Crisis counseling i completed

Crisis Counseling

Reviewing Mental Health Vs Spiritual Approach

forPeople in Crisis

Prepared and Presented ByGlen Christie, MS, EdS, ThD,

CASACFaith Bible

CollegeCrisis

Counseling I

Mission and Purpose

Emotional and Spiritual Care Counselors serve initially as a calming presence

At the place of impact and begin the process of “Building a Stabilizing Bridge”

From all responding and supporting groups, elements and resourcesTo the victim who is suffering from trauma, grief and shock!

AndOn to the process of being a survivor who is regaining

Their ability to cope and deal withThe tragedy and begin to move forward

On the journeyOf the reality of the“New Normal”

How does this apply in the “Definition” of Emotional and Spiritual Care?

EMOTIONAL CARE- Addresses the need for those in crisis to express theirfears, doubts and questions without judgment or interruption.

It is about “telling their story” to someone trained to listen.

IT IS THROUGH LISTENING- that responders can tell if a person is betterserved by mental, physical or spiritual services and then serve as afacilitator to give them access to those needed services.

SPIRITUAL CARE- is the vital connection that people need in coping with theevents from their faith perspectives and how to draw from that strength,healing and hope- all vital components of going from victim to survivor astheir recovery unfolds.

What we ARE NOT, or at least SHOULD NOT be

We ARE NOT there to make a diagnosis

We ARE NOT there to determine that you, your family and/or the person in crisis are “CRAZY”, or “IN NEED OF THERAPY”.

We are there to lend a listening ear, provide practical stress management education, and provide referrals and interventions only when necessary.

We are there to help everyone, including “normal” people, experiencing normal trauma, recover from an abnormal event.

What we ARE NOT, or at least SHOULD NOT be...

We ARE NOT there to provide traditional therapy

We are there to provide CRISIS counseling and BRIEF interventions and REFERRALS as appropriate and necessary.

There ARE NO leather sofas, hand holding and/or enabling you to remain in crisis.

We are there to give you prayer, compassion, and guidance as Jesus practiced during His ministry

What is a Crisis?“an emotionally charged significant event

or radical change”

“an unstable or crucial time of affairs in which a decisive change is impending”

“a situation with the distinct possibility of a highly desirable outcome”

“a situation that has reached a critical phase”

Risk Factors

Suicide or homicide

Risk of physical or emotional harm to others

Risk of break from reality (psychosis)

Risk of client fleeing the situation.

Characteristics of a Crisis

Time limited: Generally lasting no more than six weeks.

Typical phases:Traditional attempt to problem solveAttempts to try alternative methods

DisorganizationPeople are more open to changeOpportunity to resolve previously

unresolved issuesSuccessful experience

Crisis Characteristics

Every crisis is complicatedThe disequilibrium of crisis provides

impetus for change (+/-)Brief therapy can help – but it treats

the symptoms, not the causeChoice is essentialCrisis is “universal” because no one

is immune.Crisis is time limited (6-8 weeks).

Reaction to Personal Crisis

Individuals in crisis can:Cope by themselves and grow

stronger from the experienceSurvive the immediate crisis, but

block it from consciousness leading to future problems

Break down from the crisis – putting life on hold unless they receive immediate assistance

Crisis Intervention

Goal is to stabilize the person or family situation and restore to their pre-crisis level of functioning.

Opportunity to develop new ways of perceiving, coping, and problem-solving.

The intervention is time limited and fast paced.

counselor must take an active and directive approach.

TYPES OF EMOTIONAL CRISES

DepressionSuicidalityAnxiety / StressAbusive RelationshipsAlcoholism & Drug AbuseEating Disorders

Symptoms of Depression

Feelings of hopelessnessFatigue / exhaustionSleep difficultiesEating disturbancesPoor concentrationLoss of interest in activitiesThoughts of suicide Difficulty functioning

Suicidality (3rd cause of death for ages 15 - 24)

Shows signs of depressionIncreased use of alcohol or high risk behaviorGetting the means to kill oneselfGiving away prized possessionsIndicating a desire to get even with significant

othersDiscussing suicide or issuesHave made past attempts

Guidelines for Assessing Suicidal BehaviorTake direct verbal warnings seriouslyPay attention to previous suicide attempts Identify clients suffering from depressionBe alert for feelings of hopelessness and

helplessnessMonitor severe anxiety and panic attacksDetermine whether individual has a plan Identify clients who have a history of severe

alcohol or drug abuseBe alert to client behaviors (e.g. giving prized

possessions away, finalizing business affairs, or revising wills)

Determine history of psychiatric treatment

Stress is:

NormalNecessaryProductive and destructiveAcute and delayedCumulativeIdentifiablePreventable and manageable

Stress is a Factor in Many Serious Diseases

100s of Scientific Studies in the last 25 years have implicated stress as one of the multi-factorial causes of disease.

