69). The approach that Hawkins and Clinton (2015) feel is needed is a holistic approach that should give attention to all three aspects of a person’s being, the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual, beginning with the soul. Hawkins & Clinton (2015) believe that the soul is made up of all three dimensions, the physical, the psychological, and the spiritual and can be visualized in a bull’s eye pattern (p. 79). At the center of our being, made in God’s image, is the human spirit, and if invited, the Holy Spirit also resides (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 79). Moving outward from the center is decisions, feelings, thinking, sinning parts of the soul (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 79). Then beyond that is the body self, the self in temporal system, the self in the supernatural system, where we need to take possession of the soul in the outer rings (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 79). Each of these modalities is addressed in the counseling sessions for a holistic approach to healing and taking possession and shaping of one’s soul. Attachment and Relationships, in Chapter 4 contains the fourth and fifth main ideas in the text, relationships and attachment theory. God exists in relationships (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 113). This was true at the beginning, in Genesis, when God made Eve for Adam as a companion. Focusing on relationships, vertical with God, and horizontal with His people, makes it highly important for a client’s healing, to repair and rebuild broken relationships. These

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positive relationships can help clients heal on emotional, spiritual, and physical levels (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 113). In 1994, A. Shore, explains that attachments are important because they regulate emotions and the brain’s ability to participate in relationships (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 116). He also explains that positive and negative emotions are regulated by the brain’s ability to experience relationships (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 116). When attachment was secured at birth to a parent or care giver, the brain wires itself for safety, however, if that attachment was nonexistent, the reverse is true (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 117). When this happens, emotional destress, depression, and anxiety can result. The hope is for God’s healing and restoration in these cases to lead the clients to find the security and safety that is lacking, then emotional regulating and healing can begin (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 123). Addiction and Idolatry, found in Chapter 5, examines the sixth and seventh main ideas in the text, addiction and idolatry. Addiction is loosely defined as an ongoing sin that has dulled the senses through tolerance that corrupts and deceives (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 141). While many would argue that addiction can be genetics or predisposition, Christian counseling insists that addicts are responsible for their choices (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 141). Idolatry, like addiction, is anything that takes the place of God in one’s life and replaces it with and a person, a thing, or even a destructive habit (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 142). While idols seem harmless at first, they can become a driving force to a sinful addiction. Idols quickly replace the need for God with an obsession that is never fully met. Both addictions and idolatry can be healed, but the process may take years of intentional behavior changes. “Breaking free requires a new, powerful way of perceiving life and a rigorous commitment to spiritual, psychological, and physical warfare.” (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 146).

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Atmosphere and Alignment, in Chapter 7, brings the eighth and last main point in the text. The atmosphere in a counseling session describes more than just the physical space, but the environment that suggests spiritual, emotional, and physical healing can take place in a space that is filled with the loving and forgiving presence of God (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 203). This can be established by adapting to a particular model preference that the client exhibits in a healing alliance with the counselor (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 203). Once alignment of trust is established, the counselor then becomes the vessel used by God to transform hurts into healing and the impossible becomes the possible (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 204). Analysis In the Five Models for Interdisciplinary Integration, the model that best describes the integrative approach that is used by Hawkins & Clinton would be the “Christ the transformer of culture” model (Brewer & Peters, HSCO, Week Two, Lecture Four). In this model, it is believed that God’s truth is found in the Bible and in science in a respectful union between worldviews and professional approaches and perspectives (Brewer & Peters, HSCO, Week Two, Lecture Four). This model also explains that an alliance between science studies and religious truths is the best way to serve the clients (Brewer & Peters, HSCO, Week Two, Lecture Four). If professionals skilled each in their own disciplines can have an open interaction with each other, then integration can be achieved (Brewer & Peters, HSCO, Week Two, Lecture Four). Hawkins & Clinton (2015), refer to this alliance as “Interprofessional Collaboration” citing the benefits of experts sharing their efforts among disciplines (p. 352). Hawkins & Clinton (2015) also describe the need for staying current with the new scientific discoveries as they relate to physical healing. In addition, it is necessary to stay abreast of improvements in philosophical changes to create a holistic model of healing that also includes the spiritual element for a complete healing plan for a

