Philosophical Assumptions for Psychotherapy

Philosophical Assumptions for Psychotherapy

Jones and Butman(1991) believe that in order for a counseling theory to be "distinctively Christian" its philosophical beliefs about the nature and existence of the person would have to validate a Christian or biblical belief system. I would have to agree, wouldn't you?

Often counselors in training only look at what happens in the counseling session, the counseling techniques and their role as counselor without questioning why they are doing what they are doing. That is a flawed approach for a Christian who is in the counseling field. Whether you advertise yourself as a Christian counselor, or are practicing in a secular setting and are a committed Christian, you would want to know that what you practice adheres to a Christian belief system. Therefore it is important that we learn how to assess the philosophical foundations of the established counseling theories, as we work towards developing our individualized counseling theory.

Christian Philosophical Assumptions

Let us first examine what a Christian philosophical approach to the nature and existence of humans might include. First and foremost the theory would need to validate the existence of a God who is good, loving, and all powerful. It would include all the many attributes that we already know so well about our God, since it is that God who created us and of whom we reflect since we are made in His image and likeness (Jones and Butman, 1991).

Christian Philosophical Assumptions about Human Existence

We as humans have value, meaning and purpose, yet are dependent on God. We are relational social beings. Our nature includes a spiritual or immaterial aspect. We are capable of doing what is right, since we are rational and moral beings, yet we also have a sin nature which attracts us to be rebellious against God's ways. Beyond our earthly purposes we have kingdom purposes, God ordained eternal objectives, that surpass our involvement in this world. We were created to be in relationship with God and to be holy (Jones and Butman, 1991).

References

Jones, S. L. & Butman, R. E. (1991). Modern psychotherapies: A comprehensive Christian appraisal. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.

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