70-80% of doctor visits are related to stress and stress-induced illness.

Stress is estimated by scientists to contribute to 50% of all U.S. illness.

Medium-term Effects of Chronic Stress

Tension, or migraine, headaches Difficult time going to sleep

Upset stomach, problems retaining food Change in appetite

Tightness in chest, back, shoulders Aching jaw, tight forehead

Shortness of breath, dizziness Sweaty palms

Tingling sensation in fingers, toes Nervous tension, heart palpitations

Diarrhea or constipation Constant low grade fever

Cold, or sore throat Rashes, hives, skin irritation

Increased blood pressure Always tired, Fatigue

Excessive sweating Sleep disturbances

Feelings of anxiety Muscle tension and muscle pain

Anger Concentration problems

Depression Any number of other symptoms

Increased appetite Menstrual problems, missed periods

Anxiety / Stress

Anxious mood & overreacting to situations

Inability to concentrate or pay attentionInability to get organizedIncreased procrastinationAnxiety attacks: weakness, dizziness,

shortness of breath, increased heart rate

Difficulty making decisions

Anxiety / Stresscontinued

“Going blank”: forgetting & losing things

Frequent headaches, backaches, tightness in stomach

Frequent indigestion or diarrheaOverpowering urges to cry or run &

hideIncreased use of alcoholIncreased illnesses & accidents

Stress Related Diseases• Long-Term Chronic Stress is One Cause of

Disease• Whereas the medium term effects of chronic stress

are unpleasant, the long-term effects are dangerous and contribute to both suffering and disease:

1. Asthma 2. Diabetes 3. GI disorders - Ulcer disease 4. Myocardial Infarction 5. Cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer 6. Viral infections 7. HIV 8. Parkinson’s Disease 9. Alzheimer’s Disease

Symptoms of Alcohol & Drug Abuse

• Odor of alcohol or marijuana• Slurred speech• Rapid speech• Incoherent• Bizarre behavior: acting out or non-

compliance to requests• Irrational thought process, verbal or

written• Inconsistent class/work attendance

Eating Disorders Danger Signals

• Losing a significant amount of weight• Continuing to diet (although thin)• Feeling fat, even after losing weight• Fearing weight gain• Losing monthly menstrual periods• Preoccupation with food, calories, nutrition

and / or cooking• Exercising compulsively• Bingeing and purging

Common Symptoms

• Excessive procrastination and / or poorly prepared work

• Frequent class absences• Nervousness, agitation, impaired speech,

excessive fingernail biting• High levels of irritability including undue

aggressive or abrasive behavior• Excessive demands on your time• Inability to make decisions

Common Symptomscontinued

• Strange behavior, paranoia, hostility• Marked change in personal hygiene or

appearance• Sleeplessness, lethargy• Sadness or fearfulness• References to harming self or others• Evidence of excessive drug or alcohol use• Crying• Dizziness or fainting

Process

• Assessment• Intervention• Termination • Assessment includes: the stressor

event; the person experiencing the crisis; and the meaning of the event to the person in crisis.

• Important to assess risk factors.

Assessment Triage

• Affect: Anger/HostilityFear/AnxietySadness/Melancholy

• Behavior: ApproachAvoidanceImmobility

• Cognition:Transgression (present)Threat (future)Loss (past)

Planning for Crisis Counseling • Ask the right questions (what, where,

when, how and, in some cases, why)• Identify precipitating events• Establish goals and operational

definitions • Create a crisis response plan with

clearly identified steps• Create and implement response

protocols• Begin ongoing evaluation and

mitigation

Performing the Assessment

• Conducting the interview– History: personal and familial of risk behavior– Any means and plans the client may have

about carrying out the risk behavior– Controls: internal and external that are

stopping the client from undertaking the risk behavior.

