Competent to Counsel - Ch 9

Summary

This chapter addresses the danger of developing dependence on counseling. Nouthetic counseling tries to avoid this danger by the way it is structured: in the early sessions, the counselor takes the lead and tries to help clients solve the initial problems they present by suggesting biblical responses to them. Then in later sessions, the client is encouraged to come up with biblical responses to problems on their own. They are given homework to do in which the client themselves come up with a list of problems, either themselves or jointly (if married). This helps them to communicate about issues if its a couple, or merely to indentify issues that they deem relevant. Then they are given the task of solving their problems on their own by referring to their homework book in which they list their actual responses to their problems, possible biblical responses, what they should have done, and what they must do now. Later they can mark their progress by what homework assignments were completed. "Counselors often know that clients are ready for dismissal when they discover that they are beginning to solve unassigned problems on their own initiative."(Adams, p. 196) Solving their own problems biblically gives them hope and this "snowballs positively."(Adams, p. 199)

The iceberg method: Take the secondary or smaller problems being presented seriously so that you can dig down deep and get to the heart of the matter much quicker. This is helpful for the client in relieving some of their tension, but also can be a clearer way to teach principles.

The author is an advocate of team counseling, backing the use of it up with the scripture reference Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, and has assumed team counseling throughout the book. (A surprise to me!) He lists the benefits of it, such as filling in the gaps, providing more witnesses, learning by example, cross-evaluation to learn what they are doing wrong, etc.

And finally, a note of encouragement for counselors whose counselees are adamant against change: these are the people who may be very ready to take the step and obey God, and the nourhetic counselor should not back down but rather "challenge the client to take the next step in faith."(Adams, p. 209)

Personal reflection

This is the second time this week I've heard of the iceberg analogy. The first time was in my coaching class yesterday. I love how these two things are tying together like this, and its just confirmation that I'm on the right track. :)

Scripture

Proverbs 11:14 14 Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Adams, J.E. (1970). Competent to Counsel. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.