Page 107 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 8
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Christian Psychology alive
In 2015, Cornerstone College, originally a se- in SA, headed by Professor Nicolene Joubert),
condary school, founded the primary school Counselling@ (founded by Dr. Hanlie Meyer),
division of the college by introducing Grade R – and Focus on the Family Africa (CEO Grae-
Grade 6. Therefore, the approach for achieving me Schnell). Although much ground has been
this integration of education, Christianity, and ploughed and won towards the purpose of legi-
psychology has been more comprehensive in timizing and researching the field of Christian
the sense that we have put programs in place for psychology by these organisations, we remain
both parents, younger children, as well as ado- united and focused on continued efforts to ex-
lescents. Although the focus of this case report pand this progress. To make a contribution to
is on the annual adolescent conference, it must this end, I am now a doctoral student with the
be said that the parents are invited to a mini- University of South Africa (UNISA) with a the-
mum of four seminars per annum at the school. sis title in the broad subject area of integrating
The topics of the seminars that are presented Christianity and psychology in various sectors.
to the parents correlate with the topics that are Therefore, to this end, the purpose of this ado-
presented to the adolescents so that the family is lescent conference is to provide Christo-centric
united, educated and supported holistically. The and psychologically verified information about
parents have requested a few topics be covered the typical adolescent type difficulties that lear-
for their own sake that the adolescents have ners face e.g. eating disorders, bullying, peer
not expressly requested, but this information pressure, depression, suicide, drugs, alcohol,
from the parents has equipped us in knowing and sexual activity. During and after the confe-
the challenges that the wider communities are rence, there are counsellors on staff to assist any
facing. An example of one of these topics has learner who may need further counselling, or to
been single-parented homes. This has given rise follow-up on any issues raised that need further
to an entirely new perspective on ways in which intervention e.g. social workers. A number of
parents, learners, families, and communities are resources, NGO details, and handouts are given
in pronounced need of an integrated model of to the learners so that they are thoroughly sup-
Christianity, education, and psychology. ported should they require any further counsel-
ling. The parents of the learners also give writ-
One of the ways in which this integration takes ten consent for their children to attend this con-
place is through the presentation of an annual ference, and are encouraged to notify the school
life skills conference. This conference is presen- should any additional assistance be required.
ted by myself in my role as a Clinical Psycholo-
gist and Christian. I work within the sector of The conference is presented to learners from
private practice, however, I also work as a con- grade 6 (primarily 12 year olds) through to gra-
sultant for various institutions that purport to de 11 (primarily 17 year olds). A few months
integrate the fields of psychology and Christia- before the conference is presented, I take a sur-
nity. Currently, in South Africa, it is not possible vey from the pupils to determine which psycho-
to register expressly as a Christian psychologist, logical issues are most pressing for them. There
there is no specific registration category for that is also opportunity for them to suggest certain
subdivision. Therefore, psychologists who want topics that I may not be aware are areas that they
to practise from a Christian perspective are are struggling with. Although the perception
required to do so under view strict guidelines may exist that the topics that need to be cove-
as provided by the statutory medical counsel red most saliently will differ from grade to gra-
– Health Professions Council of South Africa de, it would appear from our internal research
(HPCSA). Much effort is being dedicated to ex- that this is not the case. Our surveys over the
panding and legitimising the field of Christian last two years have shown that this age group of
psychology, such as organisations like the In- grade 6 to grade 11 learners are all faced with
stitute for Christian Psychology (ICP founded similar challenges, regardless of their age, so-
by Professor Nicolene Joubert), Association for cio-economic status, ethnicity, or geographical
Christian Counsellors in South Africa (ACC location. The most commonly requested topics
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