• Observations during the interview– Level of anxiety; desperation; despair; sense of

hopelessness; contact with reality.

Focusing on Issue

• The skill and technique most essential at this stage is that of focusing while allowing the client to ventilate and express the overwhelming flood of emotions.

• Focusing technique can elicit more coherent information for assessment as well as help the client pull themselves together cognitively and emotionally.

• A focused interview can serve as an instrument of both assessment and intervention.

Three Types of Effective Active Listening

• Paraphrase - Restating what individual has said in your own words

• Open Question - A question that helps speaker explore feelings (rather than forcing a “yes” “no'' or other certain answer)

• Feeling Reflection - your perception of speaker's feelings based on words, tone & body language

Reasons for Active Listening

• Avoid saying the wrong thing• Dissipates strong feelings• Helps other to accept feelings• Generates a feeling of caring • Encourages others to start listening

back• Increase confidence in the other• Makes other feel important &

recognized

LISTEN for:

• Open-ended questions• Closed-ended questions• Owning feelings• Disowned statements• Conveying understanding• Value judgments• Positive reinforcement• Empathy, genuineness,

acceptance

Roadblocks to Active Listening

• Warning• Judging• Labeling• Threatening• Demanding• Giving

solutions• Criticizing• Name-

calling

• Directing• Lecturing• Ordering• Preaching• Ridiculing• Blaming• Scolding• Analyzing

Helpful Listening

• Listen to how something is said• Be alert for what is left unsaid• You can't hear if YOU do all the talking- Don't

talk too much• Listen with empathy- See the situation from

speaker’s point of view-Try to put yourself in speaker’s shoes

• Do not prepare what you are going to say in response while the other person is speaking

Helpful Listening • Be courteous-don't interrupt• Take notes if you worry about forgetting a

particular point• Avoid stereotyping individuals by making

assumptions about what you expect them to say-avoid your biases when you listen

• Listen carefully so that you will be able to understand, comprehend & evaluate what is said

• Use conscious effort-try to be aware of verbal & nonverbal messages

Physical Set up for Effective Listening

• Pick a quiet location• Ask not to be disturbed• Put the telephone on voicemail• Remove distractions• Create a comfortable atmosphere e.g.

lighting, temperature, etc.

Mental Set up for Effective Listening

• Don’t prejudge• Clear mind of other things• Don’t formulate response while

speaker is talking• Listen for both content & context• If not mentally ready to listen-

reschedule conversation if possible

Warnings

• Danger of misunderstanding the client’s nonverbal behavior as well as spoken words due to cultural differences or the client’s state of disorganization.

• Imperative for the counselor not to assume that they understand what the client means by his spoken word or non-verbal behavior and vice versa.

• It is best to clarify and make sure.

Assigning “Meaning”

It is important for a counselor to understand the meaning a person assigns to an event or an emotion. These can be seen as any of the following:

•A Challenge – to be overcome•A Loss – making change difficult or impossible•A Gain – a sign that one is working to maximum ability

•A Punishment – penance for not doing something right (or for doing something wrong) in the past

•A Reality – to be assessed and dealt with so that it can be reduced to an acceptable level

Learning To Listen

• Factors that influence the way you listen and interpret what you hear Age – Hear and react to things differently Sex – Taught to process and respond differently Education – Orientation likely to have diverse

meaning Past Experiences – Sees things through the

past Perception of Future Expectations and Goals –

Optimistic or Pessimistic

Learning To Listen

Personal Feeling About Individual – Different with people they dislike Feeling threatened (fearful) Intimidated Stereotyped (prejudice)

Current Emotional and Physical Feelings Depression Tired Anxious Disinterested

When To Speak – And When Not To

• Be sensible and turn off the flow• Don’t be so hasty to talk• Lose for words? Ask for more information• Project genuine interest and concern• Timing is important• Keep confidences (build trust)• The right words in the right manner• Teaching, imparting, or giving information

Art of Asking Questions

• Greatly overused – Often used when you have little idea of what to do – stalling

• Know why you are asking a question• Careful not to send nonverbal messages

Judgment or suspicion Blaming Condemnation Hopelessness

Role of Spiritual and Religious Values in Counseling

• Spirituality refers to:– general sensitivity to moral, ethical,

humanitarian, and existential issues without reference to any particular religious doctrine

• Religion refers to:– the way people express their devotion to a deity

or an ultimate reality• Key issues:

– Can the counselor understand the religious beliefs of the client?

