Intro to Christian Counseling
test questions and answers
Foundations of Christian Counseling - answer Scripture first, eternal
perspective, a war of the mind and spirit
Chalcedonian pattern of logic - answer 1. Two terms are placed in a
relationship where they exist unaltered and autonomous.
2. The terms are related so that they coexist inseparably.
3. One term is deemed logically prior, given authority over the other.
Roles of effective counselors - answer counselor, consultant, teacher,
supervisor, researcher
Counselor - answer Although this word can be ambiguous, having multiple
meanings (i.e. see wardrobe counseling), counseling generally focuses on
helping clients navigate problem issues: relational, behavioral, spiritual,
or emotional.
Consultant - answer Often understood as the role of an "expert guide,"
here a counselor helps the client to troubleshoot a situation or make
important life decisions.
Teacher - answer Sometimes known as "psycho-education," teaching is a
significant part of the helping process. With teaching, the counselor
imparts insight into a client's issues and strategies for coping (i.e.
answers to the questions "What is stress?" and "How can I decrease my
stress?"). With Christian counseling, teaching also encompasses
presenting solid biblical truths.
Supervisor - answer This is a professional-to-professional relationship
where counselors participate in "peer-supervision," or it is where an
experienced counselor oversees, and is held liable for, the practice and
progress of a novice counselor.
, Researcher - answer The practice of research is what allows counselors to
know whether what they are doing is working, and is an empirical method
of discovering the Truth of God. Research is what promotes positive
revisions in counseling treatments, to meet changing contemporary needs
for care.
Personal qualities an effective counselor will often possess - answer -
natural interest in and compassion for people5
-emotional intelligence and the ability to accurately assess feelings
-the facility to engage a variety of persons in conversation
-a disposition that allows one to listen well
-an understanding and mastery of empathy
-meaningful introspection and self-reflection
-the capacity to suspend one's personal needs to help others
-the ability to tolerate relational intimacy (therapeutic alliance)
-the ability to lessen, not increase, a client's anxiety
-the ability to establish healthy boundaries
-the aptitude to not let counseling relationships adversely affect the
counselor's home life
-unwavering ethics and integrity
Spiritual gifts - answer It is true that God has equipped some people with
gifts to be counselors (1 Cor. 12:7), and this calling is good motivation to
become a counselor. However, as one writer states, "people helping is
everybody's business,"6 each of us has the ability through meaningful,
empathic relationships to help someone every day of our lives.
Professional or other counselor training - answer Christian counselors, to
truly be equipped, must be knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics
and issues. They must be educated toward understanding the many needs
and complaints that are prevalent today, as well as their treatment. This
means formal education and specialized clinical trainings for anyone
desiring to practice as a mental health professional. For the lay helper in
church-based ministry, it demands some degree of structured training in
test questions and answers
Foundations of Christian Counseling - answer Scripture first, eternal
perspective, a war of the mind and spirit
Chalcedonian pattern of logic - answer 1. Two terms are placed in a
relationship where they exist unaltered and autonomous.
2. The terms are related so that they coexist inseparably.
3. One term is deemed logically prior, given authority over the other.
Roles of effective counselors - answer counselor, consultant, teacher,
supervisor, researcher
Counselor - answer Although this word can be ambiguous, having multiple
meanings (i.e. see wardrobe counseling), counseling generally focuses on
helping clients navigate problem issues: relational, behavioral, spiritual,
or emotional.
Consultant - answer Often understood as the role of an "expert guide,"
here a counselor helps the client to troubleshoot a situation or make
important life decisions.
Teacher - answer Sometimes known as "psycho-education," teaching is a
significant part of the helping process. With teaching, the counselor
imparts insight into a client's issues and strategies for coping (i.e.
answers to the questions "What is stress?" and "How can I decrease my
stress?"). With Christian counseling, teaching also encompasses
presenting solid biblical truths.
Supervisor - answer This is a professional-to-professional relationship
where counselors participate in "peer-supervision," or it is where an
experienced counselor oversees, and is held liable for, the practice and
progress of a novice counselor.
, Researcher - answer The practice of research is what allows counselors to
know whether what they are doing is working, and is an empirical method
of discovering the Truth of God. Research is what promotes positive
revisions in counseling treatments, to meet changing contemporary needs
for care.
Personal qualities an effective counselor will often possess - answer -
natural interest in and compassion for people5
-emotional intelligence and the ability to accurately assess feelings
-the facility to engage a variety of persons in conversation
-a disposition that allows one to listen well
-an understanding and mastery of empathy
-meaningful introspection and self-reflection
-the capacity to suspend one's personal needs to help others
-the ability to tolerate relational intimacy (therapeutic alliance)
-the ability to lessen, not increase, a client's anxiety
-the ability to establish healthy boundaries
-the aptitude to not let counseling relationships adversely affect the
counselor's home life
-unwavering ethics and integrity
Spiritual gifts - answer It is true that God has equipped some people with
gifts to be counselors (1 Cor. 12:7), and this calling is good motivation to
become a counselor. However, as one writer states, "people helping is
everybody's business,"6 each of us has the ability through meaningful,
empathic relationships to help someone every day of our lives.
Professional or other counselor training - answer Christian counselors, to
truly be equipped, must be knowledgeable about a wide variety of topics
and issues. They must be educated toward understanding the many needs
and complaints that are prevalent today, as well as their treatment. This
means formal education and specialized clinical trainings for anyone
desiring to practice as a mental health professional. For the lay helper in
church-based ministry, it demands some degree of structured training in
