Recently, I was invited to visit
one our undergraduate courses to discuss the Christian perspective that is
taken in our graduate program. The
framework for this conversation was taken from Johnson’s (2010) book, “Psychology and Christianity: Five Views, 2nd
Edition.” After consultation with my faculty colleagues and reflection on
our goals in the program two perspectives arise as the most salient, levels of explanation and integration.
The levels-of-explanation perspective asserts that there are unique
means and methods to studying psychology that differ from other disciplines
such as philosophy, theology or physics. This perspective endorses a belief
that it is important for Christians to learn how to examine constructs of human
behavior from a psychological point of view including such things as the
scientific method and biological bases for behavior. In our graduate program
this means that we study and explore many of the empirically validated
treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive
Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). It is also reflected in our emphasis on
ethical practices within the field and the development of a strong professional
counseling identity. A levels-of-explanation perspective exposes our students
to a wide range of information and leads to more prepared and informed
practitioners.
The integration perspective more clearly blends the study and practice
of psychology and Christianity. Integrationists value science and rigorous
study but do so from a distinctly Christian perspective. Those using this
perspective often examine psychological science and explore its direct
relationship to Christian theology. In our graduate program conversations about
the impact of Christian faith on the practice of counseling are commonplace. In
one of my courses on Social and Cultural Diversity we spend time exploring the
impact that Plantinga’s (1995) text, “Not
the Way It’s Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin” has on our understanding of
human pain and difficulty. Examining our clinical and scholarly work within a
worldview shaped by Christian thought is an ongoing practice. Working within an
integrationist perspective allows our students to deeply engage with biblical
values while considering their application to the wider world.
When I consider what goals our
faculty have for students who complete our graduate program two main ideas
emerge:
When you complete
TCC’s Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology our faculty aim for you to be a
competent and qualified beginning counselor whether you want to work in an
explicitly Christian setting or not.
When you complete TCC’s Master’s Program in Counseling Psychology our faculty want you to be able to articulate a holistic view of human nature, including a perspective on how a Christian worldview impacts the practice of counseling.
These two goals align clearly with our Christian perspective
in the master’s program. We value
the application of science and the study of psychology from a research based
perspective. In addition to that we explore the unique perspective that a
Christian worldview provides on psychology. This flexibility suggests a
well-rounded and thorough perspective.
Ultimately
our perspective in the graduate program is a reflection of our reformed and
ever reforming theology. As we
seek to prepare well-rounded and well-prepared helping professionals we are
also responding to the call echoed throughout the bible that “the Kingdom is
coming and the Kingdom is here.” Both
are true, that we long for the coming of the day when God’s kingdom rules every
corner of the world and that we know that God’s hand is at work within every
part of creation right now in the midst of brokenness. Our philosophy within the master’s
program in Counseling Psychology seeks to honor and respect those realities.
References:
Johnson, E.L. (Ed.). (2010). Psychology & Christianity: Five views.
2nd ed. Downers Grove: IVP Academic.
Plantinga, C. (1995). Not
the way it’s supposed to be: A breviary of sin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans.