– Can the counselor work within the framework of the client?

Jesus Approach to Counseling

• Counseling is a process He didn’t see people as the problem, but someone who has a

problem His drive was based on compassion He accepted people as they were, instead of the way they’re

expected to be He recognized their worth above any rules and regulations

and showing them their worth in God’s eyes Jesus used discernment to see the real needs of the individual,

despite what they may have brought to his attention The very words you will use with the individual is important Jesus emphasized right behavior Jesus sought to have people accept responsibility

Jesus Approach to Counseling

• Jesus encouraged people and gave them hope. He did not provide false hope through minimization or denial

• Jesus placed much emphasis on peace of mind through allowing God to take the burden

• Jesus promoted reshaping or refashioning people’s thinking by focusing on the important issues, or, foundation issues

• Teaching was an important aspect of Jesus’ counseling• Jesus spoke with authority, he was not hesitant, backward, or

bashful• When necessary, Jesus did not hesitate to admonish or confront

and individual

Jesus Practiced What He Preached

• Jesus talked the talk and walked the walk Jesus demonstrated obedience to God He lived a life of faith Jesus practiced a strong and powerful prayer life Jesus was not aloof, He was personal, caring, sensitive, and

not afraid to get involved Jesus used the power of the Holy Spirit by helping others

recognize how the Holy Spirit is active in our lives.

Giving Advice Is a Part of Counseling

• Suggestions – Draw from individual• Options – What if you did ….?• Consideration – Have you considered …?• Possibility – What possibilities ….?• Never! – This is exactly what you need to

do• Most have the ability to resolve their

problem• Teaching is an effective tool

Edifying And Helping

• Promote growth in Christian wisdom, grace, virtue, and holiness

• Assisting in personal betterment Use discernment in accepting their point of

view Don’t take sides Encourage appropriate behavior Don’t minimize situation or needed effort Don’t make assurances or promises for God

Know the eight types of reassurances that can be given

Empathy• From German word meaning “to feel unto”

or “to feel with”• Involves discrimination

Get inside the other person and feeling and sensing with them

Looking at the world through their perspective Getting a feel for what their world is like Ability to communicate this understanding to

the individual Go beyond factual knowledge and become

involved in the individual’s world of feeling

Confrontation• The act of pointing out a discrepancy

between your Christian view and the individual’s manner of viewing reality Is not a negative and punitive attack on

individual May involve some unmasking of distortion

A responsible unmasking of discrepancies, distortions, games, and smoke screens

Involves challenging the undeveloped, underdeveloped, unused, and misused potentials, skills, and resources of the individual

Confrontation

• Purpose is to help individual make better decisions

• Become more accepting of self• To be more productive and less destructive• Confrontation involves commitment

Examine your own Christian beliefs Possibility you could be wrong

Individual may feel misunderstood and rejected Even given with proper intentions, may work against

what we are trying to accomplish Is a constructive act of “bringing close together for

comparison or examination”

Confrontation• Not used during the early phases of

counseling• Individual must be able to understand and

see what you are saying• Should be made in a tentative manner• Contraindications

Individual may try to discredit you through attack of character

May try to change influence your reasoning May use minimization through rationalization May agree with you as part of a game or to

discourage further involvement

Barriers To HelpingPassivity on your part can be frustrating

Listen with nonverbal encouragement, but little or no verbal activity will be questioned.

May interpret as not caring, criticism, or rejection

Dominance can also be a significant problem Over zealous to show what they think they can

do Desire power or the need to dominate Erroneous conclusions Dogmatic pronouncements or interpretations Inappropriate self-disclosure (ego-trip) Construed as interrogation or grilling

Barriers To Helping Create distance between you and individual

Patterns to protect your own discomfort, fears, or anxiety

Providing false reassurance Avoid exploring significant feelings –anger, despair,

anxiety, depression, or subjects that may be uncomfortable – abuse or incest

Emotional detachment (aloofness) Intellectualizing Theorizing Debating or lecturing Moralizing, admonishing, or passing judgment Patronizing or condescending behavior Inappropriate confrontations

Spiritual Approach to Intervention

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. - 2 Peter 1:2-3

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Six Step Model of Crisis Intervention

• Assessing (throughout counseling)• Listening 1. Define the problem

2. Ensure client safety3. Provide support

• Acting 4. Examine alternatives5. Make plans6. Obtain Commitment

Intervention

• The goal of intervention is to restore the person to pre-crisis level of equilibrium, not of personality changes.

