Prayer in Counseling Continued

Nick Roy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:05:53 +0000

Mark McMinn (1996) describes four types of prayer that may be used in the field of Christian counseling. Counselors may silently pray for clients during pauses in conversations, counselors may also pray for clients outside of sessions. I believe these two forms of prayer are always beneficial and should be implemented by the Christian counselor. The final two types of prayer that McMinn (1996) describes are when counselors orally pray with clients during a session and when counselors encourage clients to pray outside of sessions. I believe these forms of prayer may be, but are not always appropriate. When prayer is unwanted or causes the client to become uncomfortable it actually becomes counter effective and may be detrimental to the process of helping and healing. We as counselors should be open to yet cautious when using prayer in counseling settings.

References

McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality: In christian counseling. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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Prayer and the Holy Spirit in Counseling

Nick Roy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 17:05:21 +0000

A counselor who is a Christian has the initial challenge to develop a powerful, personal prayer life. Such a spiritual and prayer life, or lack thereof, will directly impact the understanding, approach, and use of prayer in counseling. McMinn (1996) states that the use of prayer in session is not what should be in question, but what forms of prayer with which clients and under what circumstances. It is important to remember that seeking to help a client find and build a healthy sense of self, need, and healing relationships means that a counselor cannot use prayer as a coercive means to control or as a mask that the client can use to cover deeper issues (McMinn, 1996). Therefore, it is imperative for a client to be open and willing to take part in prayer and not be forced into participation.

Brewer (n.d.) indicates that possible negative impacts of prayer could be the development of dependency on the counselor rather than God, self-consciousness, putting on a mask, and breach of boundaries. To caution against these negative outcomes a counselor can use prayer for clients outside of the session, silent prayer in session, meditation outside of session, and imagery in session, to name a few (Brewer, n.d.). What are important are the comfort level of the client and the appropriate use of prayer suited specifically for the circumstances.

References

Brewer, G. (n.d.). [Prayer and Christian Counseling]. Liberty University.

Brewer, G. (n.d.). [Prayer for Psychological and Spiritual Health]. Liberty University.

McMinn, M.R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Chrisitan counseling. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.

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South Florida Psychotherapy, Substance Abuse Counseling, Psychotherapy Research » prayer in counseling

Prayer in Counseling Continued

Prayer and the Holy Spirit in Counseling