1. Discuss four approaches to intradisciplinary integration. The analytic (Christian critique) is an integration of secular theories and concepts into a Christian perspective. The synthetic approach is when the therapist proposes a Christian way to deal with client problems. The theory-focused approach proposes a Christian approach to counseling. The synthetic build your own approach is exactly what is says, and the result will be strongly influenced by the therapist's situation.

2. Discuss the situational influences on integration. In 1988, Benner identified the relations among pastoral responsibilities, pastoral care and helping, and pastoral counseling as the key elements for a Christian integration. Christian psychotherapy probably overlaps secular psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is reconstructive. Counseling is more than psychotherapy and overlaps with Christian psychotherapy. These two are not greatly different. Giving spiritual direction can be helpful, too, so pastoral counseling also overlaps.

3. Discuss the criticism of models of integration. The chief criticism is that it is hard to integrate, but there are some methods that can help. The therapist can be bilingual and can design a blueprint for building one's own integrated theory. The blueprint will involve weight-bearing pillars, a frame, and a covering.

4. Discuss what Worthington means by "being bilingual". The therapist must constantly remember the stories of Christianity and what Christianity is all about. We need to remember the sin nature, people's natural rebellion, the fall, and being restored and that these things form a cycle.

5. Discuss the blueprint for building your own integrated theory of Christian counseling. A blueprint will help a therapist erect a structure for integrating Christian faith into one's personal counseling style. The foundation should be Jesus first, the fundamentals of the faith as weight-bearing pillars second, and the frame and covering as third.

6. Discuss the weight-bearing pillars. Pillar number one is the tension between Scripture and General Revelation. The therapist can figure in all that we learn from experience and psychology. Also, we should act in faith and work in love. The second pillar is the activity of God versus the activity of humans. How much does God intervene, and how much do people cause? How these tensions are resolved will be different based on the therapist's context for helping others.

7. Discuss the frame. Should therapy support growth or problem solving? This answer will be based on the type of counseling being done, and that will be affected by the following four influences: (1) who the client is, (2) who the counselor is, (3) who the community is, and (4) what the context is. A paradoxical method is like reverse psychology, but this approach will not always work. Still, psychotherapists must solve problems quickly, or their clients will not come back. Christian therapists have more freedom in this respect. Worthington says that the therapist should try to solve problems to promote growth.

8. Discuss the covering. During counseling sessions, the therapist may not need to mention sin, repentance, or salvation. A 1988 survey of Christian therapists and their clients found that Christian therapists differ in how they do things.

				Tom of Bethany

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