• counselor attempts to mobilize the client’s internal and external resources.

• Exact nature of the intervention will depend on the client’s pre-existing strengths and supports and the counselor’s level of creativity and flexibility.

Intervention continued

• Planning occurs simultaneously as assessment is made about how much time has elapsed between the occurrence of the stressor event and this initial interview.

• How much the crisis has interrupted the person’s life;

• The effect of this disruption on others in the family;

• Level of functioning prior to crisis and what resources can be mobilized.

Crisis Intervention Models

The chosen model needs to assess and address:

• Equilibrium – disequilibrium creates a need to regain stability

• Cognition – faulty thinking may need to be changed

• Psychosocial Transition – internal and social change may create a need for new internal coping mechanisms that are adequate to the demands of the crisis

Three Approaches• Affective:

– Expression and management of feelings involving techniques of ventilation; psychological support; emotional catharsis.

• Cognitive:– Helping the client understand the connections

between the stressor event and their response. Techniques include clarifying the problem; identifying and isolating the factors involved; helping the client gain an intellectual understanding of the crisis

– Also involves giving information; discussing alternative coping strategies and changing perceptions.

Approaches continued

• Environmental modification:– Pulling together needed external,

environmental resources (either familial or formal helping agencies)

Any and all three approaches may be used at any time depending where the client is, emotionally and cognitively.

The goal is to help the client restore pre-crisis levels of functioning.

Taking Action:– See individual differences– Assess yourself– Acknowledge client safety– Provide client support– Define the problem– Consider alternatives– Plan action steps– Use client coping strengths– Attend to client’s immediate needs– Use referrals (when appropriate)– Develop and use networks– Get a commitment

Spiritual/Christian Counseling

Problems with most traditional Counseling Methods:

• Absence of the Holy Spirit• Lack of emphasis on prayer• No commitment to the sufficiency of Scripture• The renaming of sin and the omission of

repentance• Man-centered, feeling-oriented, needs-oriented• Psychologized terminology & concepts

The Spiritual Counseling Process

• What's a worldview? A worldview is the framework from which we view

reality and make sense of life and the world. "[It's] any ideology, philosophy, theology, movement or religion that provides an overarching approach to understanding God, the world and man's relations to God and the world

• What's a biblical worldview? A biblical worldview is based on the infallible Word

of God. When you believe the Bible is an inspired guidebook, then you allow it to be the foundation of everything you say and do.

The Spiritual Counseling Process• Why does a biblical worldview matter?

If we don't really believe the truth of God and live it, then our witness will be confusing and misleading. Most of us go through life not recognizing that our personal worldviews have been deeply affected by the world. Through the media and other influences, the secularized American view of history, law, politics, science, God and man affects our thinking more than we realize.

By diligently learning, applying and trusting God’s truths in every area of our lives — whether it's communicating with our spouses, raising our children or working at the office — we can begin to develop a deep comprehensive faith that will stand against the unrelenting tide of our culture's secular ideas. By capturing and embracing more of God's worldview and trust it with unwavering faith, then we begin to make the right decisions. It is our decisions and actions that reveal what we really believe.

Elements of Spiritual Counseling

A Knowing of God’s Existencea. A failure to have a knowing of God

leads to:• A toleration of sin.• A focus on man, evidenced in teaching and

programs.• Result: the counseling experience reflects

a man-centered ministry that attempts to please others rather than placing trust in God’s work.

Elements of Spiritual Counseling continued

Authority & Sufficiency of Scripture• It has authority – it speaks to every area of

life.• It has relevancy – it is totally relevant for

every situation.• A failure to acknowledge these truths leads to:

A pursuit of comfort rather than obedience. Personal experience becomes the authority rather

than God’s Word. Contemporary thinking becomes the guide instead

of the principles of Jesus.


