“Christian Integration in Counselor Education” by John Allen King and Kristy Ford -Chapter 13 Summary, Interaction, & Application

Summary

Chapter thirteen of “Christian Integration in Counselor Education” by John Allen King and Kristy Ford, focused on exemplifying that the values and code of ethics established by the counseling profession all align with Biblical principles. One of the authors of this chapter, Dr. Shannon Warden, begins by sharing that her counseling education was predominately secular, but that she always worked toward a natural approach to integrating her Christian faith into her role as a clinical mental health counselor. Dr. Robyn Trippany Simmons, the second author of this chapter, works as a therapist supervisor.

The first portion of the chapter expresses the desperate need for CMHC programs and how the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of 2023 anticipates the job outlook for counselors to be above average compared to many other professions (King-Ford, 2024). The demand for licensed counselors is due to the rise of people in the general population who are experiencing mental health issues that are multifaceted due to the growing stressors that people face in society today. “…In 2019, 52.9 million adults in the United States experienced mental illness” (King-Ford, 2024, p. 181). The Bible is packed full of guidance for people regarding issues that involve anxiety and depression, along with a host of other common human cognitive struggles.

The next portion of chapter thirteen focuses on how the standards of CACREP flow in the same vein that the Bible has already established. The top value for CACREP is holistic wellness, meaning to be well, spiritually, mentally and physically, throughout the entire lifespan of human growth and development. CACREP standards also have a strong emphasis on cultural diversity and the necessary sensitivities to such cultural differences when counseling. The Bible is full of stories about how people of different cultures relate to one another. Galatians 3:28 confirms that all people have a pathway to being united, as this verse says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (New King James Bible, 1982).

In the following section the chapter lists key standards that the ACA 2014 adheres to. A.4.b. Personal Values, at face value seems to be a bit of a tricky one to navigate. However, to sum up this concept, it works toward assessing current spirituality of the client and gently navigating to their wellness, at a pace that they are comfortable with, regardless of their religious background. In the following section the chapter discusses the ASERVIC’s Competencies for Addressing Spiritual and Religious Issues in Counseling (2009) in regards to counselor self-awareness, communication, and diagnosis and treatment.

Counselor integration of Christian principles can be seen from the point of recruiting for the degree program, admission into the program, through the core curriculum, and through the adherence to the ethics of the profession. The chapter points to the ACA’s six foundational values, which are: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, fidelity, and veracity. All of these values have been radiating throughout the themes of the Bible, both through the experiences in the people who lived during Biblical times and through the encouragements that Paul brings through much of his writing to the various church bodies during his time and to the collective church that remains in present time today!

Nearing the close of the chapter expresses the requirements of field classes and supervised work with the help of certified supervisors who work toward training emerging counselors. An example of a second-year master’s student, entering his clinical experience is provided. The student experiences conflict with professionalism and his client assignments. This example rises questions of how the supervisor could hypothetically respond to the situation. This section responds to the conflict by remembering the fruit of the Spirit, and also, the needed academic gatekeeping subsection required in the CMHC standards. The chapter concludes with concerns that pertain to counselors-in-training as individuals and their needed efforts to engage in a plan of study, engaging in continued research, engagement in leadership and advocacy lastly, engagement through unique situations that may occur (King-Ford, 2024). Also, in the conclusion, the chapter emphasizes the wellness of the faculty and support that they provide along the way and require themselves. Administrators’ wellness and support are acknowledged and the chapter provides the reminder that the integration of Christian concepts may face ridicule from other more secularized thinkers and trainers but that this persecution provides room for resiliency throughout the journey of education. Lastly, the chapter provides further questions for discussion and the references used to support the work.

Interaction

My initial response to this chapter was highly positive. After reading it, it felt like music to my ears, or cool river water to my feet on a hot summer day. Several of the textbooks that were required for the previous courses that I have taken in this degree program had few, to no, Biblical references and it left me feeling more unsure about if the mental health counseling profession was the best fit for my personal goals, but after reading this chapter I felt a fresh surge of academic hope and excitement.

