Caption:
God’s Master Plan
©
Hands from the River
Retrieved from: http://handsfromtheriver.com/healing/making-a-decree-part-1
While
reading the chapters for this week’s blog assignment I noticed the need for
open mindedness throughout the process, counselee motivation for change, and
patience on the part of the counselor and counselee. As humans we naturally
make automatic assessments when meeting and interacting with others. Counselors
then should think about those initial reactions as they can help understand the
client “for himself” (Thomas & Sosin, 2011).
Remaining
open minded during the conceptualization process serves to rule out judgments
made solely on the counselor’s feelings.
Secondly, as much as we want to see healthy change within our clients.
That change cannot happen apart from clients wanting change for themselves.
Thomas and Sosin (2011) called this motivation. This brings to mind a powerful
parallel between change in the counseling process and change in the salvation
process. We walk alongside others who need salvation, knowing that we cannot
save them. Likewise we alongside our client’s knowing we cannot change them.
Christ is the One common denominator in that equation and I pray His hope
abounds in us as Christians and counselors.
Lastly,
patience is vital whether change happens throughout our time with clients or
not. As we cannot bring about change, rushing that change by grasping at every
treatment plan available will be to no avail. We must slow down, pray, and
collaborate with clients and the right treatment plan will come. Sometimes this
may mean referral (Thomas & Sosin, 2011).
Whatever earthly plan is best for treatment, we can rest assured in
God’s divine treatment plan.
Reference:
Thomas,
J.C. & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian
counselor for the journey. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.
Great post! I totally agree with you that we cannot change someone if they are not willing to change themselves. I really like the parallelism that you made with salvation. It is so true that we can only present the gospel to an individual, and as much as we would want them to be save if they do not take the decision themselves we cannot do much about it. Patient is definitely essential in the process of counseling someone. We cannot frustrate ourselves if we do not see progress with the client.
ReplyDeleteRachel, good job with the blog! I also agree with you on the fact that change cannot take place without the massive effect of the counselee. There is a saying that " you can force horse to the river side but you cannot force it to drink". The client has to be willing to want this change. I also think that we as counselors should be open minded as Thomas and Sosin mentioned. we should be open minded to learn about our clients especially if they do not share the same values with us.
ReplyDelete