Assignment: Counseling Suffering Clients

Assignment: Counseling Suffering Clients

Permalink: 

Assignment: Counseling Suffering Clients

Required Text Books:

Entwistle, D. N. (2015).  Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity (3rd ed.).  Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock.  ISBN: 9781498223485.

McMinn, M. R. (2011).  Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (Rev. ed.).  Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.  ISBN: 9780842352529.

In 500 words, consider how to counsel suffering clients: The class lectures, Entwistle, and McMinn text books all discuss the concept of suffering and factors guiding how we counsel those who are suffering.  In fact, a careful reading of the Reading & Study materials indicates numerous concepts and principles that we could apply as we counsel those who are hurting.

1. Considering the numerous points that were made, make a list of at least 5 concepts (“questions to ask myself as I counsel those who are suffering. . .  “) that you found particularly helpful, insightful, unique, or had not thought about before.  What guidelines would you particularly emphasize as you counsel hurting people?
2. Then consider this client’s statement: Client: “Dr. Counselor, I have been coming to you now for six weeks.  I am not sure that counseling is working.  I don’t feel any better now than when we started talking.  Why are you not helping to remove this pain that I am feeling?”  If your client expects that you help to remove the suffering, how would you respond, based on what you learned from your study for the week?