The first insightful observation that I made during reading this chapter was that the six ACA preamble standards all have scriptural support. The counseling profession does not appear to have any overt agendas that are in direct opposition of the Christian faith. In fact, those who are not Christians, especially atheistic thinkers, I wonder how their personally developed values or personal ethical moral code aligns with the ACA standards. I wager, that in many ways, they may have more challenges with acclimating to the counseling profession that Christian counselors may experience. Autonomy, to a degree, is indorsed in the Bible because there are reminders in the Bible, such as Romans 13:8, which says, “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (New King James Bible, 1982). The concept of beneficence is thickly woven throughout the stories in the Bible about giving and seeking providence for the less fortunate. The goal of steering away from causing any nonmaleficence, within the counseling profession, seems as if it should be an obvious given, however, I appreciate that this value is included as it is highly important and the concept appears in the medical field as well when medical professionals are reminded to do no harm. Justice is always a goal; however, I am reminded that many times, with trauma victims, it feels as if justice is far away from being a reality for the perpetrator. In many cases, the traumatizers will not face the true consequences that they deserve, however, God does remind humanity that justice is His to achieve in the end. “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (New King James Bible, 1982). Both, fidelity and veracity radiate in the gospels as God calls His children to be full of faith and full of honesty, even when it is inconvenient in the moment of the circumstances that may feel as a ferocious storm.

The second insightful observation that I made during the reading of this chapter was that there still seems to be a gentle dance of sorts when considering clients who have differing beliefs that do not coincide with Christian beliefs. For example, counselors need to consider how they may need to respond to clients who may be in same-sex relationships, pursuing an abortion, or maybe they are considering going through a sex change (Evans, 2021). “Counselors are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors” (American Counseling Association, 2014, A.4.b. Personal Values). Because I have worked in the field of academic advising for the last twelve years, I feel that I have a strong basis for handling many different types of people who possess a variety of values. In the counseling profession, it is important to adhere to not imposing personal attitudes or beliefs, however, if a client is openminded and asks about Christian values, then this gives opportunity for a counselor to respond with resources that support Christian principles.

The third insightful observation that I made during the reading of this chapter was that, as an emerging counselor, I don’t have to stifle or ignore the fruit of the Spirit in the least, but that more than ever, the spiritual fruit can shine from the coursework in the degree program, to my future interactions with my supervisor during my practicum and internship, and through advocacy events and continuing education experiences as well. Admittedly, in some of the previous textbook readings, I had moments of discouragement when considering perceptions that clients might potentially have with me being a white male. I felt concerned that the respect would be difficult to earn from minority groups because they may view me as an overly privileged person. After reading this chapter, it has genuinely ignited fresh hope for me when I consider that my Christian faith does not need to be left on the sidelines of the football field, so to speak. Instead, my faith acts as the helmet, shoulder pads, and other protective gear that helps go with me, as I charge into the game of the counseling profession!

Application

When I dwell on how to apply the information from this chapter to my current state of life, I am reminded that there truly is a way to relate scripture to every aspect of the counseling profession. Even textbooks that may be less scripturally supported, I can relate the scripture that has already been written on my heart to the readings and concepts that I learn about in the future. The application of, and opportunity for, extending love to people is universal. All people, from every cultural background, recognize what true love and kindness consists of. As a student, and emerging mental health counselor, I see the counseling profession as a powerful outlet for me to extend the healing love that Christ has already extended to humanity on the cross, through his death, resurrection, and ascension back into heaven. I can clearly see how the ACA 2014 standards and Biblical standards are both driving in the same direction, there is really no conflict between the standards and that does feel as a breath of fresh air to my lungs. I feel that I can pinpoint more accurately the standards of CACREP, the ACA 2014, and ASERVIC in conjunction with the Biblical standards that I have grown up with adhering to.

For so long, I have seen many people with such high levels of anxiety, depression, hopelessness, sexuality struggles, and past traumas. The collective research in the previously summarized chapter indicates that mental health issues will only continue to grow for people in every stage of life and their development. I have worked in the field of higher education, at a public state college in Florida, in the department of academic advising. Due to the scope of the position, I have felt as if I was very limited in the types of issues that I could delve into with the college students that I serve, even though I knew they were struggling with mental health issues. Considering the more in-depth counselor-client relationship, that I will experience in the future with clients, brings joy to my heart because I will have the needed tools for empowering clients for their own healing journeys. Now, I see more clearly on how I can integrate Christian core values into the counseling profession.

In conclusion, chapter thirteen of “Christian Integration in Counselor Education” by John Allen King and Kristy Ford has given me insight into the standards of CACREP, the ACA 2014, and ASERVIC in how they truly do align with the Biblical standards that God set from the beginning. All of these standards, I can apply to my life currently and in the counseling profession. The integration of the Christian faith can, and does, occur from before entry into the counseling education program and it persists throughout the learning process, supervision experiences, and then is sustained after licensure and the support of the profession.

References

American Counseling Association. (2014). 2014 ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/ethics

Evans, C., Brown, D., & Davis, J. (2021). Professional counseling from a Christian worldview. Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 24(3), 309–326. https://doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2021.1885004

King-Ford (2024). Christian Integration in Counselor Education. Kendall Hunt Publishing - Custom Wholesale. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9798385150601

New King James Bible. (2004). Thomas Nelson (Original work published 1982).