Counseling from a Christian Perspective: Theory and Practice
Saturday mornings, starting Feb 11, 2012 9:00-11:30am (8-week series)
Location: Trinity Church, 300 North Benson Road, Fairfield CT 06824
Instructor – Dr. Duane Kellogg, Jr.
Description: This 8 week course is designed for anyone interested in understanding the relationship between theology and psychology and how they can be integrated in effective ways to help people deal with emotional and relational difficulties. This could be useful for pastors, Christian professional counselors who were trained in secular schools, as well as lay people who are involved in ministries that involve helping people through difficult times (e.g. Stephen’s Ministries, small group/church leaders, etc.). We will deal with theory as well as practical case application.
Course Objectives:
- Encourage each person to develop a model for integrating counseling with their Christian faith.
- Enable students to understand their own motivations, strengths, and vulnerabilities as they assume the role of counselor/helper.
- Give students an overview of prominent issues in counseling such as depression, anxiety, anger, and guilt and possible approaches for dealing with them.
- Help students understand the dynamics of interpersonal problems and conflicts and how to enable those caught up in conflict find resolution.
Textbooks:
David G. Benner, Care of Souls, (1998)
Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling, Third Edition (2007)
Mark R. McMinn, Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling, (2008)
About the instructor:
Dr. Kellogg has been active doing professional counseling from a Christian perspective since 1983. He recently moved to Connecticut to assume the position of Director of Renew Counseling Associates in Fairfield where he maintains a practice as a licensed professional counselor. He has also served a number of churches as an ordained pastor and is a retired Air Force chaplain.
Schedule of Classes:
Session 1 (Feb 11): Integrating Christian faith and psychology (part 1)
Benner, Introduction: The Rediscovery of the Soul
ch. 1: What is Soul Care?
ch. 2: The Rise of Therapeutic Soul Care
McMinn, ch. 1: Divided by Sin
Session 2 (Feb 18): Integrating Christian faith and psychology (part 2)
Benner, ch. 3: The Boundaries of Soul Care
ch. 4: Psychology and Spirituality
McMinn, ch. 2: The Weight of Sin
ch. 3: The Healing Power of Grace
Session 3 (Feb 25): Integrating Christian faith and psychology (part 3)
Benner, ch. 5: Christian Spirituality
ch. 6: The Psychospiritual Focus of Soul Care
McMinn, ch. 4: Holding Sin and Grace Together
ch. 5: Sin and Grace in Integrative Psychology
Session 4 (Mar 3): The Counselor and the Church in Christian Counseling
Collins, ch. 2: The Counselor and Counseling
ch. 3: The Church and Counseling
ch. 6: Legal, Ethical, and Moral Issues in Counseling
Session 5 (Mar 10): Prominent Emotional Issues in Counseling (part 1)
Collins, ch. 8: Depression
ch. 11: Guilt and Forgiveness
Session 6 (Mar 17): Prominent Emotional Issues in Counseling (part 2)
Collins, ch. 9: Anxiety
ch. 10: Anger
Session 7 (Mar 24): Interpersonal Issues in Counseling (part 1)
Collins, ch. 18: Conflict and Relationships
ch. 29: Marriage Issues
ch. 35: Addictions
Session 8 (Mar 31): Interpersonal Issues in Counseling (part 2)
Collins, ch. 31: Family Issues
ch. 32: Divorce and Remarriage
Assignments: Students are expected to do the assigned reading before each class, including the first session. There will be one ten page paper due by the end of the semester on the integration of Christian faith and psychology and its practical application to one area of interest. This paper, along with class attendance and participation will count toward your final grade.
Details and schedule subject to change