A Spiritual Intervention Consists of:• Helping the individual admit to, and

understand, powerlessness.• Their perceived inability to let go

• Letting anger and resentment destroy relationships

• Permitting fear to control thoughts and actions• Refusing to allow forgiveness where it is needed• Allowing the past to dominate the present and

endanger the future• Admit their life is unmanageable


A Spiritual Intervention Consists of:• Helping the individual admit to, and

understand, the degree that God is absent in their life.• Examining the individuals beliefs• Accepting the individual’s beliefs as a

starting point for guidance toward a more rewarding spiritual path

• Using truth as a guide, the path will inevitably lead to the principles espoused by Jesus


The Authority & Sufficiency of Scripture• It has authority – it speaks to every area of

life.• It has relevancy – it is totally relevant for

every situation.• A failure to acknowledge these truths

leads to: A pursuit of comfort rather than obedience. Personal experience becomes the authority

rather than God’s Word. Contemporary thinking becomes the guide

instead of the principles prescribed in scripture.


An Accurate AnthropologyA sinner is alienated from God, and as a result, he will seek fulfillment from the world’s system (1 John 2:15-17). The implications:

• Christ will not be seen as the only solution to man’s problems.

• People will try to provide substitutes that promise fulfillment.

• The focus is on dealing with felt needs instead of “real” needs.

So the goal of all true counseling must be to lead people to a greater relationship with God through practicing the philosophy and teaching of Jesus.


Establish a relationship with God through practices and principles modeled by Jesus

• The individual establishes an understanding that:• God cannot rebuild you until you are willing to die to the

old self by letting go of all the hate, prejudice, anger, guilt, shame, regret, unforgiveness, abuse and neglect issues, all of which equate to totality of sin you have committed or been subjected to throughout your life. Exemplified by what Jesus did for you on the cross.

• Dying to the old self means repentance and a total commitment to God. This means:

• Turning your will and your life over to the care of God. • Leaving the past, in the past – allowing God to guide your future• Using prayer and meditation to keep in constant contact with God• Having a knowing (more than faith alone) that God is in control and

will provide what you need, not necessarily what you want.

Establishing A Counseling Process

• Must be a commitment to truthfulness. This means minimizing and eliminating denial

• Must be a commitment to recognizing powerlessness in managing environment (relationships, behaviors, emotions, etc.)

• Must be a willingness to accept and understand powerlessness and begin the process of looking at environment and life through the eyes of reality

• Must be a willingness to participate in process of taking personal responsibility for accepting character defects and exploring avenues of change

• Must be a willingness to consider both positive and negative feedback with an open mind and an attitude of initiating positive change.

Establishing A Counseling Process

• There must be a willingness to a comprehensive examination of current beliefs regarding personal, spiritual, relational, and environmental beliefs

• Must be willing to examine meanings individual has assigned to important aspects and words, along with a willingness to redefine and revise the same

• Must be a willingness for exploration and learning contributing to continued evolution of healthy attitudes and beliefs

• Must be a willingness to address spiritual concerns through a comprehensive examination of their spiritual life, or absence of

• Must be a willingness to search for and establish a spiritual foundation for life

The Counselor as a Person

• Counselors must be aware of the influence of their own personality and needs

• Personal needs of counselors based on unresolved personal conflicts:– a need to tell people what to do– a desire to take away all pain from clients– a need to have all the answers and to be perfect– a need to be recognized and appreciated– a tendency to assume too much responsibility for

the changes of clients– a fear of doing harm, however inadvertently

Transference

• Transference is the process whereby clients project onto their therapists past feelings or attitudes they had toward significant people in their lives

• Transference: the “unreal” relationship in therapy– Counselors need to be aware of their personal

reactions to a client’s transference– All reactions of clients to a therapist are not to be

considered as transference– Ethical issue is dealing appropriately with

transference

Countertransference

• Countertransference is the counselor’s reaction to the client’s transference response

• Examples:– being overprotective with a client– treating clients in benign ways– rejecting a client– needing constant reinforcement and

approval– seeing yourself in your clients– developing sexual or romantic feelings

for a client– giving advice compulsively– desiring a social relationship with clients

Counselor Impairment• Impaired counselors have lost the ability to

resolve stressful events and are not able to function professionally

• Shared characteristics of impaired counselors:– fragile self-esteem– difficulty establishing intimacy in one’s

personal life– professional isolation– a need to rescue clients– a need for reassurance about one’s

attractiveness – substance abuse

Stress in the Counseling Profession

• Counseling can be a hazardous profession• Some sources of stress for counselors are:

