Counselling Theory:
Christian Perspectives
This unit offers a critical survey of the major current approaches to counselling from a Christian perspective, with special attention to the ways in which these approaches tackle widespread personal and interpersonal problems. Issues addressed will include the conceptual adequacy and the ethics of models such as psychoanalytic, behavioural, humanistic/existential, cognitive - behavioural, object relations and family systems theories. The attempt will be made to balance theoretical and theological issues with an emphasis on practical service and therapy.
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When & Where Offered
This subject is offered in semester 2 2008 at Macquarie University Campus on Tuesdays 6-9 pm.
Classes will be held weekly for a semester of 13 weeks, three hours a week. After several weeks of input by the lecturers concerned, it will take the form of seminar sessions with an emphasis on discussion following a relatively brief presentation.
Lecturer
Ms Rose Weir, B.Min., M.A. in Theology, Australian College of Theology, M. Ed. (Adult) University of Technology, Sydney, M. Couns., University of New England. Full Member: Association of Personal Counsellors, Full Member: Society of Counselling and Psychotherapy Educators (SCAPE) PACFA Reg. No. 20298.
Unit Code & Details
IN428 (MCSI 240/340) Counselling Theory: Christian Perspectives
This unit is equivalent to a standard semester unit at advanced level. For example it is worth:
3 credit points at 200* level towards Maccquarie University undergraduate degrees
4 credit points at 400 level towards Australian College of Theology undergraduate degrees.
For advice on how to credit this subject to other institutions please contact our advisor.
*Note: from January 2008 MCSI units are no longer able to be credited at 300 level towards Macquarie Undergraduate Degree programs. Students enrolling in this unit will receive 3 credit points at 200 level.
Prerequisites: the equivalent of 6 months (1 semester) full time study (4 subjects) of university level study should be completed before enrolling in this subject. (Students not meeting this prerequisite can request permission from MCSI Dean to enrol)
It is recommended but not required that students have completed either or both of:
Worldview Survey: IN301 (MCSI 100) or
Bible Survey: IN302: (MCSI 101)
Unit Content /Lecture Topics
1. Classic Psychoanalysis: pansexualism, psychological determinism, transference, the unconscious.
2. Jungian Therapy: collective unconscious; complexes; wholism and religion.
3. Neo-Freudian Ego-psychology; Object relations therapy; the place of relationships.
4. Behaviour Therapy: behaviour modification and personal totality.
5. Rational Emotive Therapy: links with stoicism; the centrality of thought within personality.
6. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy: Beck's direct and focussed treatment; Bandura's person-environment interaction.
7. Person-Centered Therapy: creative listening; optimism; self-emphasis.
8. Existential Therapy: Kierkegaard's emphasis on anxiety, choice, becoming; Frankl's "will to meaning".
9. Gestalt Therapy: "unfinished business"; presentism; relative lack of theory, emphasis on techniques.
10. Family Systems Therapy: family solidarity and relationships; family determinism and individual differentiation.
Assessment:
MCSI 240:
1. One 2,000-word essay: to be presented during the course of the unit. 40%
2. One 3,000-word essay due at the conclusion of the unit. In this essay it is expected that: (i) the candidate will give a brief accurate description of the approach to be dealt with; (ii) the conceptual, ethical or pastoral problem will be defined succinctly; (iii) a Christian perspective be outlined which is relevant and appropriate; and (iv) the emergent evaluation be clearly argued and justified 60%
MCSI 340:
1. One 4,000-word position paper addressing a major evaluative issue as outlined under unit objectives (worth 60% of the final grade and due at the conclusion of the unit).
2. One 2,000-word essay dealing with issues raised in the unit and presented in class in seminar format (worth 40% of the final grade).
In these essays it is expected that: (i) the candidate will give a brief accurate description of the approach to be dealt with; (ii) the conceptual, ethical or pastoral problem will be defined succinctly; (iii) a Christian perspective be outlined which is relevant and appropriate; and (iv) the emergent evaluation be clearly argued and justified.
Texts & Readings
1. Jones, S.L. & Butman, R.T. Modern Psychotherapies. Downer's Grove: IVP, 1991.
2. Anderson, R.S. Christians who Counsel: the Vocation of Wholistic Therapy. (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1990).
Suggested Additional Reading:
1. Anderson, Neil T., Zuehlke, Terry E., Zuehlke, Julianne S., Christ Centred Therapy - The Practical Integration of Theology and Psychology, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000.
2. Barker, P. Basic Family Therapy. London: Blackwell Science, 1998.
3. Barton, S. The Family in Theological Perspective. London: T & T Clark, 1996.
4. Benner, D. & P. Hill. Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counselling, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999.
5. Blazer, D. Freud v God. Downer's Grove: IVP, 1998.
6. Chapman, G. C., "Jung and Christology" in Journal of Psychology and Theology, 25:4, 1997, 414 - 426.
7. Corey, G. Theory and Practice of Counselling & Psychotherapy. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole, 1996.
8. Duek, Alvin C., Between Jerusalem & Athens - Ethical Perspectives on Culture, Religion, and Psychotherapy, Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1995.
9. Entwistle, David N., Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf and Stock Publishers 2004
10. Evans, C. Stephen, Wisdom and Humanness in Psychology - Prospects for a Christian Approach Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989
11. George, R. "Rogers and the Wonderful Counsellor" in Carer and Counsellor, 8:2, Spring 1998, 31-35.
12. Graham, L.C. Care of Persons, Care of Worlds: A Psychosystems Approach to Pastoral Care and Counselling. Nashville: Abingdon, 1992.
13. Hawkins, R.S., H. Siang & A.A. Turk. "Secular versus Christian Inpatient Cognitive - Behavioural Therapy Programs: Impact on Depression and Spiritual Well-Being" in Journal of Psychology and Theology, 27:4 (Winter 1999) 309-318.
14. Hurding, Roger F., Roots and Shoots - a guide to counselling and psychotherapy London: Hodder & Stoughton 1985
15. Johnson, Eric L., & Jones, Stanton L., (Eds) Psychology & Christianity, Downers Grove, IVP, 2000.
16. McMinn, Mark R., Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counselling. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1996.
17. Shafranske, Edward P., Religion and the Clinical Practice of Psychology, Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1997.
18. Sperry, Len, 2001 Spirituality in Clinical Practice Philadelphia PA: Brunner-Routledge
19. Van Leeuwen, M. The Person in Psychology. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.