Page 104 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 7

Christian Psychology alive

transference with clients. It also helps therapists by who represented God. As opportunities ari-
clearly explain their therapeutic approach to cli- se, I want to join in with the work God is doing
ents who are seeking specific treatments related in the lives of people who were harmed by Resi-
to Christian worldviews. dential Schools and their aftermath. God’s work
The broader discussion regarding how to inte- of healing is not contingent on the outward la-
grate faith and psychology, as well as faith and bel of “Christian” being applied to those who
vocation, inspires me. I have faced these que- are helping.
stions over the last several years, and through I agree with Wolf’s statement that attempting
reading, discussions with wise friends and men- to separate a therapist’s relationship with God
tors, as well as my own discernment, I have be- and their work as a therapist creates dissonance.
gun to settle into a comfortable place where I While such separation is not needed, and like-
can live out my faith authentically in all areas of ly not possible, it is important for therapists to
my life. One of my professors spoke about our reflect on their worldview and how it is ma-
task being to discern what God is doing, and nifested in their lives. This will hopefully help
then join in with His work. This discernment therapists to decide where they can best serve
and engagement with God’s work applies to all God, such as in a pastoral counsellor role, spiri-
aspects of my life, not just my professional vo- tual director, Christian therapist, or a therapist
cation. I am called to do this as a friend, teacher, who is a Christian but does not use a “Christi-
daughter, sister, leader and student. I can also an” label. Each of these areas provides different
do this whether or not I label myself a “Christi- amounts of freedom to speak about God, based
an” therapist. on the services provided and applicable codes
The term “Christian” can carry different of ethics. Being clear with clients about what
meanings for individual people, as well as so- services are provided gives them the informa-
cieties and cultures. It may also bring positi- tion they need to make a decision regarding
ve or negative connotations, possibly creating treatment providers.
transference for a client. For example, Canada
is scarred by the legacy of Residential Schools, It is exciting for me to see God at work in the
where Aboriginal children were placed, often world, bringing hope and healing to those who
forcibly, by the government into schools run are hurting. As a therapist, I hope God will use
by churches. These schools sought to assimi- me to bring His hope and healing, and I trust
late the children into White European culture, that He will honor my desire to be His hands
and physical, sexual and emotional abuse were and feet in whatever job to which He calls me,
rampant. As a Christian, I am grieved that such regardless of whether I am called a Christian
harm was done to others by people, especially therapist.

Kristy Korten
Response to a “A Christian Psychologist and Biblical

Counsellor” by Ed Welch

Am I biblical counsellor? A question evoked by lical counsellor and yet prior to reading, I iden-
Ed Welch who presented on the topic of biblical tified myself as a holistic counsellor; focusing
counselling through his own experiences. His on all aspects of a person including their spi-
writing was inspirational and challenging for a rituality. In what follows, I will explore Welch’s
Christian about to be finishing her Masters in description of biblical counselling and how I
Counselling and needing to decide what title maintain a counselling identity that is reflective
to operate under in the professional field. After of God’s word, though not advertising as a bib-
reading Ed Welch’s article, I believe I am a bib- lical counsellor.

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