The Formation of Counselors, Part 3-- Society for Christian Psychology

[Shannon Wolf, PhD, LPC-S, is an Associate Professor in the Master of Arts in Counseling program at Dallas Baptist University. She specializes in trauma counseling and in combating human trafficking. She is our blogger for the month of April and this is her fourth and final post.]

Over the last few of weeks, I?ve shared my thoughts on a distinctly Christian Psychology pedagogical approach to be used in graduate programs. This week?s blog concludes those thoughts but not the conversation. There is still much work to be done in our universities and seminaries as we work to glorify our Lord through our disciplines.

Transdisciplinary Approach

During the 2010 Society for Christian Psychology conference, Alan Tjeltveit suggested that the term transdisciplinary could replace the better known term, interdisciplinary. Transdisciplinary connotes the sum of knowledge concerning individuals which encompasses a variety of disciplines and professions. While most members of the Society for Christian Psychology are typically psychologists and therapists, Eric Johnson began a collaborative effort with theologians, philosophers, and other specialists in their disciplines in order to gain more knowledge about people and how to best provide soul care. By creating a community of those interested in the human condition, a deeper understanding of God?s work can be achieved.

In fact, the Society for Christian Psychology?s firm commitment to promoting a multiple disciple approach to learning is confirmed to by the renaming of their journal, Edification: The Transdisciplinary Journal of Christian Psychology. Authors from various disciplines, such as theologians and philosophers, frequently contribute to this journal.

Johnson?s appeal for expanded dialogue echoes that of others. A prime example is McMinn and Moon?s work with the disciplines of theology and philosophy as seen in their call for the exploration of the spiritual classics; which they termed soul-o-logy. By emphasizing the writings of the early church fathers and philosophical thinkers, soul-o-logy encourages professionals to think deeply about biblical truths and the intricacies of the heart. Therefore, to best understand the intricacies of the heart, a transdisciplinary approach is necessary.

In developing a transdisciplinary Christian Psychology program, consider the following suggestions:

1. Professors from the human science disciplines meet regularly to discuss current interests in their fields, thereby creating a transdisciplinary culture.

2. Counseling program requires students to take classes in another human science discipline or even minor in a discipline such as theology or philosophy.

3. Guest speakers from different fields of study are invited to lecture in counseling classes.

4. Human science professors offer symposiums throughout the semester for students from all disciplines.

5. Research papers require information from various disciplines.

The list of recommendations is not exhaustive but a starting point. The necessity of exposing counseling students to knowledge and wisdom outside of the counseling field is vital. Indeed, a uniqueness of Christian Psychology programs is found in the appreciation of contributions made by various disciplines as they work in conjunction to glorify God.

Concluding the Discussion

?Worldviews are like sand at a picnic; they get into everything? (Bufford, 2007, p. 293). As well they should! That worldviews permeate all areas of life is the precise reason that professors of Christian Psychology programs must develop curricula that purposefully engages students? foundational assumptions about life. Consider the words of C. S. Lewis (1955, p. 22): ?The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts.? The mission is not to eliminate students? core beliefs from the counseling process?even if that were possible. Rather, it is to engage, challenge, and refine those presuppositions that students bring with them to counseling programs.

The task of exploring worldviews in the classroom can be, however, challenging. When educators lack a mental framework for how to navigate a discourse on core presuppositions, the notion of including a worldview approach to pedagogy is easily dismissed. In the absence of a well-articulated life-view, student counselors learn to compartmentalize that which pertains to their profession and the way they view human nature. Without a holistic approach to counseling instruction, new professionals may lack awareness of that which most influences their decisions inside the counseling room.

The goal of assisting students in developing professional worldviews is a worthy one. This task may require more than re-shaping traditional teaching methods; it may also require students to adjust the way they learn. By engaging new information is such a way that it is evaluated in light of existing worldviews, students are able to examine both the new material and their assumptions. When this method of instruction is accompanied by introducing students to knowledge from other disciplines, the problem of information fragmentation and compartmentalization is accounted for as students are encouraged to think broadly about the human condition. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, for students to fully grasp how personal life-views influence the counseling profession, professors must become authentic models of professional worldviews; allowing students to witness the practical application of a belief system in the profession.

That professors influence students? life-views is not the question?we do. At times our influence is subtle and at other times overt. A colleague once commented, ?As a professor, whatever I do, however I do it, I am creating changes ? for better or worse? (Rick Yount, personal communication, 2011). For Christian Psychology professors, the challenge is to intentionally focus on the hearts of our students as we present our science in hopes that those changes will impact our profession for the glory of God.

References

Bufford, R. K. (2007). Philosophical foundations for clinical supervision within a
Christian worldview. Journal of Psychology and Christianity 26 (4), 293-297.

Lewis, C. S. (1955). The abolition of man: Reflections on education with special
reference to the teaching of English in the upper forms of schools. New York, NY: Macmillian.

Source: http://christianpsych.org/wp_scp/the-formation-of-counselors-part-3/

London 2012 Soccer dwight howard Olympics closing ceremony PGA Championship 2012 John Witherspoon george michael usain bolt