Christ-Centered Therapy

Christ Centered Therapy by Anderson, Zuehlke, and Zuehlke attempts to integrate psychology and theology into a wholistic counseling approach. The authors explain that all counseling operates from either a Christian or an alternative spiritual worldview. The belief that it is possible to treat persons psychologically in a values-neutral manner is a myth. No therapist is values neutral. Values are the very lifeblood of all counselors do with their clients. Patient-therapist similarity with regard to religious values may be one of the best predictors of a successful outcome. The authors examine, compare, and contrast the four primary worldviews currently in psychology which are humanism, utopianism, new age, and Biblical. They agree that Christian therapists in nonprivate domains have the right and obligation to counsel Christian clients from a biblical perspective.They explain that the evangelical Christian community is defined by several nonnegotiable core beliefs but beyond that there are diverse strategies in Christian counseling that the authors examine. They range from secular psychology by Christian practitioners to "Bible only" methods that reject all psychology. The authors then attempt to find a balanced integration of theology and psychology. It centers on helping a client to realize his new identity in Christ. The authors present a Biblical strategy for Christian counseling that involves three levels of conflict and seven steps to freedom. The seven "Steps to Freedom in Christ" is process that the counselor assists the client in working through where a person takes a moral inventory and makes a commitment to truth.In order for a counselor to be effective he must be growing himself. Several recommendations are for growth are given. The subject of assessing client's spiritual condition is examined. The obstacles in counseling in the marketplace are discussed and an explanation of how to present the Gospel in that setting. Issues involving the reality of managed care are also considered. A large section of the book is given to the subject of counseling tools. A summary is given concerning each of these tools. They include cognitive-behavioral therapy, theophostics, and a therapy plan for the following issues: bonding; early recollections; eating disorders; grief and loss; physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; parenting issues; anxiety disorders; depression; boundaries; dissociative identity disorder; marriage communication; sexual addiction; and chemical addictions.The book examines the issue of the professional Christian therapy and the church community as a collaborative partnership. A model for the interrelationship between the church and the Christian counselor is given. This includes how to establish a freedom ministry in the local church and the logistics and related issues in organizing such a ministry. Finally there is an extensive appendix that includes forms to be used in counseling ministry within the local church.At the center of the book is Neil Anderson's 7 steps to freedom. This treatment plan is both Biblical and practical. I am confident that in many cases the 7 steps have brought individuals into new levels of freedom and wholeness. Yet the authors seem to promote the 7 steps as a panacea for nearly every mental health disorder. In my opinion this may be too simplistic and unrealistic. I also feel the book falls short in being a definitive integration of psychology and theology. This is unquestionably a Herculean task that was valiantly engaged but I felt the book fell short of fully satisfying this objective.Despite its shortcomings, Christ Centered Therapy is a valuable work that should prove to be a wonderful resource for pastoral counselors and Christian mental health professionals as well as a quality textbook for seminaries and Christian colleges. The authors do a good job of exposing the anti-Christian bias in psychology and of explaining the different views of counseling in the Christian community. They have a great respect for the power of God's Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in counseling. I particularly appreciated the tool kit section, which presented various conditions and the interventions.

Excellent basic resource. Like a very good textbook. I sent one to my daughter and have one myself that she referred me to twenty years ago. She had disposed of her copy when moving from Alaska, and sent her this as a reminder and solutions for her own personal situation. We are both therapists.

Anderson, Zuehlke and Zuehlke join their years of experience and practice of Christian counseling to present a definitive work for the novice and seasoned counselor. This work is a great resource in answering the question, "What is Christ-centered therapy?" For the Christian counselor who desires to practice Christ- centered therapy this book is a must. Great overview. Solid presentation. Clear model for the Christian counselor. This should be required reading for every novice counselor.

Need to know information

This was our major read at LRU.EDU for my MABC (masters arts biblical counselling), and I would have to say this book is invaluable and it's a keeper, I wouldn't get rid of it...a great reference and learning tool for biblical counselling. (One of them at-least)

Great read, well-written, and easy to understand. Every counseling person should have this book.

I purchased two copies, one for a friend who is burdened in his relationships and never knows the right way to go. He said yesterday, he loves the book, and reads it a lot. It always helps him.

Well documented and useful.

This book is a good quality good feeling book. I have not read it all but flicked through it and I seems to give an interesting perspective on therapy, will read further. Came quickly all good.

Best book I have read in this subject

An excellent book especially for counselling!!!

Excellent resource!