– Feeling they are not helping their clients– The tendency to accept full responsibility for

clients’ progress– Feeling a pressure to quickly solve the

problems of clients– Having extremely high personal goals and

perfectionistic strivings

Limits of Confidentiality

– When counselor consults– When counselor is being supervised– When client has given consent– When client poses danger to self or others– When client discloses intention to commit a

crime– When counselor suspects abuse or neglect of a

child or vulnerable adult– When a court orders counselor to make records

available

Signs of Unhealthy Boundaries

• I. Intimacy distortions– falling in love with client– parentification of client

• II. Inadequate boundaries– not noticing boundary invasion – over-responsible for client– over-involvement with client– over-identification with client– role confusion/reversal– inappropriate touch– being manipulated by client’s unreasonable

demands – responding to inappropriate personal questions– acting on sexual attraction

Suggestions on Dealing with Sexual Attraction to Clients

• Acknowledge the feelings• Explore the reasons for attraction• Never act on feelings• Seek out experienced colleague for

consultation• Seek personal counseling if necessary• Monitor boundaries by setting clear limits• If unable to resolve feelings, terminate the

relationship and refer

A Definition of Spiritual Counseling

Spiritual Counseling is the practice of working with individuals toward greater Christ-likeness through the careful use of the Scriptures and the philosophy and teachings of Jesus.

A Definition of Spiritual Counseling

• Spiritual Counseling is the practice of training believers toward greater Christ-likeness through the careful use of the Scriptures for the glory of God.

A. What Spiritual Counseling is NOT:1. Spiritual Counseling is not an

autonomous ministry.

2. Spiritual Counseling is not an activity reserved for the experts.

3. Spiritual Counseling is not an entity separate from discipleship.

B. What Spiritual Counseling is:

1. Spiritual Counseling discerns thinking and behavior that God wants to change.

2. Spiritual Counseling uses God’s Word, by the Holy Spirit, to change motives, thinking, and behavior to Christlikeness.

3. Spiritual Counseling seeks the glory of God and the benefit of the counselee.

Counselor Attitudes in Working with Culturally Diverse

Individuals• Overt racist

– overtly hostile, homophobic, racist, ageist, sexist, judgmental (should stay out of the field)

• Covert prejudice– tries to hide negative, stereotyped opinions

but client picks up cues• Culturally ignorant

– lack of knowledge based on homogeneous background (need to learn about other cultures before working with them)

Dying To The Old Self“With God, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27)

Dying to the old self means• Making choices that reflect the teaching of

Jesus• Being non-judgmental• Unconditional love – regardless of their shortcomings

or behavior• A life of service – rather than a life of self-edification• Practicing forgiveness – even when others are unable

to forgive• Be slow to anger – understand that anger is based on

fear and pride• View regret as missed opportunities or lessons

learned and not failures or misfortune• View shame as a negative experience that can bring

with it greater understanding and positive outcomes



Jesus• Live in the present - A preoccupation with old

mistakes and failures leads to regression and separation from God

• Accept life. Don't waste time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change.

• Roll with the punches. Refuse to indulge in self-pity. Accept the fact that life requires some sorrow and misfortune to promote spiritual growth and maturity.

• Cultivate the spiritual virtues - love, honor, compassion and loyalty.

• Stay involved. Force yourself to stay involved with the living world, but resist the temptation to withdraw and become reclusive, or, to fall prey to the temptations of the world.



Jesus• Under god’s guidance, you don't need an explanation

for everything.• Be humble - Practicing humility tames the ego and

builds a foundation based on gratitude.• Challenge risks - by taking risks we learn to confront

and overcome fears.

Special Populations

• Addicts and Alcoholics• People with Severe Anger, Guilt, and

Forgiveness • Children and Youth with Distorted Views• Older Adults Struggling with EOL Issues• People with Disabilities• People with Serious Mental Illness• Veterans in Stages of PTSD• People with Low Socioeconomic Status• Cultural and Ethnic Groups

BARRIERS TO REFERRAL

• I should be able to do it myself.• Someone will see me.• My parents will find out.• It will cost too much.• I don’t have time.• No one can understand.• It will pass.

Surviving and Moving On

Help the individual to:• Accept the loss(es).• Be aware of feelings• Externalize emotions.• Draw on personal beliefs.• Understand negative coping • Utilize every resource (because there is

seldom one correct answer to most of the questions that arise)

Lifestyle

Crisis counseling i completed