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client. With the use of the internet, professionals from all fields of study can use technology to deepen the interdisciplinary relationships while sharing valuable information. Hawkins & Clinton (2015) believe that a holistic approach to healing begins with a combination of the psychological, the theological, and the spiritual sciences to be successful when assessing or treating (p. 20). They believe that discoveries in science help to enrich the interplay between the physical body and philosophical therapeutic strategies that can help develop more successful models for complete healing. The Hawkins & Clinton (2015) approach has strong similarities with the psychological theories, in addition to many similar truths found in scripture (p. 35). They believe that psychological theory and research gives insight into how thoughts, emotions and behaviors. This knowledge of the interactions of the physiological, cognitive, and neurological levels of a person can elaborate on behaviors and motivations to better apply the Biblical truths more for physical, psychological, and spiritual healing (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 36). Application After carefully listening to my client discuss his past, his challenges as a husband and provider, and his desire to heal from the need for alcohol, I discuss four available treatment options. I receive an informed consent from my client who has recognized a need for counseling and is open to reigniting his faith. The first treatment option would be to come along side my client to gently lead him though the Larry Crabb (1977) Seven Stage Process Model to help my client better understand why he may be relapsing with alcohol (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 4849). The first step is to identify his problem feelings, the second step is to identify problem behaviors, and the third step is to identify problem thinking (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 48). The next three steps become the job of the counselor, teach biblical truths, then use those to

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reshape biblical thinking, and then to ask my client to problem solve biblically (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 48). Finally, the last step is to identify Spirit-controlled emotions (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 48). The second treatment option would be Christian counseling as described by Gary Collins (1993) that stresses the work of the counselor (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 50). The process is for a Spirit-filled counselor to help the client find healing and spiritual maturity (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 50). The counselor in this model needs to be a mature believer that is deeplycommitted and willing to apply his God-given talents, gifts, training, education, and spiritual promptings to the healing process (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 50). The goal is for the client to experience a complete healing, and then to move into an emotional stability, and then grow in spiritually (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 50). The third treatment option is the Paracentric Model, that yields to work of the Holy Spirit, to come alongside or Paraklete, to confront the addiction of alcohol (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 50). This model focuses on Christ as the healer and leader through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The model would be beneficial for a wide range of behaviors that may accompany the alcoholism, such as encouragement, redirecting wrongful thoughts, and warning of sinful behaviors (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 51). Ending with the goal of instruction for spiritual maturity and a fully committed relationship with Jesus Christ (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 51). The fourth option is from Everette Worthington’s (1999) model in which the counselor focuses on the psychological wellbeing and spiritual warfare, recognizing the alcohol addiction as a spiritual battle (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 51). This model will require a great deal of mutual trust and openness to succeed (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 51). Battling in in the

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spiritual realm could help the client both spiritually and psychologically according to Worthington’s (1999) model (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p. 52). The fifth important concept to use with my client is the five Cs of ethical practice that should be used in every counseling situation (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 64). These elements are competence, consent, consultation, confidentiality, and contract (Hawkins & Clinton, 2015, p, 64-66). The practice of competence is being aware of strengths and weaknesses in my field of study and having the ethical responsibility to refer a client when the needs are outside my scope of my training. Competence is also about creating a relaxing environment that is free of stress and confusion. When a client has been given the options available, he is able to give a consent to the approval of treatment options. A consultation is being able to recognize when a client needs to be referred to another for the appropriate help. One of the highest forms of ethical behavior, with a couple of exceptions, is the ability to keep confidential the details of another’s life in the counseling session. Lastly, the contract is a formal agreement between client and counselor that clearly defines and discloses the details of the healing strategies, that include any relevant details and beliefs that are held by the therapist. This transparency can encourage a trusting and open relationship without any misconceptions that may later sabotage the healing process.

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Brewer, G., & Peters, C. (n.d.). HSCO 506 Week Two, Lecture Four: Five models for interdisciplinary integration. [PowerPoint]. Lynchburg, VA: Liberty University Online. Hawkins, R., & Clinton, T. (2015). The new Christian counselor: A fresh biblical and transformational approach. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers....