In the previous blog, we discussed listening skills and observing skills of the client. Good listening and observation set the stage for proper responses. In this blog, we will shortly review core concepts in turning listening into positive and productive counselor responses that help the client through the counseling process. Attending skills are essential in any type of counseling, especially grief counseling. When these basic skills are absent, the client can feel neglected or misunderstood. Good grief counselors, whether licensed clinical counselors or non-clinical counselors, are able to incorporate these skills to enhance the therapeutic nature of counseling and keep the client as an active and on going participant in his/her mental health. Bear in mind, good responses are not necessarily saying the most profound or theory correct statement, but the particular response that is best for the particular stage of counseling and needed comment. Sometimes the responses may be short or longer, statements or questions, informative or probing, but they all have a particular reason and are the tools of the trade in discovering issues and helping clients find better outcomes.
Identifying Emotions in Counseling
Grief Counselors need to identify emotions when preparing a response or prompt to help the client’s story proceed smoothly
In the last blog, we spoke about the vital importance of observation and how a grief counselor needs to identify verbal but as well as non-verbal cues in a client that can illustrate a particular issue or feeling. In formulating therapeutic responses, grief counselors and other counselors need to identify the particular emotion of an attending client. This involves identifying the words associated with the emotion, implicit and unspoken emotions, and any non-verbal cues of the emotion expressed (Ivey, 2018, p., 170). Based from the core universal feelings across cultures, a counselor should watch for sad, mad, glad and scared (Ivey, 2018. p., 171). These are root words for all emotions and a grief counselor can build from these words to more complex emotions.
It is crucial to employ empathetic responses. Like the previous blog, which emphasized empathetic listening, again, the word empathy appears in counseling. The grave importance of empathy allows the counselor to become involved in the client’s state of being in a true and understanding way that helps the counselor produce productive and positive change. Empathetic responses help the client feel understood and not judged, or admonished. Hence, responses to emotions need to be empathetic and caring in nature. Egan reports three important types of empathy in responding from the work of Arthur Clark. He first lists subjective empathy, which puts the counselor literally in the client’s life and helps the counselor understand the emotional state of the client. Second, he lists the term objective empathy which ties to the studies of the counselor and the counselor’s own personal experience in counseling. Tying these together is a third type of empathy referred to as interpersonal empathy, which ties together the client’s feelings and the way the counselor is able to communicate it as well as any needed information (Egan, 2019, p. 132-133).
Interpersonal empathy involves the ability to perceive the issues, the know how to state it and the assertiveness when to input it (Egan, 2019, p. 134-137). Grief Counselors need to perceive the emotion on display, the ability to articulate it and the assertiveness to sometimes address it when uncomfortable. It is important to report what is said back with empathetic accuracy (Egan, 2019., p. 137). Ivey also emphasizes the importance of accuracy in naming particular emotions. He points out that counselors should use the words to describe the emotion by the client and also attempt to articulate the emotion with name and when only seen non-verbally as close as possible to what the client is experiencing (2018, p. 171). Egan continues that is important when naming emotions to remain sensitive when naming them, as well as to not over-emphasize or under emphasize them. He also encourages counselors to be aware of cultural sensitivities as well when naming particular emotions (2019, p. 139-142).
Prompts in Counseling
Some clients may speak openly about issues of loss, trauma or everyday issues. They are a flood of information. Other clients may be more shy, untrusting, or quiet in how they detail their issues. Obviously, building trust is key within the therapeutic relationship and plays a large role in receiving vital information during the listening phases. However, sometimes it takes various prompts, nudges, or encouragements to help a client discuss difficult issues. The art of counseling involves keeping a steady dialogue and flow between client and counselor and this falls upon the counselor’s shoulders to ensure this productive process. According to Egan, probes are extremely beneficial in helping clients engage more fully, especially with more reluctant clients, in identifying experiences, feelings and behaviors. They further help clients open to other areas of discussion and engage in conversation with more clarity and specifics. They can also help clients remain on target and on important issues (2019, p. 177).
There are a variety of ways to help a client continue the story through prompts such as paraphrasing, summarizing, or open ended questioning
Some encouragers can be as simple as “uh huh” or a simple phrase of understanding which serves as a bridge for the client to continue speaking (Ivey, 2018, p. 148). Sometimes, as simple, as saying “I see” or “okay” or “please continue” are strong enough phrases to encourage the client to continue the story. Sometimes the counselor can merely restate the emotion in a particular tone expressed by a client which further facilitates further discussion. These simple prods can break silence and encourage the client to continue with the story. Others can be simple non verbal movements, as a nod of the head, a particular look or leaning forward (Egan, 2019, p.161). Prompts, probes or nudges can also take the form in longer responses. Counselors can make statements, requests, or ask particular types of questions to better understand the story and also to properly push it forward.
Questions in particular have high value in counseling. They help the counselor not only understand and clarify points, but they also show the client a sincere interest on the part of the counselor and sometimes can push the client to delve deeper into an issue and find more self discovery. Questioning, however, for the pure purpose of questioning can be counter-productive and make the client feel they are being interrogated, so questions need to be utilized sparingly and effectively (Egan, 2019, p. 163). Ivey points out that there are types of questions that are open and closed (2018, p. 124). Both have their purpose and time but need to be utilized properly in order for the question to be effective. Open ended questions, as a rule, should be utilized most. These types of questions do not end with a simple response of “yes” or “no” by the client but look to abstract more information and input from the client. According to Ivey, most open questions begin with the words “how”, “what”, “where”, “when” or “could” (2018, p. 124). Close ended questions look for a particular concise answer and have value but usually are used when the counselor is looking for a particular answer while the counselor is primarily talking during the session. Another great question is the “what else question”. This question looks for any additive elements to the story or if the counselor is missing anything (Ivey, 2018, p. 125). Remember, if the counselor does not understand something, then questions or statement looking for greater clarity are better than pretending to understand.
Another important prompt involves paraphrasing. Paraphrasing is a useful tool utilized in responses by counselors to help keep the conversation going or to help the client hear reflectively what the client has stated. Sometimes the mere power of hearing something back has immense value. When a counselor paraphrases, the counselor usually states the emotion in a sentence and then concludes with a “because” phrase. For instance, a counselor may paraphrase to a depressed client by stating, “you are depressed because you no longer feel any energy”. This paraphrase can illicit additional information or continue the conversation, much in the same fashion as a simple nod, or phrase. Ivey points out that paraphrasing is not repetition but also adding some of the counselor’s own words (2018,p. 148). It is important to note that when paraphrasing, if something is worded incorrectly, the counselor should apologize and ask for deeper clarification. Sometimes, hearing certain things back can trigger an individual, or if worded differently, and the client is not ready to hear the interpretation, the client may respond quickly, or begin to close up. Cultural issues can sometimes play a key in this.
Finally, Summaries are a critical promoting tool in responding to a client. Summaries are more detailed paraphrases that adds more depth to the conversation. They are usually utilized to begin an interview to help bridge the previous meeting, or to conclude a meeting, but they have other purposes as well during the session (Ivey, 2018, p. 148). Egan points out that sometimes a more detailed summary can help during a session when the discussion is not going anywhere. They can also be utilized to help the client see a new perspective (2019, p. 178-179). A counselor utilizing a summary for purposes of illustrating a new perspective can state “I’d like to get the bigger picture… or “I’d like to put a few things together” (Egan, 2019, p. 179). According to Egan, it is also important to help clients create summaries. The counselor can ask the client to put together the major points or concerns of the issue and to articulate them Egan, 2019, p. 180).
Carl Rogers saw the importance of these ways to respond. In this Basic Listening Sequence BLS, he saw the skills of the counselor in how he/she responds to be most crucial. The utilization of open/closed questions, encouraging, reflecting feelings, paraphrasing and summarizing were all critical elements in the empathetic relationship and understanding the story (Ivey, 2019,p.194).
Pitfalls to Avoid When Responding
Responses while helpful can also be detrimental when not properly utilized by the counselor during a session. A counselor needs to avoid certain responses that derail the process or make the client uncomfortable. Not responding or asking too many questions are two extremes to avoid. Not responding can remove merit from a statement or display disinterest to the conversation. While sometimes silence can be powerful, not saying anything or responding is usually non productive to the counseling session (Egan, 2019.p. 155). It is also a dis-service merely to respond for the sole purpose of it. Counselors should avoid parroting or repeating without context Parroting dismisses any empathetic response (Egan, 2019, P. 156)
Counselors need to avoid distracting questions when working with clients
In addition to not responding, some counselors misuse questioning. They can either over utilize it and make the session appear as an interrogation, or ask distracting questions that inflame rather than heal. For instance, instead of responding with empathy, some counselors can ask inflaming and distracting questions that upset the client. Instead of focusing on the client’s feelings, the question looks at how the client may have responded. “Did you confront him” or ” Did you do anything at all” or “Are you positive you cannot resolve this” (Egan, 2019., p. 155). These questions again distract from the story and the emotion and can cause irritation in the client as he/she focuses on a personal injustice or slight.
Cliches are another responses that should be avoided. In grief counseling, cliches are counter-productive. In general counseling, they are also counter-productive. Cliches can minimize the conversation and cheapen it. They attempt to replace understanding and empathy with a more generic and impersonal response (Egan, 2019, p. 155). Clients can hear cliches from the next door neighbor, they do not need to hear them from trained professionals that are their to help assist them in resolving issues.
Another pitfall is how counselors advise clients. In the counselor-client model, most people expect advise from a counselor. Other cultures may demand it. However, in counseling, the counselor does not exist to advice a course of action, but presents a host of options for the client to choose. The client is in control and the counseling relationship is one of teamwork and collaboration. When the client is told what to do, then the counseling relationship strips the client of self discovery and self healing. The client is not looking for a family member to give un-wanted advice, but a set of options. Instead of saying what to do, instead utilize “if I was in your situation, here are a few options that I might look into” (Egan, 2019, 156).
Interpretations based on theories and models are also tempting responses that have a time and place but usually not in responses. A counselor may have a wealth of knowledge to share, but when interpretations and labeling of an client’s state of mind overtake empathetic responses, then the process of counseling can become derailed. Instead of giving a moralistic interpretation based on past study, respond to the client’s feelings (Egan, 2019. p. 155).
Counselors need to be also honest in their responses to a client. Pretending to respond with ingenuine “Uh huh” or “Ok” can lead to later issues when the counselor is expected to remember or understand something previously stated by the client. Hence if, one loses sight, or track of a story, it is far better not to pretend to understand but to ask for clarification. This is not only polite and professional but it also shows genuine interest and also pushes the client to better explain the issue which alone may be beneficial (Egan, 2019, p. 157).
Finally, a counselor’s response should not be sympathetic and agreeing for the sake of being so. Empathy is far different than sympathy. Many times sympathy can drown logic and allow one to lose focus on the facts. An empathetic counselor while caring remains grounded. The counselor response is not overtly sympathetic or judgmental but one that addresses emotion and the issue in a caring way. The client is looking for help beyond a shoulder to cry on (Egan, 2019, p. 157).
Conclusion
A grief counselor’s response to a client is key in helping the client tell the story. The response is tied to good observation of the client’s emotions. Good responses are helpful in transitioning the story, moving it forward, but also in in proper feedback about the story. Empathy is the guiding force in responding. Grief Counselors can utilize nudges or prompts with verbal and non-verbal responses. Some verbal responses can be one word or a phrase, while some may include paraphrasing or summaries. Good counselors utilize responses like an artist and interweave them throughout the counseling process.
Please review AIHCP’s multiple mental health certifications including Grief Counseling and Christian Counseling
Please also review AIHCP’s numerous mental health certifications that involve counseling skills. AIHCP offers a Grief Counseling Certification, as well as a Christian Counseling Certification. Other topics include crisis counseling, stress management and anger management. All of the programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification.
References
Egan, G & Reese. R. (2019). “The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping” (11th Ed). Cengage
Ivey, A. et, al. (2019). “Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development6 in a Multicultural Society” (9th Ed.) Cengage
Additional Resources
Bennett, T. “Empathic responding (or active listening) in counseling: A basic, yet essential response for counselors to master in their practice”. Thriveworks. Access here
Sutton, J. (2022). “Communication Skills in Counseling & Therapy: 17 Techniques”. Positive Psychology. Access here
“ENCOURAGERS, PARAPHRASING AND SUMMARISING”. Counseling Connection. Access here
“What Are The Benefits Of Paraphrasing In Counseling”. Processing Therapy. Access here
Helping individuals from one point of need to the final point of self resilience and healing is the process of counseling itself, however, many times counselors helping others with grief, issues of loss, or problems in life become loss in the process. Maintaining a sense of direction when helping is key. While there is a partnership in the counseling relationship, the counselor still nonetheless is the guider within the partnership. The counselor directs the process and guides it to its eventual end point. Whatever counseling philosophy or model one incorporates, it is still essential to have a template of how to help resolve a particular issue. Problem Management is a key arrow and guiding modality to help counselors and clients stay on track and have a sense of direction. It is essentially the compass or navigation control in the counseling session. Good counselors understand its use and properly utilize it during counseling. In this short blog, we will review its essential nature in counseling and how to properly incorporate it with a client.
We will also note how Problem Management lays the foundation and structure for a counseling session and compare it to the 5 Stage Model of Carl Rogers.
Counselors help clients identify problems, offer solutions, and incorporate goals and ways to achieve them
Problem Management: Four Questions
When a client attends counseling, he/she is looking for guidance in a particular struggle. Whether it is more complex trauma or loss, or instead a simpler issue revolving around a decision to find a job or not, clients are seeking guidance. While the clients ultimately determine the outcome, they seek guidance with options and how to accomplish a given thing. Counselors can help guide clients through Problem Management and its four questions. The process involves the current picture, preferred picture, a way forward and action itself.
First, the counselor will ask questions about the current problem and current picture.. According to Egan, one should ask a client, what his/her issues or concerns pertain to (2019, p. 45)? Within this first stage of helping the client, the counselor can help the client discover and identify the issue. The first task involves the story itself. What is the primary problem and main concerns (Egan, 2019, p. 48)? When discussing the story, the counselor should help the client possibly see new perspectives to the problem and what may be really going on beyond the client’s initial story. Finally, the counselor should be able to direct the client to the right story and what he/she should be working on. This process leads to first listening, but then helping the client identify beyond his/her perceptions and find the right story and the keys surrounding it (Egan, 2019, p. 48). For example, a person who is obese may discuss multiple issues revolving around self image and poor diet/health. Discussing the primary problem and identifying perceptions of self image and directing the person to the core of the problem is important. Leading the client to the right story and issue sometimes takes time, but is essential.
After helping the client identify the right issue at hand, the counselor needs to help the client look beyond the current picture and propose a preferred picture. The primary question should include what does a better picture look like? Within this phase, according to Egan, the counselor helps the client determine problem managing outcomes and set goals (2019, p. 48). What are the possibilities for a better outcome entail? What goals and outcomes are truly the most critical and important? Finally, what is the client willing to do to achieve these outcomes (2019, p.48). Ultimately, these better outcomes and preferred pictures involve effort. In this phase, again the example of the obese client will see a preferred picture of weight loss, better health and higher self esteem.
Following the preferred picture, the counselor looks to guide the client forward. The counseling sessions look to help the person move forward with a plan. The client and counselor should brain storm with possible ideas and strategies to resolve a particular issue. The counselor will help narrow down the best fit strategies for the particular client and then help the client organize a way to accomplish these goals (Egan, 2019, P. 48). In the case and example of the obese client, the counselor will discuss diet and exercise strategies and then see which particular strategies fit best with the client’s work and life schedule. The counselor will then help coordinate first steps and possible times to put things into action.
These three phases of identifying problems, seeking better outcomes and making plans all lead to a call to action. How well will this call to action being implemented depends on many subjective factors within the client.
Clients and Change
Human beings, despite perfect plans, usually fail to accomplish goals the first time. This requires patient and flexibility by the counselor to help facilitate lasting change and resiliency within the client
Counselors can only direct, they cannot force a client to change. Hence it is important to help facilitate change but not to expect perfection. Change takes time. Some clients may be more resilient to let downs, or more focused in accomplishing a task. It is important to expect a back and forth wavering between stages. Clients when they finally become aware of a problem enter into various phases to push forward in change. According to Egan, individuals looking for change after initial awareness of a problem, will still waver, until the awareness leads to a heightened level (2019, p. 56). This leads to preliminary actions and a search for remedies. Within this, individuals estimate costs and weigh those costs of a change. They soon turn to more rational decision that is not only rational but tied to emotional change. This leads to serious action. However, these actions still require maintenance and the reality that relapse can occur (Egan, 2019, p.57-58).
It is the counselors job to help nurture positive change and guide clients through pitfalls. Those facing addiction issues, or in our example, one facing weight loss challenges, will wish to change but may sometimes not be emotionally tied to the rational decision enough to take the serious action. Others may do well for a few months and not be able to maintain what is demanded, or worst, yet relapse into addiction, or fall off their diet. Counselors are there to help guide in those cases and foster resilience. This may involve returning to the Problem Management model at an earlier stage to again find grounding and direction.
This is why counselors must ever remain flexible in their approach. Somethings may work for one client but not another. Counselors need to constantly “mine” various approaches or counseling philosophies that will help a particular client (Egan, 2019, p. 58). The counselor then organizes what works best, evaluates it and incorporates it into the various phases of the Problem Management Model (2019, p, 58-59)
Pitfalls to Avoid in Problem Management
When helping clients identify issues, outcomes and plans of action, there are some pitfalls that counselors need to avoid. Counselors need to avoid a lack of plan in their work. Some helpers go session by session without a uniform plan set into play. Others on the contrary attempt to implement to many plans at once. While there are many good models, not all models fit for a particular person, so each model and stage of helping, needs to be tailored to the individual client. Avoiding rigidness and being flexible in approach is key with an understanding that one can go back and forth between stages. It is also important to include the client in the process. Since counseling is a partnership, then it is essential to share the helping models with the client. This is an element of psycho-educational healing. A client who is part of the process understands the points of reference and can better track oneself in the healing and change process (Egan, 2019, p. 60-61). Finally, while important as it is to utilize flexibility, a good counselor can recognize lack of progress on part of the client and when to help the client push forward (Egan, 2019, p52).
Hence the process while simple in theory is more difficult when people become involved. People are complex and no one person is the same. This leads to the need of flexibility, testing and feedback, and trying other things within the parameters of the Problem Management model. Some clients may process the issue quicker, others may take longer. Some my engage in a certain stage a different way than another, while others will regress or progress. This is why counseling while a science is also an art. The individual talents of a counselor go well beyond the models and theories but also helping others implement what needs to be done through a variety of skills that involve evaluation and guidance.
Problem Management and Carl Roger’s 5 Stage Model
The great Humanist counselor, Carl Rogers, understood the importance of structure in helping clients find direction. At the source, he also made his care patient based and utilized empathy to help individuals find healing. In previous blogs, we discuss the Humanistic Approach.
In regards to Carl Rogers, the Problem Management Model shares many similarities with the 5 Stage Model. Carl Rogers listed 5 important stages within any counseling relationship that are essential in directing an individual towards healing. The first stage involves an empathetic relationship. Within this first stage, the counselor looks to build rapport with the client through empathy, trust building and establishing a goals and direction (Ivey, 2018, p. 194). This stage is so critical because many counselor/client relationships end because of a disconnect. Whether due to insensitivity or indifference that is purposeful or perceived, the relationship is never able to grow. The client does not feel the counselor cares or truly invests in the problem. Furthermore, in our previous blogs, it can be due to multicultural issues that are perceived by the client. The client may feel a young woman may not understand himself, an older man, or a black woman, feeling a white middle class counselor will not understand her issues of social injustice.
Rogers second stage includes understanding the story. Stage two is labeled Story and Strengths and focuses on the story itself. Collecting data, drawing out the story and establishing early goals are essential (Ivey, 2018, p., 194). Of course this stage demands good attending of the client. It involves active listening and good responding skills that emphasize reflecting feelings, paraphrasing and summarizing as needed to have a full understanding of the story. It involves empathetic understanding of the client and identifying strengths and weaknesses, truth and discrepancies, and helping to build up with the client.
Stage three involves in identifying and establishing goals that best fit the needs of the client. It is a collaborative effort where as a team, the counselor and client identify the best goals and options (Ivey, 2019, p. 194). This stage is very similar to the Problem Management Model, where after feelings are identified, then the client is asked beyond the current picture, what is the preferred picture? Hence, the similarities show a concrete plan in helping the client from one point to another and helping the counseling sessions move forward with purpose and direction.
Rogers’ stage four continues align with the Problem Management Model in continuing to identify the preferred picture. Within this stage, the Restory stage, the client is asked to identify alternative goals, confront issues and rewrite the narrative (Ivey, 2018, p. 194). It is the completion of the preferred picture and implementation of a plan.
Finally, the final stage, looks at action and how to achieve it and also deal with set backs (Ivey, 2018, p. 194). Hence one can see the similarities but also see a common art and science that should guide a counselor in helping individuals through problems. There is a common theme and way to do things. There is a general current that one should allow counseling sessions to flow. The flow may be different at certain times, but the general direction is essential.
Conclusion
It is essential to have a plan. Counseling is structured while also flexible. It has a purpose and a plan to reach a goal. The flexibility is how to reach that goal not the goal itself. Problem Management helps the counseling relationship stay structured in regards to the issue. It helps identify the issue, state the better outcome and help give the tools and plans to accomplish it. Counselors need to work their clients to the desired change but while doing so understand the nature of change within the human person and the need to keep trying when results do not appear. The counselor not only guides the client to facilitate positive change but also helps the client get up when the client falls.
Please also review AIHCP’s numerous mental health programs, including its Grief Counseling and Christian Counseling Certification Programs
Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification as well as its Christian Counseling Program. AIHCP also offers Spiritual Counseling, Stress Management, Crisis Intervention and Anger Management programs to help train professionals in facilitating positive changes in clients. Utilization of a Problem Management paradigm is essential in all of these models. AIHCP’s programs are all independent study and online.
Reference
Egan, G & Reese, R. (2019). “The Skilled Helper: A Problem Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping” (11th Ed.) Cengage.
Additional Resources
“Problem-Solving Models: What They Are and How To Use Them”. (2023). Indeed Editorial Staff. Indeed. Access here
Cuncic, A. (2024). “What Is Problem-Solving Therapy?”. Very Well Mind. Access here
Antonatos, L. (2023). “Problem-Solving Therapy: How It Works & What to Expect”. Choosing Therapy. Access here
Attending skills and attending the client are the initial phases of patient interaction with a counselor. It involves how well the counselor attends the client through listening, observing and feedback skills. These basic skills set the table for productive counseling.
Attending to the client involves listening and observing skills that lead to better feedback. Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification as well as its Christian Counseling Certification
The fundamental foundation in conversation and communication is listening. When others try to interrupt or speak over each other, the purpose of communication is crippled. Listening is a key communication skill that helps one understand the other half of the conversation. It allows one to learn about the other person and be able to make productive comments to the process of the conversation. When listening fails, communication fails. No wonder then, counselors, whether clinical or pastoral, whether in grief, spiritual or general counseling fields need to develop this skill in counseling.
When working with someone, whether in basic clinical interviewing where information is collected, or in counseling itself, where one hopes to help someone find healing or progress in life, listening is a key ingredient. When counselors fail to listen properly, the counseling process itself fails. Clients sense when their issues are addressed or if the counselor cares about what they are telling them. Hence, listening and giving good feedback is key not only for providing help but also creating a relationship between counselor and client. A counselor who listens is not only better able to help the client but is also better able to give the client a sense of meaning. Through listening, the client feels someone cares about his/her problem and is willing to listen and offer productive advice and guidance in the process.
The Counselor and Client Relationship
The counselor and client relationship is key. When the counselor makes him/herself available to the client, he/she invites the client into a professional and therapeutic relationship. Through this communication, a team evolves that works together for the benefit of the client. In essence it becomes an alliance (Egan, 2019, p. 67). Any good alliance is built upon good communication and listening. The counselor builds the relationship first via listening. Through listening, communication begins, through communication, trust emerges, and through trust, a relationship that can heal begins.
The Art of Attending
Attending a client involves both listening and also observing. When attending to a client, the counselor reduces talk time and provides clients with the timeframe to speak (Ivey, 2018, p. 75). Conducive to this is how a counselor attends to the client from four physical aspects. These attending aspects include visual contact, vocal qualities, verbal tracking and body/facial expressions (Ivey, 2018, p. 75). In regards to eye contact, when someone looks away, it denotes for many, a sign of disrespect or lack of interest. Hence good visual contact involves eye contact. This does not necessarily mean awkward staring, but it does denote eye contact during conversation. This promotes the sense that one is genuinely interested in the story of the client and promotes the process of counseling itself. Vocal qualities also play a key role in the attending art. Tones and speech rate can be interpreted by the client as positive or negative based on the counselor’s speech. A counselor who seems upset via a tone, can quickly scare away a client or embarrass a client from further discussion. A calm and sensitive tone is essential to provide security to the client while his/her story is being told. While listening it is also essential to track the conversation. It is important to keep the client tied to the initiated topic (Ivey, 2018, p. 75). Good listening helps keep the conversation in a good and purposeful direction. Finally, one’s body language and facial expressions can play a key role in attending. An awkward or angry face, or turning away from a person can have the same negative effects as the tone of one’s voice. Egan recommends facing the person squarely, adopting an open posture and sometimes leaning forward as needed during the conversation (2018, p. 101). Instead of folding one’s arms, or shifting and moving, one can create a safe sense of being for the client during the narrative. Bear in mind also cultural aspects. Some individuals may be from a different and diverse culture that utilizes different ways of expressing certain emotions. This can lead to different postures or emotional ways of expression. It is important to be aware of other cultures and their views and to also be aware of oneself and how one’s own appearance, race, faith or culture can affect the client one is attending and trying to help.
Dialogue and Listening
Empathetic listening is an important skill that lets the client know his/her story matters
A good conversation involves taking turns during it. It involves connecting and mutually influencing each other (Egan, 2018, p. 100). It not only a monologue but a shared story that each party invests in. Good listening skills help the counselor make the most of the narrative but some types of listening miss the point. Egan points out that partial listening is one type of listening that counselors need to avoid. When counselors only partially listen, they only skim the surface. They pick up parts of the conversation and miss others. When questioned by the client, their response is less complete and can cause problems with the client (2018, p. 107). Another poor listening skill, according to Egan, is an audio-recording style of listening, where the counselor simply parrots what the client has expressed. In this case, the paraphrase adds no insight or questioning but merely repeats. Sometimes, repeating something has power and can be utilized but if paraphrasing is utilized in parrot form consistently, then it only mirrors and gives no true insight. Counselors need to listen to the client’s experiences, thoughts, behaviors and feelings and better respond to those things with insight (Egan, 2018, p. 108). This insight should not be judgmental, but should be slowly integrated into the responses. The response then should not merely always paraphrase or repeat, but the listening should produce a paraphrase that not only restates but also probes deeper, but without judgment or necessarily value based accusations. The key is to help the client find the answer because ultimately the client is in the driver seat. Finally, Egan points out that another form of bad listening involves rehearsing. Many novice counselors are looking for the perfect answer or solution, or even the proper response. During this, counselors can become dominated during listening as to what their response will be instead of what the client is discussing (2018, p. 107). Effective helpers do not stop listening to derive a solution but continue to listen instead of preparing what they will say next.
Other Distortions in Listening
Egan points out a few other ways distortions to listening that can occur even to counselors who are fully paying attention. Egan states that it near impossible to listen to someone in a completely unbiased way but counselors need to try their very best to filter these assumptions (2018, p. 125). A counselor who is a white male may use filters from his own life that could distort cultural differences from a black female. This bias could side track both parties. Hence it is critical to remove types of subconscious bias when listening to the narrative of a person from a different race, culture, or faith. In addition, during listening, it is important to avoid evaluative listening. Egan defines evaluative listening as judgmental listening. It involves seeing statements as good or bad, or right or wrong or acceptable or unacceptable (2018, p. 126). Clients need to be first understood before productive change is introduced. Another type of distortion involves stereotyping a client based on diagnosis. This type of listening involves labeling the individual. While diagnosis is important, when focusing solely on diagnosis of the individual, the counselor puts the client in a box. Egan states the counselor can be correct in diagnosis but still lose the person (2018, p. 127). Finally, it is important for counselors not to fall victim to sympathetic listening, where they become solely captivated and emotional about the client’s situation while missing the objective facts. Sometimes too much sympathy can limit effective helping (Egan, 2018, p. 127).
Importance of Empathy and Finding Missing Cues
Counselors can discover various insights into a client through various physical cues
Empathy is crucial in human relationships. An empathetic person is able to understand the other person emotionally and feel what it may be like to experience certain things. Empathetic listening allows the counselor to take a sincere and honest interest in the client but still remain objective. Carl Rogers, author of the Humanistic Approach in counseling, emphasized the importance of acute empathy and the utilization of it throughout the discussion. Empathetic listening according to Ivey can be subtractive, basic or additive. When subtractive, the counselor gives less back in response and the response is sometimes distortive and hence ineffective. When the empathy is basic, it is an accurate feedback. One needs to avoid completely audio-repeating but it sufficient to help the client. Additive empathy is the best because it reframes but also may include past statements or include additional information to produce positive change (Ivey, 2018. p. 67). Again, these rephrases, summaries or reflections are not meant to be commands but are used to guide. They are not meant to impose judgment or value either, but awaken the client to other views or self actualizations.
Counselors have a wide variety of ways to respond through their listening and observing skills, some may include generalizing or summarizing, paraphrasing or reflecting on various issues. Regardless, they need to be at least additive or basic in empathy. Summarizing is a broad basic account of the dialogue. Paraphrasing is more acute but it can be basic or additive. Reflective is very additive in nature but connects the dialogue to self and offers insight and questions on the statement.
Empathetic listening is key in helping clients and is the basis for a client-based therapy (Egan, 2018, p. 67). Through empathetic listening, one can become more attune to verbal and non-verbal cues that can reveal issues surrounding the story. Counselors should watch for tone of voice in responses, facial expressions or body movements during the conversation. How a client speaks or responds to a question can be a key clue (Egan, 2018, p.116). Ivey recommends mirroring sometimes the client. When movements do not clearly match and shifts and jerks within the client appear, then this could be a sign of an issue (2018. p. 99).
As noted, counselors need to watch for changes in tone of speech or physical movements. Good observing skills, in addition to good listening can help counselors discover other missing pieces of the puzzle. In regards to some verbal behaviors, Ivey emphasizes that counselors should carefully watch “I” statements or “other” statements. Are these statements positive or negative regarding “I” or “other” (2018, p. 93). Ivey also recommends looking for words such as “can” and “can’t”. Some clients as well are more concrete in their speech, while others are more abstract. During listening and observation, a counselor needs to identify this. Abstract clients are excellent at self analysis and reflecting on an issue, but may struggle with concrete issues. More concrete clients may be able to provide specifics, but be less able to see the point of views of others. Both types have their strengths, but it is important for a counselor to identify which type of speech one is listening and observing (Ivey, 2018, p. 91). During interviewing or counseling, a counselor may be able to find cues to the issue through various discrepancies throughout the clients story. Ivey points out that contradictions may occur between statements, or between words and actions, or regarding goals. It is important for the counselor to identify these discrepancies and in a non-confrontational way expose them to the client (Ivey, 2018, p. 99).
In listening empathetically and avoiding bad and distortions of listening , one can better hear the client’s experiences, thoughts, behaviors and feelings and not miss various cues of other issues.
Conclusion
Proper attending of the client is key for good counseling. Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification
Attending a client involves good listening and observing with feedback that reflects this. Counselors need to develop good listening skills for the betterment of their clients. Listening forms the foundation for any relationship and it is important to avoid bad listening habits. Counselors can better attend their clients through a patient-centered model that is empathetic and humanistic. Neuro-science studies portray that when clients are properly listened to and given feedback that show thought and reflection corresponding with listening, then certain parts of the brain light up in positive ways (Ivey, 2018, p. 77). Listening plays a key role in making a positive effect on one’s client. It lets the client realize someone actually is listening and cares and is providing feedback to produce positive change.
If you would like to learn more about helping other people or would like to become certified in Grief Counseling or Christian Counseling, then please review AIHCP’s certifications in these fields. The programs are open to both clinical and non-clinical counselors who would like to earn a certification in these fields and add to their existing practice. The Grief Counseling and Christian Counseling programs are online and independent study and lead to a four year certification.
References and Additional Resources
Egan, G & Reese, R. (2018). “The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping (11th)”. Cengage.
Ivey, A. et, al. (2018). “Intentional Interviewing and Counseling: Facilitating Client Development in a Multicultural Society (9th)” Cengage.
Sutton, J. (2021). “Defining the Counseling Process and Its Stages”. Positive Psychology. Access here
“Reflecting Skills”. Counseling Education. Access here
Many times Christian Counseling is understood in the more generic sense of the word, namely, counseling with a biblical emphasis. Yet, the range and extreme in which how Christian Counseling integrates modern psychology is very broad within different schools. Hence in regards to using the words Christian Counseling and Biblical Counseling it would be naive to use them as inter-changeable words. This is because many Biblical Counselors who are only pastors may have a very differently distinct approach than a Christian Counselor with a professional license. Hence within the broad range of Christian Counseling, Biblical Counseling may appear the same but within a certain approach it is not. They do differ. But we must also concisely define Christian Counseling.
Is one defining Christian Counseling as an Integrative Approach? Or is one seeing Christian Counseling as a general term and overall umbrella of different approaches including Biblical Counseling as a particular approach. It is sometimes up to whomever is writing the text or providing the lecture. So Biblical Counseling can be a type of Christian Counseling, or a different approach than Christian Counseling when Christian Counseling is seen as only a particular module and not a collective name.
Biblical Counseling; Benefits and Disadvantages?
There slight differences in Biblical Counseling and Christian Counseling that are important to note
Biblical Counseling understands the Christian faith as a psychology itself (Johnson, E. Ed. 2010, p. 245). It further, according to David Powlison, sees Christian Ministry as a psychotherapy (Johnson, E, Ed., p. 245). Biblical Counseling hence looks to find within Scripture and ultimately within Jesus Christ, various ways to help people with mental or moral issues and identify the root cause as sin. This approach emphasizes the root cause of sin in mental life. Hence, in reviewing a person’s issues, absolute Biblical Counseling identifies the root vice as a source for the pathology. Whether pride, lust or any other vice, Biblical Counseling looks to eradicate the vice to help the person transform from sinful life and find grace and life in Christ. It looks to pastorally guide souls and cure these souls from sin via Jesus Christ (Johnson, E, Ed. 2010, p. 245).
As Christians, we all concur that God is source of all truth and wisdom. He is the author of Scripture and also the author of our mental processes. Hence Powlison and many Biblical Counselors equate psychology and faith on equal grounds. Any secular views of psychology that are not within Scripture or friendly to a Christian view are automatically dismissed. This bias against secular views is sometimes a good thing in rejecting immoral behavior but it can also become overtly suspicious of modern findings. For instance, secular psychology is rapidly legitimizing gender idealogy which is contrary to the Bible and Christian faith. Secular psychology has in many cases justified and accepted immoral concepts to Christians as normal and natural, but Christians have rightfully dismissed them. Does this mean secular psychology and its methodologies should be completely dismissed? What about understand the “why” of moral actions within the human mind?. While secular psychology’s conclusion of immoral acts as morally acceptable is overreaching, psychology provides proven methodologies to understand the mental impulse for a particular action. It is not always actual sin or choice but something deeper at a mental, biological and physiological level. Biblical Counseling in many cases holds to only the nature of the moral action and not the new discoveries of the why of the moral action that are beyond the constructs of moral theology and conscience.
Ultimately Original Sin is the cause of all pathology, but do doctors look to moral theology to cure the body of pathology which ultimately finds it origin in the sin of Adam? One’s own actual sins play a key role in mental pathology and in many cases can be a root cause, but sometimes mental illness exists independent of vice existing within the person. Many times Powlison muddles the water between brain and soul. Pathologies within the brain are not pathologies of the soul, albeit, the brain plays a key role in feeding epistemological knowledge about one’s surroundings and internal feelings. The soul, as fused with the body, in humanity’s temporal form, is dependent upon the brain but the pathologies of the brain while affecting the soul are not always sin of the soul.
Hence Biblical Counseling, in its extreme pastoral sense, becomes more of a sermon on faith, tied together with human experience that can become separated from proven psychological methods. It mistakenly hopes to utilize Scripture as a all purpose book when Scripture, while full of wisdom, is not meant for every aspect of human existence. Its primary goal is salvation and not necessarily biological or mental processes.
Powlison opens his chapter with the comment of St Augustine ” I believe so that you may understand” (Johnson, E, Ed., p 246). This theological statement within philosophy and theology for belief of God, if in turn, is used to promote a psychology remains stuck within a premodern concept of science. When dealing with mental pathology, even when utilizing a Christian frame work, one must study the mind and brain with an empirical understanding. Psychology is not metaphysics but the study of observable things. So while God is the author of both, God has also given humanity different tools to study different sciences.
Biblical Counseling is an Approach within Christian Counseling
Hence biblical counseling is a type of Christian Counseling but not a monopolized ideal of it. Christian Counseling within the Integrated Approach utilizes modern science. It starts with the ideal that sin causes all evil in this world and finds Scripture and the Christian faith as its foundation. It takes from Scripture a sampled amount of wisdom but also utilizes the scientific method to help identify pathologies that are beyond the soul and vice but within the brain and body. This is a balance that does not denounce Christ as the ultimate counselor or looks to Scripture to identify certain moral and mental questions, but it understands the scope of Scripture as a spiritual text not the DSM-5.
More modernist approaches may put Scripture second hand within the psychology and take an extremely opposite approach that forces Christian values and morals to adhere and adjust to new findings, but the Integrated Approach carefully balances science and faith not at the expense of the other. The Levels of Explanation Approach to psychology puts Scripture at the expense of modern findings, while absolute Biblical Counseling Approach challenges and fears secular findings. God is the source of truth. If Scripture contradicts science, either Scripture is misinterpreted, or the science is simply bad. God is the source of truth. The case of Galileo should remind all of the necessity of a balance and understanding where metaphysics and faith ends and empirical study starts.
For more information on the Levels of Explanation Approach, please review the previous blog entitled Christian Counseling and Psychology. In that blog we look at Levels of Explanation, Integration and Biblical Counseling in psychology and how they differ.
Biblical Counseling and Other More Conservative Approaches
Christian Counseling has different approaches, some more conservative than others
Integrative Approach is obviously the middle ground and most utilized approach. Many Christian Counselors who are licensed and posses psychology degrees but remain a fervent faith apply this approach, while pastors and those within theology and metaphysics employ the Only Biblical Approach with suspicion to many secular views. Still other schools of thought exist that veer right from the Integrated Approach and remain polar opposite from the secular schools that look to separate the bible from psychology totally.
Christian Psychology is one such approach that takes the Integrative Approach more Christian based and looks to determine an entire psychology founded within the Christian tradition. If psychology is termed “the science that studies the behavior and mental process of persons” then Christian Psychology would add as understood within the norm “Christian texts and traditions of interpretation” (Johnson, E. Ed. p. 87). Christian Psychology attempts to collect beyond just merely Scripture, but the entirety of Christian philosophy and teaching to orientate a more Christian experience in the psychological process. Like Biblical Counseling, it dismisses immorality but it is far more open to other scientific findings with less bias. It, however, differs from the Integrated Approach in that takes more from the Christian tradition. It less integrated and sometimes will prioritize Christian views over secular at a more extreme level. Like the Integrated Approach, Christian Psychology will utilize CBT, Psychodynamic theories, or Humanistic approaches, but it will; not only incorporate but interpret at a more Christian level. It can also emphasize mental pathology, like Biblical Counseling, as more a source of sin. Hence many who are found within this approach, like Biblical Counseling, are pastors or those of metaphysical background than those within a purely psychological background.
Finally, the Transformationalist Approach, considers psychology and counseling to be a complete spiritual transformation in life. Holding to very strong biblical roots, it finds all starting points in Christ and dismisses modern secular theories but instead turns to the person him/herself. It looks to classical science of not adhering to the empirical and universal method of observation but allowing the object itself to determine methodology. It respects at a higher level phenomenon. This leaves it disagreement with Biblical Counseling and its acceptance of modern methods of associated with science. Phenomenology plays a key role. This is something that is important because not all experiences should be held to the modern empirical method. Since modern science and the extreme philosophy of many logical positivists, empiricism became a religion and the only way to explore the natural world. Yet human experience is far more wide ranging and different ways to investigate existence sometimes are not a good fit with the empirical methodology. Yet, it is the Transformational Approach’s complete dismissal of secular modern methods that places it in some ways more extreme in regards to bias to secular science than even the Biblical Approach. But, like the Biblical Approach, it still sees mental pathology as a source of sin and looks to find healing through transformation via Christ.
What is Shared and Not Shared in all the Christian Counseling Views
All views recognize God as the source of all knowledge and truth. All views understand humanity’s fallen nature. All views understand the importance of Scripture as a starting point for all counseling. Finally, all views share in a common love to bring all to Christ. However, the limit, degree, and dismissal of secular and modern psychology differ between these views. The Levels of Explanation Approach is probably the most extreme version that separates both Christian belief and psychology but finds mutual respect as both believer and psychologist while the Biblical, Christian Psychology and Transformative Approach all to differing degrees tip the scale into a more spiritual experience over psychological, while the Integrative approach balances both faith and science to compliment one another.
So is Biblical Counseling the same as Christian Counseling. If used in the generic, it may seem to be an inter-changeable word, but it remains a far more spiritual experience than within the family of Christian Counseling than other forms that utilize more modern methods incorporated with secular science.
Conclusion
Ultimately Christ is the source of all counseling. Please review AIHCP’S Christian Counseling Certification
In my view, faith and science are both from God as the source of all truth. We live in a fallen world and Original sin and Actual sin all play prominent roles in bad lives, but there is also a mental and biological process separate from the metaphysical. True, they can interact, but not all pathology is rooted in vice. The brain is not the soul. Not every counseling session is about restoration to Christ but sometimes is about helping someone with a purely mental issue. Scripture and the Christian tradition is a starting point, but I do not see Scripture as a biology or science book but a spiritual book. Does it contain vital wisdom for other sources? Absolutely. That is core idea of Christian Counseling itself. But it must be utilized within an Integrated Approach to properly balance spiritual healing when needed versus mental healing.
Always, Christ is the ultimate Counselor, but there are other tools within the sciences beyond Scripture when dealing with nature and humanity that are critical. Would I merely limit them to the empirical method? No. I would also say experience is open to other ways of measuring experience via Phenomenology or Philosophy or other metaphysical studies when appropriate.
Please also remember to review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification Program. The program is biblically based and possesses both Biblical and Integrative Approaches understanding the value of different approaches for different situations. The program is also online and independent study and open to both counselors and pastoral ministers.
Reference
Johnson, E. Ed. “Psychology and Christianity: Five Views”. IVP Academic (2010)
Additional Resources
Murray, D. (2012). “How Biblical is Biblical Counseling?”. The Gospel Coalition. Access here
Myers, L. “CHRISTIAN COUNSELING VS BIBLICAL COUNSELING: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?”. Cornerstone Christian Counseling. Access here
“Christian Counseling”. Psychology Today. Access here
From a spiritual and religious perspective, ritual has a soothing effect on the dying as well as the bereaved family. It symbolizes comfort and peace in the uncertainty. Spiritually, Last Rites as a series of sacraments manifest within the soul a particular grace received that helps the person prepare for happy death. Confession, Communion and Anointing constitute this series of religious rituals.
Christ Himself gave comfort to the dying and in the story of Lazarus not only comforted the family but brought him back to life. As one of His greatest miracles, Christ showed mercy and compassion. Last Rites can have physical miraculous effects but this is rare and far between but exists more so for the spiritual wellbeing of the soul. The mental and emotional side effects are also important for both the person dying as well the family surrounding the person.
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification as well as its Christian Grief Counseling Program for already existing grief counselors. Both programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals.
One’s faith is a critical component to self identity. It is a world view that acts like a compass when times of trouble occur. It is an anchor that keeps the person in place as the various “isms” of the world alter society. Hence, when loss challenges world view or spiritual belief, the person can find him/herself in an existential crisis. Many with spiritual and religious background respond strong to loss with certainty and faith, but when faith is misplaced, or when the loss is traumatic, there can be mild, moderate or even severe faith challenges to the individual.
Christianity as a faith plays the same psychological basis as any faith for a person with a world view. A Muslim, Jew, or Hindu can weather the storm of loss and grief from a psychological standpoint if their faith plays a key role in identity of the person. Likewise, spiritual individuals who may have no religious affiliation can also have strong roots in facing adversity. In addition, even atheists or agnostics, although subject to possible turmoil more than spiritually based individuals, can also have world views that allow them to show resilience in loss. Obviously, family and communal support plays a key role as well, so to merely judge one’s resilience on faith alone without considering support can lead to disparities.
Faith is a powerful tool in helping grievers find peace and healing. Healthy faith gives connection to God, beliefs and others within the community and helps one readjust and find meaning in the loss
In conclusion, for most, faith and ritual play critical roles in helping individuals understand the loss and its suffering. Rituals help heal wounds and find closure but also understanding and hope. Religion offers hope and reunion beyond the temporal world. It gives a sense of meaning to why we suffer or what we must do. Faith also gives individuals the sense of being loved by a Divine Being who cares and hopes to heal them. These are critical aspects of resiliency due the connection with God, meaning and a community of believers. However, when spirituality is unhealthy, things can go drastically wrong.
A Healthy Faith and Loss
There is also discussion in loss how much a role spirituality plays versus religious. This stems from healthy versus sick faith. A devout religious person or a devout spiritual person both have strong views that can help them through loss but also those views can become more adversely challenged when bad things happen. We hear many definitions of individuals who are spiritual but not religious, or we see on the other hand, individuals who are only outwardly religious but have no spiritual personal life. I find both imbalances unhealthy and more open to potential pitfalls during loss (if looking at faith and loss alone without any other factors).
The spiritual but religious motif is usually a response to anger towards organized religion. One is suspect to it or has had a unhealthy encounter with it. This prevents communal, ritualistic and dogmatic tenets to emerge in the person’s world view. The person becomes his/her own existential religious guide in determining faith world views. The person is deeply committed but not held to an objective standard in many cases. The person is usually also more isolated from communal religious bonds.
The purely overt religious but lacking spirituality is an equally dangerous road. The person is more concerned with show and communal approval. The dogmas are more about identity than true motivating source to act. It creates a proudful and pharisaical image that dominates unfortunately American politics and Christian nationalism. It is faith without love, but also faith without true foundation.
The proper balance is the personal and communal that incorporates the individual’s piety with the collective dogmatic creed and ritual of the religion. It balances the arrogance of religious identity but also prevents the subjectivity of wandering spirituality that self serves one’s own desires. It is religion in public and private worship perfectly balanced. An individual who preaches and who also practices one’s faith is a far more healthy spiritual person and one more adept at handling loss and grief. They have identity, ritual and communal support but also deep spiritual understanding of the ritual and faith and it nourishes the soul. It is not a subjective self chosen diet of faith but one that rests upon the tenets of a faith handed down for generations.
Hence healthy faith is critical in responding to loss. Religious and spiritual individuals may respond to loss in very positive ways due to their faith but when faith is not healthy, it can derail the grieving process in mild, moderate or more serious ways.
Issues in Faith and Loss
Christian Counselors, Pastoral Counselors or Grief Counselors when dealing with faith based individuals and loss should always tread easy when first discussing God and loss with a distressed individual. Individuals experiencing loss are no longer intellectual at first. They are in a state of shock and numbness. This follows with denial and an array of emotions, which include sadness, anger and even guilt. Incorporating a comment as “Your child is now with God” or “Your husband is now in Heaven” can cause a very angry reaction towards God. This is not unnatural to have anger towards God. It is not unnatural to doubt God or question God even. Within the first days of emotional distress, this mild adverse reaction which occurs with some believers, even with the most profound faith is not something to be overtly concerned with.
Individuals may only briefly question, or this questioning may persist through the depressive stage of grief as one tries to understand loss and organize it with life’s narrative. This is especially true in more traumatic incidents, when a parent loses a child, or an entire town is destroyed by a tornado. It becomes quite difficult through the depressive and mourning stage to understand God’s presence. Not everyone can show patience like Job and that is OK.
When the loss challenges the faith and doubt emerges, complications within the grieving process can occur. Usually unhealthy faith is more vulnerable to spiritual complications in grieving but it can occur to anyone
Obviously as pointed out, those with an imbalanced faith, poor foundation of faith, or no faith are more subject to negative spiritual reactions about God and the loss. Obviously, one has to take into account support systems and the level of the loss in regards to reactions that are mild, moderate or severe but for most part, those with kinks in the armor of faith are more subject to moderate or severe negative spiritual reactions when dealing with a loss.
In addition to imbalance of spirituality and religious, a lack of understanding of faith can play a key role in negative experiences. Individuals who see prayer as a magic bean and God as a genie willing to grant wishes face a far more difficult grief reaction that an individual who recognizes prayer as communion with God. Likewise, individuals who consider their power of prayer as a sign of their faith and a correlation of their relationship with God are also more subject to negative spiritual reactions in loss. Prayer when it is seen as a contract and not a covenant with God creates a distortion of faith. Instead of seeing God as a genie that grants or does not grant, individuals need to see God as a Father who walks and comforts us. Can God grant our prayers? Yes, but does He always, no!.
Faith that has a strong understanding of the human condition and suffering is key. Within Christianity especially, suffering is seen as part of a fallen existence due to sin. In Christianity, God becomes human and suffers with humanity. Jesus Christ shows individuals that God’s will is not always the easiest or least painful but one that is necessary. If Christ Himself suffered, what can we expect? In the Christian faith, Christian Counselors can utilize the motif of Christ as “Suffering Servant” who suffered first as an excellent coping example when loss and grief occur. Christ suffered first. However, with that suffering and death came also victory. Christ conquered death and rose. So shall all who suffer in Christ, shall rise in Christ.
So while many individuals may feel abandoned or betrayed by God, like Job, like Christ, one can find light at the end of the tunnel. Even Christ, felt abandoned on the cross. It is OK to feel this and important to express it, as Christ Himself expressed. In the Garden and on the cross, Christ felt completely alone and abandoned, but pushed forward in faith. Hence, when we feel alone or abandoned in loss, we must realize that Christ is with us and it is important to emphasize this in Christian Counseling when dealing with loss. Christ is not always here to take away the cross, but He is definitely here to help one carry it.
Finally, in addition to misunderstanding of suffering, those with an unhealthy faith have key misunderstandings of the essence of God Himself. They can easily fall prey to the philosophical traps of the atheistic world which challenges God. The famous query, “How can a Good and All Powerful God permit suffering?” is all too used in atheistic and agnostic circles without rebuttal. If God is good then suffering should not exist, but if suffering exists, then He must not be all powerful, for a good being would never permit suffering. So the atheist or agnostic leaves the suffering individual with only two false options. Either God is not all good and a sadist being, or He is not God and not powerful enough to stop evil and suffering. This two answer only option is the trap. The fact remains, God is both good and all-powerful, but suffering and evil exists because He created intelligent beings in His image with the ability to do good or evil. Evil and suffering is a result of free choice not God. God does not wish to prevent freedom to love or hate because that would be the ultimate rejection of human and angelic freedom. The source of evil is choice, not a good God and God’s power is not in question as He permits the consequences to carry out in a fallen world.
Interventions in Spiritual Complications with Grief
The stages of grief are outlines of human experience with the grieving process. They obviously are not always linear. They can skip steps, revert back to former steps and oscillate between each other in intensity. Different individuals, depending on a variety of subjective circumstances react differently to different losses, but we can form a basis for understanding of the universal reaction to grief and draw a blue print of what is healthy and what is not healthy. When spiritual complications arise, it can derail the grieving process. Spirituality as something that is usually a anchor and help in healing can, as stated, create mild, moderate or even severe complicated grief reactions.
In the first stage, individuals respond with shock, disbelief and denial. Even the most devout and spiritual person will feel the shock and pain of the loss. How could this happen? With emotion swirling, intellect and what one consciously believes can sometimes be swept to the side. The individual may question God, or become angry with God.
For many, mild complications of grief and spirituality can lead the person back to God with more strength realizing their dependence upon God
As grief and the reality of the loss sets in, the individual enters into the dark night of sadness and pain. Some will find consolation in faith, while others may feel a desolation. Some may feel abandoned by God. This is not necessarily a complication but a natural reaction to loss. In this desolation, is there a merely a feeling of “Where are you God”, or is a more intense belief that God does not exist at all, or even a reaction of hatred towards God. While it is still too early, especially considering the varying natures of loss to consider anger towards God or disbelief in God as a severe reaction, it still nonetheless a mild reaction that could complicate spiritual readjustment later. It should be closely monitored to see how it develops in the spiritual life of the person.
In the despair and pain of loss, individuals go through three phases of spiritual reconnection. McCall, in her text, “Bereavement Counseling: Pastoral Care for Complicated Grieving” points out the trials of despair, discernment and conversion during the process of mild, moderate or severe estrangement from God. She mentions that during the despair moment, some individuals never reclaim the peace and joy of God, but instead remain haunted by the loss and a emptiness with God. They are unable to reconcile from the depression and pain, a logical bridge between the loss and their worldview.
It is following this phase, that discernment occurs. The individual either continues breaking down his/her worldview and its incompatibility with the loss, or finally finds guidance from grace or the aid of others to connect the loss with faith and the world view. This leads to renewed energy to seek forgiveness from God. Others discover how much they need God in the loss and despair. Sometimes in the darkest days, we discover how much we need God by our side. We realize that we cannot stand alone but need God. This recognition can lead to a deeper and stronger faith. However, sometimes, it can complicate things with guilt for how one behaved or create a pseudo response where one accepts one’s world view but still nonetheless with less energy and commitment as before. If not, this continues to lead further breaking down of the worldview and faith. When answered it leads to the renewal of faith and rituals, but if does not occur, then the person is unable to reintegrate the faith into one’s life at this point.
These steps are clearly seen in C.S. Lewis’ “Grief Observed” where Lewis experiences the spiritual battle between his faith and the pain and loss of his wife. He writes about his despair and depression and journals his anger and sense of abandonment. (Clearly exhibiting a mild spiritual existential crisis in his life) He however in later chapters discerns the loss, reconnects it with God, and finds meaning. He then reintegrates his faith with the loss.
After suffering, individuals enter the final stages of grief which involve acceptance of the loss. McCall lists a two fold process that involves re-organization as well as recovery itself, albeit recovery is a false word in grieving. Adjustment seems to be a far better word in grieving because no person truly recovers from loss but only learns to adjust to it in healthy ways with meaning. In the case of spirituality, one is able to connect the meaning of loss with their faith and incorporate again a healthy relationship with God via former spiritual practices. However, complications in spiritual grief become severe when this stage is unattainable. The individual does not recover his/her faith in God but instead either hates God or completely denies His existence. In even more adverse reactions, removal of all memories of the faith before, including images or statues occur, as well as a bellicose attitude towards religion or anyone who holds a religious view. The person refuses to attend rituals or pray and has completely removed their previous held worldview. The ability to tie the loss with their previous worldview is impossible. This causes a complication in the grieving process that prevents the person from finding peace or readjusting to the new narrative in a healthy fashion.
As the parable of Christ states, sometimes the seed of faith falls in fertile ground and can overcome all adversity while seeds that fall in thorny ground are never able to produce fruit. This is sometimes the sad reality but as Grief and Christian Counselors, we can try to help individuals in the infant stages of loss with support and love. During the later phases of searching and yearning, we can emphasize the true nature of suffering, its meaning, and how Christ suffers with us. It is important to help and encourage healthy grieving practices that are adaptive and not maladaptive. Support and care can prevent further despair and help the person find gratitude and hope in others and again in God. It can help individuals realize that God is still present despite the loss.
Conclusion
Faith is usually an important anchor in grief adjustment but sometimes due to a variety of reasons it can complicate the grieving process. Faith that is healthy gives connection and meaning to the grieving person to a Deity or Higher Power, as well as worldviews and a communal support system. However, sometimes faith and the loss cannot find meaning and when this occurs an existential crisis can complicate grieving. When previous held beliefs are no longer integrated and tied to the loss, then readjustment into life can become difficult and complications in grief can arise. It is important to identify issues that may arise in spiritual and religious people at the earliest phases and help not only counsel and educate but give them hope that life continues. Christian and pastoral counselors as well as grief counselors can help spiritual individuals find hope in loss.
Christ is the ultimate examples for Christians when dealing with loss and pain. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. The program is online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification in Christian Counseling.
For certified grief counselors, please also review AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counselor Program. The program explores grief, loss and suffering from a Christian perspective.
References
C.S Lewis. (1961). “Grief Observed”
McCall, Junietta. (2012). “Bereavement Counseling: Pastoral Care for Complicated Grieving”. Routledge
Additional Resources
Mendoza, M. (2020). “Complicated Spiritual Grief”. Psychology Today. Access here
Williams. L. (2022). “The Missing Link: Spirituality and Grief”. What’s Your Grief. Access here
Feldman, D. (2019). “The Power of Rituals to Heal Grief”. Psychology Today. Access here
“Easing grief through religion and spirituality”. (2015). Harvard Health Publishing. Access here
Lent is a solemn period in the Christian liturgical calendar, dedicated to fasting, prayer, and penitence in preparation for Easter. It commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, enduring Satan’s temptations. Traditionally in the West, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting until Easter, Lent is observed by various Christian denominations with diverse practices. This article explores the multifaceted aspects of Lent, from its historical origins to its contemporary observance and cultural significance. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification. Christian Counselors, pastors, and others can help others find greater fulfillment and closer union with God during the season of Lent.
Lent is a time of reflection, sacrifice, remembrance and renewal
Key Takeaways
Lent is a period of 40 days of fasting and spiritual discipline in the Christian church, leading up to Easter, excluding Sundays.
The term ‘Lent’ originates from the Old English word ‘lencten’, which means ‘spring season’, reflecting the time of year when it is observed.
Lenten practices vary among Christian denominations but commonly include fasting, abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving.
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is characterized by the imposition of ashes, symbolizing penitence and mortality.
Lent is a time for personal and communal reflection, aiming to prepare believers’ hearts for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection at Easter.
Historical Origins and Etymology of Lent
Lent in the Early Christian Church
The inception of Lent traces back to the earliest Christians who observed a time of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter. This nascent tradition evolved into a more structured period of observance by the fourth century, with Christians in Rome marking a 40-day Lent. The significance of the 40 days was to emulate the fasting of Jesus Christ in the wilderness before commencing His public ministry.
By the seventh century, the Church had formalized the duration of Lent to begin six weeks prior to Easter, excluding Sundays from the count. This adjustment resulted in 36 days of fasting, which was later augmented by an additional four days to achieve the symbolic number of 40 fasting days.
The practice of fasting before Easter was not only a spiritual exercise but also a communal preparation for the celebration of the resurrection of Christ. It was a time for the faithful to engage in self-reflection and penitence, aligning themselves with the trials and triumphs of Jesus.
The early Church’s approach to Lent included various forms of abstinence, with records indicating the consumption of only bread, vegetables, salt, and water during this period. The Canons of Hippolytus, for instance, permitted only bread and salt during Holy Week, highlighting the austerity of the observance.
The Linguistic Roots of ‘Lent’
The term ‘Lent’ has its etymological roots in the Old English word lencten, which signifies the ‘spring season.’ This connection to spring is echoed in the Dutch cognate lente and the Old High German term Lenz. The word’s origin is tied to the concept of lengthening days during the springtime, a period which coincides with the observance of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar.
The evolution of the word ‘Lent’ reflects a transition from a secular to a religious context. Initially, it described the natural season of spring, but over time, it became associated with a period of penitence and preparation for Easter. This shift underscores the adaptation of language to imbue secular terms with spiritual significance.
Old English: lencten (spring season)
Dutch: lente (still means spring)
Old High German: Lenz (related term)
The linguistic journey of ‘Lent’ from a word describing a season to one encapsulating a solemn religious observance illustrates the dynamic nature of language and its ability to capture the evolving practices and beliefs of a culture.
Evolution of Lenten Observances
The observance of Lent has undergone significant changes since its inception in the early Christian church. Initially a period for preparation of catechumens, Lent evolved into a more structured season of penance and reflection for all Christians. The practice of fasting and abstinence has been a constant, although the specifics have varied widely across different times and traditions.
In the early centuries, strict fasting was common, with one meal a day being permitted after 3 p.m.
By the Middle Ages, the rules relaxed slightly, allowing a meal at noon and some consumption of fish and dairy.
The Reformation brought about divergent practices, with some Protestant groups rejecting obligatory fasting altogether.
Today, the Lenten practices continue to diversify, reflecting the broad spectrum of Christian belief and cultural influences. While some maintain traditional fasts, others focus on charitable acts or spiritual disciplines. The start and end dates of Lent can also vary, depending on the Christian denomination and the lunar calendar used to determine the date of Easter.
The Liturgical Significance of Lent
The Forty Days of Jesus in the Wilderness
The solemn observance of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar is deeply rooted in the scriptural account of Jesus Christ’s forty days in the wilderness. This period of desert solitude was marked by fasting, prayer, and resistance to temptation, a narrative that is central to the Lenten season. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount how Jesus, following his baptism, retreated into the desert to fast and pray for forty days and forty nights; it was during this time that Satan tried to tempt him.
Christ’s time of reflection and preparation in the desert. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
The significance of these forty days is multifaceted, reflecting not only a time of preparation for Jesus’s public ministry but also a model for Christian spiritual discipline. The faithful are called to emulate Jesus’s example, using this time for introspection, penance, and spiritual renewal. The temptations faced by Jesus in the wilderness—often categorized as the temptation of physical gratification, the temptation of pride, and the temptation of power—serve as a framework for understanding the struggles inherent in the human condition.
The period leading up to Easter mirrors the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness, preparing for his ministry. It is a time for believers to reflect on their own spiritual journey, drawing closer to the divine through practices that echo Jesus’s own trials and triumphs.
The following list outlines the general understanding of the three temptations Jesus faced, as they are often interpreted in Christian teaching:
The temptation to turn stones into bread, emphasizing the physical needs over spiritual sustenance.
The temptation to test God’s willingness to protect, challenging divine authority.
The temptation to gain worldly power, forsaking divine mission for temporal authority.
Lenten Practices in Different Christian Traditions
The observance of Lent varies significantly across different Christian denominations, reflecting a rich tapestry of traditions and liturgical practices. Protestant and Orthodox Christian traditions, as well as some Anabaptist, Baptist, Methodist, Reformed, and nondenominational churches, engage in Lenten observances, though the practices and the degree of adherence differ.
Catholicism typically involves fasting, abstinence from meat, and prayerful reflection.
Orthodox Christians may observe a stricter fast, abstaining from meat, dairy, and oil. Within Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Christians, days of abstaining include both Wednesday and Friday. In addition, full fast days differ in structure as compared to the Western Church. The Orthodox also follow the Julian Calendar which permits a different start for Lent itself than the West.
Anglican and Lutheran churches often adopt a moderate approach to fasting, focusing on penitence and self-reflection.
In some Reformed and nondenominational communities, Lent may be observed with a greater emphasis on the anticipation of Easter rather than traditional penitence.
While the specifics of Lenten practices are diverse, the underlying intent remains consistent: a period of solemn reflection and preparation for the celebration of Easter. This is often expressed through the three pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Liberal and progressive Christians may place less emphasis on the traditional aspects of Lent, focusing instead on the spiritual anticipation of Easter Sunday. Despite these variations, many Lent-observing Christians incorporate spiritual disciplines such as daily devotionals or the Stations of the Cross to draw nearer to God during this season.
The Theology Behind Lenten Sacrifice
The theology behind Lenten sacrifice is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition of emulating Jesus Christ’s 40-day journey in the wilderness, where he fasted and faced temptation. This period of abstinence is seen as a time for believers to strengthen their faith and reflect on the sacrifice of Christ. Lenten sacrifices are varied and can range from fasting to giving up certain luxuries, all aimed at personal spiritual growth and discipline.
The practice of Lenten sacrifice is not merely about abstaining from material comforts, but rather a transformative experience that aligns the faithful with the spiritual journey of Christ.
Lenten disciplines may include:
Prayer and meditation to foster a closer relationship with God.
Almsgiving and charitable works as expressions of compassion and solidarity with the less fortunate.
Acts of self-denial to cultivate humility and self-control.
These practices are intended to purify the heart and mind, preparing the believer for Easter through repentance, simple living, and a renewed focus on the divine.
Contemporary Observance of Lent
There are a variety of Lenten restrictions, traditions and observances within different Christian denominations
Variations in Lenten Fasting and Abstinence
The practice of fasting and abstinence during Lent varies widely among different Christian denominations and cultures. While some traditions emphasize a strict fast, others adopt a more lenient approach to abstinence. The common thread, however, is the voluntary nature of these practices, often seen as a form of expiation for sin.
Catholicism: Abstinence from meat on Fridays, and fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
Lutheranism: Guidelines suggest moderation rather than full abstinence, with a focus on self-denial.
Anglican Churches: No specific food restrictions, but encouragement to give up personal luxuries.
Methodist Churches: Often observe the Daniel Fast, which includes abstaining from meat, sweets, and bread.
In some regions, the episcopal conference may adapt these practices to suit local customs, replacing strict abstinence with other forms of penance. This flexibility acknowledges the diverse ways in which the faithful can engage with the Lenten season, beyond mere adherence to laws of the church.
The Role of Ash Wednesday
In the West, ashes remind us of this temporal reality and that this world is not forever
Ash Wednesday marks the commencement of the Lenten period, a time of introspection and penitence in the Christian tradition. It serves as a poignant reminder of human mortality and the need for reconciliation with God. The day is characterized by the imposition of ashes on the foreheads of the faithful, often accompanied by the solemn words, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
The observance of Ash Wednesday is not uniform across all Christian denominations, but it is widely recognized for its call to fasting and prayer. The ashes, typically made from the previous year’s Palm Sunday crosses, symbolize both death and repentance.
The distribution of ashes and the associated rituals provide a tangible entry into the Lenten season, setting a reflective tone for the forty days that follow.
While not a holy day of obligation, Ash Wednesday sees one of the highest attendances at mass, second only to Sunday services. The day’s significance is underscored by the practice of fasting, where observers are traditionally limited to one full meal and abstain from meat. This act of self-denial echoes the sacrifices made by Jesus in the wilderness and sets the stage for the Lenten journey of spiritual renewal.
Lenten Services and Rituals
Lenten services and rituals are integral to the observance of this penitential season, offering a structured approach to reflection and devotion. Many churches veil their symbols of triumph in violet fabrics, signifying a period of solemnity and introspection. The Stations of the Cross, a poignant reenactment of Christ’s passion, are commonly practiced, guiding the faithful through a spiritual journey of Christ’s suffering and sacrifice.
During Lent, the three pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—are emphasized, encouraging believers to engage with their faith on multiple levels. These practices are not only acts of piety but also serve as a means of achieving justice toward God, self, and neighbors. The culmination of Lenten observance occurs in the Easter Vigil or Sunrise service, where the fast is traditionally broken and the faithful rejoice in the resurrection of Christ.
In the quietude of Lenten services, the community gathers in shared humility, collectively seeking spiritual renewal and deeper communion with the divine.
Cultural and Social Aspects of Lent
Lenten Suppers and Community Gatherings
Lenten suppers, often held in church parish halls or at home, are a cherished tradition that bring together the faithful after a day of fasting. These communal meals are typically simple, reflecting the season’s emphasis on abstinence and sacrifice. A common Lenten supper may include a vegetarian soup, bread, and water, aligning with the spirit of simplicity and reflection.
The social aspect of these gatherings is significant, as they foster a sense of community and shared experience among participants. From the sacred to the social, these gatherings underscore the importance of community, charity, and tradition. They remind us that, amidst the fast-paced modern life, the observance of Lent provides an opportunity for believers to slow down and engage in meaningful fellowship.
While Lenten suppers vary across denominations, the underlying intent remains the same: to conclude the day’s fast in a manner that honors the spirit of Lent and nurtures communal bonds.
In some traditions, special days such as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday are marked with eucharistic communion, further deepening the liturgical significance of the Lenten season. These practices, while diverse, illustrate the rich tapestry of Lenten observance that continues to evolve and adapt to contemporary religious life.
Impact of Lent on Secular Society
While Lent is fundamentally a Christian observance, its impact extends into secular society, influencing both cultural norms and individual behaviors. The period of Lent often sees a surge in charitable activities and environmental initiatives, as the ethos of self-denial and reflection encourages a broader societal engagement with altruistic causes. For some, it may be a family tradition. Like a bad habit, some merely give up something they want to improve in their life without much spiritual reflection. Also, society may also see it as a time of giving up, but not necessarily improving oneself.
Many individuals, regardless of religious affiliation, participate in Lenten-inspired practices such as vegetarianism or teetotalism, viewing these as opportunities for personal growth or health improvement.
Secular groups and even some atheists acknowledge the value in Lenten traditions, adopting aspects of the observance in support of environmental stewardship.
The focus on self-reflection and sacrifice during Lent can lead to a heightened awareness of community needs, resulting in increased volunteerism and support for social programs.
The Lenten season’s call for introspection and sacrifice transcends religious boundaries, fostering a period of communal and individual transformation that resonates across diverse segments of society.
Lent and Interfaith Perspectives
The observance of Lent transcends denominational boundaries, reaching into the broader interfaith community. Some individuals from non-Christian faiths and secular backgrounds find resonance with the principles of Lent, such as self-reflection, sacrifice, and the pursuit of spiritual growth. This inclusivity is reflected in the various ways that people from diverse beliefs engage with the season.
Non-Christian participation often focuses on the universal aspects of Lent, like the emphasis on personal betterment and community involvement.
Secular groups may reinterpret Lenten practices to support environmental causes or health improvements.
Atheists and agnostics sometimes adopt Lenten disciplines as a form of self-improvement or solidarity with Christian friends and family.
The interfaith engagement with Lent underscores the season’s capacity to serve as a bridge between different communities, fostering mutual understanding and respect.
While the core of Lent remains a Christian observance, its themes of introspection and renewal hold a broad appeal. The adaptability of Lenten practices allows for a rich tapestry of observance that can include fasting, charitable acts, or a commitment to change, regardless of religious affiliation.
Spiritual Practices During Lent
Prayer and Meditation
During Lent, the faithful are called to deepen their spiritual life through the practice of prayer and meditation. This period offers a unique opportunity to engage in more profound reflection and to seek a closer relationship with the divine. Prayer, in its various forms, serves as a conduit for expressing devotion, seeking forgiveness, and interceding for others. Meditation, on the other hand, allows individuals to contemplate the mysteries of faith and to internalize the lessons of the Gospel. So many individuals merely see Lent as improvement via subtraction but never see it as an opportunity for improvement through addition of a better spiritual life to become closer to God.
Prayer and meditation are key elements of Lent that many secular individuals forget to reflect upon
The practice of prayer can be structured or spontaneous, encompassing traditional liturgies or personal supplications. It is not uncommon for believers to explore different forms of prayer during Lent, such as the Liturgy of the Hours, contemplative prayer, or the Stations of the Cross. Meditation often involves Scripture-based reflection, guiding the faithful to ponder the life of Christ and the meaning of His teachings.
The intentional setting aside of time for prayer and meditation during Lent is a testament to the desire for spiritual growth and the recognition of the need for divine guidance.
Incorporating prayer and meditation into daily life can take various forms, and individuals are encouraged to find practices that resonate with their spiritual journey. Below are some suggestions to enhance one’s Lenten experience:
Try a new spiritual practice.
Sign up for an hour of Eucharistic Adoration.
Experience Mass at a different parish, perhaps one with a diverse congregation.
Set reminders to pray at specific times throughout the day.
Engage in daily Scripture reading and reflection.
Almsgiving and Charitable Works
During the Lenten season, the practice of almsgiving assumes a significant role in the Christian tradition. Almsgiving is not merely a charitable donation but a profound expression of compassion and solidarity with those in need. It is a tangible manifestation of the Lenten spirit of sacrifice, where the faithful are encouraged to extend the value of their personal abstinence to the less fortunate.
The act of giving is multifaceted, encompassing monetary support, volunteer work, and other forms of assistance. Below is a list of common almsgiving practices during Lent:
Monetary donations to religious organizations or charities
Volunteering time and skills to help those in marginalized communities
Participating in food drives or contributing to food banks
Supporting initiatives that address global issues such as hunger and poverty
The emphasis on almsgiving during Lent serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of the human family and the Christian call to serve one another.
The impact of these charitable actions is profound, not only providing immediate relief but also fostering a culture of generosity and empathy. As Lent progresses, the faithful are invited to reflect on the ways in which their almsgiving can continue to resonate beyond the season, integrating these practices into their daily lives for lasting change.
Self-Denial and Mortification
The practice of self-denial and mortification during Lent is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition as a means to emulate the sacrifice and discipline of Jesus Christ during his 40 days in the desert. Believers engage in various forms of self-denial, ranging from fasting to giving up personal pleasures, to foster spiritual growth and strengthen their resolve against temptation.
Denial that is tied to Christ helps the soul learn to grow beyond this world and also learn to control its passions of the body
The following list outlines common forms of self-denial observed during Lent:
Fasting or abstaining from certain foods, such as meat or sweets
Limiting recreational activities like watching television or using social media
Voluntary acts of penance, such as additional prayers or charitable deeds
Abstaining from habits that are perceived as vices, to cultivate virtue
The Lenten period is not merely about abstaining from worldly pleasures; it is a time for inner transformation and renewal, a journey that mirrors the spiritual fortitude of Christ in the wilderness.
While the specific practices may vary among different Christian denominations, the underlying principle remains the same: to withdraw from worldly distractions and focus on spiritual enrichment. This period of intentional self-discipline is seen as a preparation for the celebration of Easter, marking the resurrection of Christ and the hope of renewal for the faithful.
Lent as a Period of Reflection and Renewal
The Concept of ‘Bright Sadness’
The term ‘Bright Sadness’ encapsulates the dual nature of Lent as a time for both mourning and joy. It is a period of somber reflection as well as hopeful anticipation. Lent’s ashes re-orient believers to life’s reality, reminding them of their mortality and the transient nature of earthly existence. This acknowledgment of human frailty is juxtaposed with the brightness of the resurrection promise, offering a profound spiritual renewal.
The ashes symbolize mortality and penitence.
The brightness represents the hope of resurrection and renewal.
The concept of ‘Bright Sadness’ is not just a theological idea but also a lived experience for many during Lent. It is a season where the faithful engage in practices that are both reflective and transformative, leading to a deeper understanding of the self and one’s relationship with the divine.
Preparing for Easter: Repentance and Hope
The journey through Lent is a transformative experience, culminating in the joyous celebration of Easter. It is a time when Christians engage in deep reflection and seek spiritual renewal. The practices of repentance and hope are not merely ritualistic; they are avenues to a profound personal and communal transformation.
During this period, believers are encouraged to examine their lives in the light of Christ’s sacrifice and love. This self-examination often leads to repentance, a turning away from sin and a recommitment to follow Jesus more closely. The hope of Easter, the resurrection of Christ, stands as a beacon of promise, offering a spiritual spring to those who embrace its message.
Lent is not just a season of grief; it is also a season of hope. As the faithful prepare for Easter, they are reminded that renewal and hope are always possible through the grace of God.
The preparation before Easter is well-established in Christian tradition, with specific practices varying across denominations. However, the core intent remains the same: to ready the heart and mind for the celebration of the resurrection, which affirms the hope of eternal life.
Personal and Communal Transformation
Dying in Christ, means also rising with Christ. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
Lent serves as a profound period of personal and communal transformation, where the faithful are called to introspect and renew their commitment to a life of Christian values. This transformative journey is not just an individual endeavor but extends to the community, fostering a collective spiritual growth. As the Church teaches, those who die with Christ, will rise with Christ. During the period, one reflects on Christ’s death and our own personal sins and finds focus to rise with Christ in forgiveness and new life.
Intentional pause for reflection
Renewal of Christian commitment
Fostering collective spiritual growth
The annual season of Lent invites Christians to an intentional pause to reflect on ways that may have led them astray. It is a time when the sacrifices and disciplines undertaken are not merely for personal edification but also for the edification of the community at large. The shared experience of Lent can lead to a strengthened sense of unity and purpose among believers.
The transformative power of Lent lies in its ability to reshape not only individual lives but also the fabric of the community. Through shared practices and mutual support, the faithful are reminded of their interconnectedness and the collective journey towards spiritual maturity.
Educational Resources and Community Support for Lent
Guides and Devotionals for Lenten Observance
The observance of Lent is deeply enriched by the use of guides and devotionals, which provide structure and inspiration for the journey towards Easter. Many resources are available to assist individuals and groups in their Lenten practices, ranging from daily reflections to comprehensive leader’s guides. These materials often include prayers, scripture readings, and meditations tailored to the liturgical season.
Daily Devotionals: Offer reflections and meditations for each day of Lent.
Leader’s Guides: Equip group leaders with resources for facilitating discussions and worship.
Reflection Guides: Contain weekly themes and questions for personal or group contemplation.
Lenten Calendars: Visual aids that mark the journey through Lent with specific daily practices or scripture.
The integration of these resources into personal or communal practice can significantly enhance the Lenten experience, fostering a deeper engagement with the season’s spiritual themes.
Particularly noteworthy is the 2024 Lenten Devotional from the Presbyterian Mission Agency, which includes a Leader’s Guide and worship resources that reflect an Earth Care perspective. This initiative exemplifies the evolving nature of Lenten resources that address contemporary concerns while grounding them in traditional observances. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and its many blogs on Lent and sacrifice.
Church Programs and Support Groups
Churches play a pivotal role in guiding and supporting their congregations during the Lenten season. Programs tailored to various demographics within the church community offer opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship. These programs often encompass a range of activities, from educational initiatives to service-oriented projects.
Catholic Cemeteries
CYO Athletics
CYO Camps
Hispanic Ministry
Multicultural Ministries
Outreach Ministries
Retreat Centers
In addition to these programs, churches may offer specific support groups that focus on the Lenten journey. These groups provide a space for individuals to share experiences, reflect on their faith, and encourage one another in their Lenten commitments.
The collective experience of Lent through church programs and support groups fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, reinforcing the spiritual significance of this season.
Online Platforms and Social Media Initiatives
In the digital age, online platforms and social media initiatives have become integral to the observance of Lent. Churches and religious organizations are increasingly leveraging digital tools to engage with congregants and provide resources for Lenten practices. These initiatives range from daily devotional emails to interactive prayer apps, all aimed at enhancing the spiritual journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday.
The use of social media for Lenten observance has facilitated a communal aspect of the season that transcends geographical boundaries. Platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are utilized to share reflections, prayer requests, and words of encouragement. This virtual community support is particularly significant for individuals who may not have access to a physical church community.
The integration of technology into Lenten practices reflects a broader trend of faith communities adapting to the digital landscape. It underscores the potential for technology to enrich spiritual life, rather than detract from it.
The following list highlights some of the key online initiatives supporting Lenten observance:
Daily Lenten meditation and prayer guides
Virtual retreats and webinars on spiritual topics
Hashtag campaigns for sharing Lenten experiences
Online giving platforms for almsgiving and charity
Digital Stations of the Cross and other interactive religious content
Theological Debates and Interpretations of Lent
Historical Controversies Surrounding Lent
The observance of Lent has been a subject of theological debate throughout its history. Differences in interpretation and practice have often led to controversies, particularly between various Christian denominations. For instance, while Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians have maintained strict Lenten observances, some Protestant groups have viewed these practices with skepticism, associating them with ritualism and a misunderstanding of grace.
The concept of earning God’s grace through self-punishment, a misinterpretation often attributed to Lenten practices, has been a point of contention. Evangelicals, in particular, have critiqued Lent as implying that human effort can contribute to salvation, a view that contrasts with their emphasis on grace alone.
In the broader context, Lent is not merely a period of abstinence but a time for reflection on the human condition and the grace of God. It culminates in the hope of resurrection, symbolizing a bright future for believers.
Some secular and non-religious groups have also engaged with Lent, reinterpreting the fast in terms of environmental stewardship or health improvement, thus adding a new dimension to the historical debates.
Modern Theological Perspectives on Fasting
In contemporary theological discourse, fasting during Lent is often seen not merely as a ritualistic practice, but as a profound spiritual exercise that engages the faithful in a deeper understanding of self-denial and spiritual growth. Modern theologians emphasize the transformative potential of fasting, viewing it as a means to foster a closer relationship with the divine and to cultivate virtues such as patience, humility, and compassion.
Fasting is seen as an act of reparation for sins to Christ
The approach to fasting has evolved significantly over time. While historical practices involved stringent abstinence, modern interpretations advocate for a more measured and intentional approach. This shift reflects a broader understanding of fasting that goes beyond mere abstention from food to encompass a range of disciplines aimed at personal and communal holiness:
Fasting as a voluntary act of worship and self-discipline
Abstinence as a tool for spiritual reflection and solidarity with the poor
Simplification of lifestyle to focus on spiritual priorities
Integration of prayer and charitable actions with fasting
The focus on interiority and intentionality in fasting practices underscores the belief that the outward act of fasting is deeply connected to inner spiritual renewal.
Theological perspectives on fasting also engage with societal and cultural dimensions, recognizing the role of fasting in addressing issues such as social justice and environmental stewardship. This holistic view of Lenten fasting challenges believers to consider the broader impact of their fast, not only on their personal spirituality but also on the world around them.
Ecumenical Views on Lenten Practices
The observance of Lent varies significantly across different Christian denominations, reflecting a rich tapestry of traditions and theological interpretations. Ecumenical dialogue has revealed a shared understanding of Lent as a period for spiritual deepening and communal preparation for Easter, despite differing practices. For instance, while Catholics and Eastern Orthodox Christians may engage in strict fasting, some Protestant communities focus more on spiritual disciplines like prayer and almsgiving.
Catholics: Traditional fasting and abstinence
Eastern Orthodox: Rigorous fasts including dietary restrictions
Anglicans: Emphasis on repentance and preparation for baptism
Methodists: Encouragement of works of love and self-examination
Non-denominational: Varied observance, with some eschewing Lenten rituals
The ecumenical perspective encourages returning to the foundational aspects of Lent, such as repentance, self-reflection, and anticipation of the resurrection. This approach resonates with the sentiment that Lent is a season of repentance and preparation, aligning with the core Christian belief in transformation through Christ.
Lenten Dietary Restrictions and Alternatives
Abstinence from Meat and Animal Products
The practice of abstaining from meat and other animal products during Lent is a tradition rooted in the desire for simplicity and sacrifice. This form of abstinence is observed in various ways across different Christian denominations. For instance, some communities may abstain from meat for the entire 40 days, while others may do so only on Fridays or specifically on Good Friday.
The distinction between fasting and abstinence is notable in Western Christian traditions, where abstinence typically refers to refraining from meat, but not necessarily from dairy or fish products.
In Eastern Christian churches, the approach to Lenten abstinence is often more rigorous, with the exclusion of all animal products, including eggs, fish, fowl, and milk. This results in a strictly vegetarian or vegan diet throughout the 48 days of Lent. The table below outlines the variations in abstinence practices among different Christian traditions:
Tradition
Abstinence Practice
Duration
Catholic
Meat only
Fridays and Ash Wednesday
Lutheran
Meat, with some exceptions
Selected days
Anglican
Meat, with some exceptions
Selected days
Eastern Orthodox
All animal products
Entire Lenten period
The flexibility of modern fasting practices in Western societies contrasts with the more stringent observances in Eastern Christian communities. Each country’s episcopal conference may determine the specific form of abstinence, which can include other forms of penance as alternatives.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options for Lent
The observance of Lent often includes dietary restrictions, traditionally involving abstinence from meat on certain days. However, contemporary practices have expanded to accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets, which exclude all forms of animal products. Vegetarian and vegan options for Lent provide a means to honor the spirit of sacrifice while adhering to personal dietary principles.
For those seeking to maintain a plant-based diet during Lent, a variety of alternatives are available. Lenten meals may consist of simple vegetarian soups, bread, and water, emphasizing the season’s focus on simplicity and abstinence. Moreover, the rise of vegetarianism and veganism has led to an increase in creative and satisfying recipes that align with Lenten practices.
While traditional Lenten fasting rules are more relaxed in Western societies, Eastern traditions often observe a stricter regimen, with some denominations abstaining from all animal products throughout the entire Lenten period.
Here are some examples of plant-based meals that can be enjoyed during Lent:
Vegetarian tacos with beans and vegetables
Vegan pizza topped with dairy-free cheese and an array of veggies
Cheesy manicotti made with plant-based cheese substitutes
Hearty chili with lentils and a variety of beans
Health and Nutritional Considerations
The observance of Lent often includes dietary restrictions, which can have significant health and nutritional implications. Adherence to fasting rules, such as those practiced by Catholics, requires careful planning to maintain nutritional balance. For instance, the Catholic tradition of fasting involves consuming one regular meal and two smaller meals that do not add up to a second full meal, with no snacks in between. This practice, while spiritually significant, necessitates an understanding of the body’s nutritional needs during periods of reduced food intake.
Historically, dispensations have allowed for the consumption of certain foods based on regional availability and climate. Such flexibility indicates an underlying concern for health even in traditional practices. Today, Lenten observance can be aligned with positive lifestyle changes, such as increased focus on environmental stewardship and health improvement. Some individuals, including those outside the Christian faith, recognize the value in these practices and adopt them for personal growth and well-being.
Suggestions for maintaining health during Lent:
Ensure a balanced intake of macronutrients within the constraints of fasting.
Incorporate nutrient-dense foods to compensate for reduced meal frequency.
Stay hydrated and monitor physical responses to dietary changes.
Seek guidance from nutritional experts if necessary.
While Lent presents an opportunity for spiritual reflection, it should not come at the expense of one’s health. Mindful eating and informed choices can support both spiritual and physical wellness during this period.
The Future of Lent in a Changing World
Adapting Lenten Traditions to Contemporary Life
In the modern era, the observance of Lent has evolved to meet the spiritual needs of a diverse and changing society. Adapting these practices offers an opportunity to refocus on what’s essential and quiet the noise of our daily lives. The traditional pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—remain at the heart of the season, yet their expression may vary to resonate with contemporary believers.
The essence of Lent is a call to simplicity and sincerity, encouraging individuals to engage in self-reflection and acts of justice toward God, self, and neighbors.
While the core practices persist, new forms of engagement have emerged, such as digital devotionals and online Lenten calendars, which facilitate a more accessible and personalized spiritual journey. Below is a list of ways individuals can integrate Lenten observance into their daily routines:
Engaging in daily quiet prayer, alone or in community worship.
Exploring different forms of prayer, like the Stations of the Cross.
Reading weekly Lenten reflections to deepen understanding.
Participating in charitable works as a form of almsgiving.
Embracing simplicity in daily life to foster spiritual growth.
The Role of Technology in Lenten Observance
In the modern era, technology has become an integral part of daily life, and its influence extends to religious practices, including the observance of Lent. The use of digital devices and online platforms has transformed the way individuals engage with Lenten disciplines. For many, these tools offer new avenues for reflection, prayer, and community connection.
Digital devotionals and prayer apps provide structured guidance for daily reflection.
Online Lenten calendars mark the journey through the forty days with scripture and meditations.
Virtual Stations of the Cross allow believers to partake in this solemn tradition from anywhere.
Social media initiatives encourage sharing of personal Lenten journeys and support among faith communities.
A digital Lent can become about considering how our devices can help us do justice, practice kindness and demonstrate humility in our world.
While the digital realm opens up numerous possibilities for observance, it also raises questions about the balance between technology and the traditional call for simplicity and detachment during Lent. As such, the faithful are encouraged to use technology mindfully, ensuring it enhances rather than distracts from the Lenten experience.
Lent and Environmental Stewardship
In recent years, the observance of Lent has taken on new dimensions, with a growing emphasis on environmental stewardship as a form of fasting and sacrifice. This shift reflects a broader interpretation of Lenten practices, where the traditional focus on personal penitence is expanded to include actions that benefit the wider community and the planet.
The Lenten period is increasingly seen as an opportunity to engage in practices that not only reflect spiritual discipline but also promote ecological well-being.
For instance, initiatives such as reducing carbon footprints, participating in community clean-ups, and advocating for sustainable policies are becoming integral to the Lenten experience. These activities align with the three pillars of Lent—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—by fostering a sense of responsibility towards God’s creation.
Prayer is directed towards seeking guidance for environmental action.
Fasting takes the form of abstaining from excess consumption and waste.
Almsgiving manifests as support for environmental causes and organizations.
The integration of environmental concerns into Lenten observance is not only a testament to the adaptability of religious traditions but also highlights the role of faith communities in addressing contemporary global challenges.
Conclusion
Have a Blessed Lent and please also review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification
In conclusion, Lent stands as a profound period of reflection, self-denial, and spiritual growth within the Christian tradition. Originating from the Old English word for spring, ‘lencten,’ it has evolved into a significant liturgical season that echoes Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting in the wilderness. This time of penance and preparation for Easter is marked by various practices such as fasting, abstinence, almsgiving, and prayer, which are observed by numerous Christian denominations. Lent’s culmination in the celebration of Easter underscores its dual nature of solemnity and hope, inviting believers to meditate on the human condition, the sacrifice of Christ, and the promise of resurrection. As each year brings Lent to the spring calendar, it offers a recurring opportunity for the faithful to deepen their faith and renew their commitment to the principles of Christian living.
To help others through Lent, please review AIHCP’s Christian Counseling Certification and see if it meets your academic and professional goals. A Christian Counselor can better guide individuals through the season of Lent and help them find closer union with God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lent in the Christian church?
Lent is a period of penitential preparation for Easter, beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting for 40 days, excluding Sundays. It involves fasting, abstinence, and almsgiving in imitation of Jesus Christ’s fasting in the wilderness.
What does the term ‘Lent’ originate from?
The English word ‘Lent’ comes from the Old English word ‘lencten,’ meaning ‘spring season.’ It is related to the word ‘lengthen,’ referring to the lengthening days of spring.
Who observes Lent?
Lent is observed by many Christian denominations, including Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican, United Protestant, and Orthodox traditions, among others.
What is the liturgical significance of Lent?
Lent commemorates the 40 days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the desert, enduring temptation before starting his public ministry. It is a time for believers to prepare for Easter through prayer, repentance, and self-denial.
When does Lent typically begin and end?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. In 2023, Lent started on February 22 and will end on April 8.
What are common practices during Lent?
Common Lenten practices include fasting, abstaining from certain foods or habits, attending special church services, engaging in prayer, almsgiving, and participating in community gatherings such as Lenten suppers.
How does Lent impact secular society?
Lent can impact secular society through the observance of dietary restrictions, the increase in charitable works, and the promotion of reflection and self-improvement themes that align with the Lenten period.
What is the concept of ‘Bright Sadness’ in Lent?
The concept of ‘Bright Sadness’ in Eastern Orthodox circles refers to the season of Lent as a period of grief that ends with the celebration of Easter, symbolizing a time of both sorrow and joy, reflection and renewal.
Additional Resources
“What Is Lent? It’s Meaning and Importance Explained”. Phillips, S. (2024). Crosswalk. Access here
“Lenten Season 101: A Guide for Everything You Need to Know”. Filz, G. (2017). The Catholic Company. Access here
“What Is Lent? And How Do Christians Observe It?”. Pemberton, R. (2022). Logos. Access here
“Learn What Lent Means to Christians”. Fairchild, M. (2020). Learn Religions. Access here
Whether a licensed clinical counselor or merely a pastoral unlicensed counselor, there are expectations and standards expected from a counselor. One could be counseling as a licensed counselor or as certified Christian Counselor and find the same ethical pitfalls that may potential befall oneself with a client. In a previous blog, we discussed the importance of standards found within the ACA, AACC, or NASW, as examples of how to interact and work with a client as a professional within the field of counseling. In this discussion, we will review an important article from the APA that discusses how to best avoid potential ethical issues with clients.
Counseling Professionals need to adhere to ethical standards but also be aware of the numerous pitfalls that can lead to unwanted ethical dilemmas
We all wish to serve our clients with their best interest at heart. Christian Counselors take it another level with spiritual emphasis and Christian doctrine. They see their clients as spiritual children. Some pastors serve within a clergy-penitent model where they are not merely counseling, but are spiritual mentors and advisors. In these cases, where the ethical waters muddy, as to whether one is pastor or counselor, one must clearly delineate one’s role with the person and clearly define the lines of what type of counseling is occurring. As well as in other cases, when counselors work with state authorities or firms in relationship to working with individuals within their scope with those authorities or firms. One’s role, transparency, and matter of operation with mandates to report, will all fall into one’s role and status within the counseling relationship.
The article, “10 ways practitioners can avoid frequent ethical pitfalls” by Deborah Smith takes a very close look at 10 particular types of pitfalls a counselor can find oneself in with a client if not careful. Smith not only points out these pitfalls, but also directs counselors how to better avoid and protect oneself from them. She states,
“Talk to the ethics experts, and they’ll tell you the best defense against an ethical problems is a good offense. By looking out for foreseeable conflicts and discussing them frankly with colleagues and clients, practitioners can evade the misunderstandings, hurt feelings and sticky situations that lead to hearings before ethics boards, lawsuits, loss of license or professional membership, or even more dire consequences” (Smith, 2023,p 50).
She continues, “When psychologists do end up in ethical quandaries, it’s often because they unwittingly slid too far down a slippery slope–a result of ignorance about their ethical obligations or thinking they could handle a situation that spiraled out of control (Smith, 2023, p. 50)
One problem Smith points out is multiple relationships with the client. Of course, relationships with any client are strictly forbidden, but sometimes other ties can emerge where the counselor and client interact whether at a social scene, or in business, especially in smaller towns. Smith points out that due to the counselor and client relationship, other interactions can be affected due to the counselors perceived sense of power over the client. Hence anything outside the counseling sphere should be in the very least brief and if necessary terminated. This can prevent potential harm or confusing situations that can possibly cause ethical questions or inquiries.
In addition, counselors should not take incoming patients that are family, friends, or associates. This prevents potential bias.
Confidentiality
Another problem pointed out by Smith regards confidentiality issues. Since licensed counselors are mandatory reporters of any crime, it is important for counselors to let clients know the limits of confidentiality at the very beginning within the informed consent form, as well as throughout the session. If a client wishes to confess a secret, it may be best to again warn the client of the limitations of confidentiality. Even, pastors, while protected in most states more so than counselors, have an ethical dilemma as to whether report a crime, or reveal possible harm to the client or others. Unlike the Catholic or Orthodox priesthood, pastors are not held to the strict seal of the confessional, but they still have more flexibility to report things than a priest.
Ensuring that the client understands limits of confidentiality is key to preventing unwanted ethical dilemmas of possible mandatory reporting
In such pastoral settings, this is where the pastor or priest guides the person to the proper conclusion of reporting oneself, or turning oneself in. In the case of a crime, a pastor can encourage oneself to report oneself to the authorities and accept the consequences as a price of their sin, or if the person is a victim of abuse, help the person find the safety from the authorities that is needed. While the issue of fidelity and trust is key, protecting the person and measuring trust versus harm is key. Again, simply by reminding one the limits of confidentiality is key throughout any session. It can show the veracity of oneself to the client but also the intent for the overall good of not only the client but others involved. In the more severe case of the priesthood, where counseling is not occurring but instead the Seal of Confession, the priest has the unique position to incur a penance that forces one to turn oneself in if one wishes to receive absolution and can also in the most indirect ways, without names, warn others of possible harm.
Whenever, crimes such as abuse either inflicted by the client or received by the client can create an uneasy balance between confidentiality and mandated reporting. Again, why it is important to remind individuals of the limitations of confidentiality.
In addition, Smith reminds counselors to store confidential records in the most secure locations, whether they are electronic or written and to fully understand the laws surrounding any possible surrender of these records regarding criminal or civil cases. Smith also encourages counselors to properly document everything. This means keeping good records and fulfilling all paper work regarding. This involves properly covering informed consent, patient history documents, dates of service and fees and any diagnostic impressions, relevant phone calls, or follow up efforts if a patient or client discontinues to attend sessions or accept calls.
Competency
Smith also discusses the importance of never taking on a client in a field that a counselor is not comfortable with in regards to practice or expertise. It is unethical to counsel someone in grief if a person does not possess the knowledge in grief to properly help. Hence, competence within the field requires the proper academic and professional training in that area to properly help the client. It is critical that certified non clinical counselors never treat patients with mental pathology or falsely misrepresent themselves as licensed counselors or attempt to counsel beyond their academic and legal abilities.
Whether grief or Christian counseling, one should understand their limitations and competency if not a licensed professional counselor
In addition, many professionals, who possess the proper degrees and licensures, also keep their competency through continuing education or certifications. AIHCP offers a wide variety of mental health certifications in Grief Counseling as well as Christian Counseling.
Another issue of competency would be the situation if a counselor or social worker aided in a case of child custody without enough knowledge about the legal system, court system, or the inner dynamics of the family. It is important for those who are called to counsel, or offer expert opinion to answer questions one is only competent in. The attempt to create a false image of genius when competency in the subject is not there is a huge pitfall.
For those with competency in the subject, avoiding bias is key in anything, especially in court cases. This involves a comprehensive understanding of all dynamics that is not based on third party assessments. Furthermore, any assessment needs to be completely thorough as well as based on scientific based methods. Also, it is important to discuss any limitations one may have when counseling or discussing a case in court. Transparency and honesty in any assessment is key.
Abandonment or Termination?
Finally, Smith points out that counselors need to understand the proper differences between abandonment and termination in practice. Abandonment is completely unethical and involves abruptly ending all treatment without prior notice. If a counselor for ethical purposes, or competency, feels he or she can no longer properly help the individual, this should be discussed in detail with the client. The client should also have input and the two should find common ground in when the last meeting will take place, including any needed follow up, as well as alternative sources for therapy with other more qualified professionals. It can also be beneficial to lay out terms of termination prior to counseling so the client understands whether treatment is short term or long term. This can lay groundwork for any possible issues or false expectations by the client.
Conclusion
Counseling is meant to cause no harm, but ethical situations can come into play that can potentially cause harm. By adhering to standards and following protocol, one can better protect oneself and also protect one’s client from unintended harm. Understanding the counseling system and its ethics and laws, can help the counselor better treat and counsel the client without causing any confusing situations or ethical dilemmas. It is key to know one’s counseling role and how one is operating as well. Is one counseling within a licensed clinical framework or pastoral sense? These are key questions and important issues to identify that play large roles in confidentiality and competency within their legal and academic abilities.
Counselors are called to a high standard of ethics. Please review AIHCP’s Mental Health Counseling Certifications
Please also review AIHCP’s Mental Health Certification Programs. The programs include topics such as grief counseling, anger management, crisis intervention, Christian or spiritual counseling, stress management, EFT, and Meditation. The programs are online and independent study and open to qualified professionals seeking a four year certification. Some professionals may be licensed while others may be looking into these fields as a non licensed professional but still possess the necessary academic or professional backgrounds.
Reference
Smith, D. (2003). “10 ways practitioners can avoid frequent ethical pitfalls”, Monitor on Psychology 34(1). Access here
Additional Resources
“Counseling Ethics Code: 10 Common Ethical Issues & Studies” Smith, W. (2021). Positive Psychology. Access here
“Ethical Dilemmas in Counseling”. Nemko, M. (2019). Psychology Today. Access here
This is required reading for students taking SC 570 or GC 400.
The norms of ethics to any particular field helps maintain a standard of quality that is expected from certain professionals within a certain field. It guides them in situations of doubt, directs them in proper procedure, and protects them and the client from unintended harm. Dating back to the Hippocratic Oath, the idea to do no harm to those one helps is the cornerstone and foundation of all professional ethics.
Ethics in Counseling
It was not until modern era that ethics began to take a more codified form for professionals. Thomas Percival due to poor performance in his own medical facility created the standard and blue print for modern medical ethics. Other professional careers, including, mental health, counseling and anything within human services soon followed with their own standards. The American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), the National Association for Social Workers (NASW), the National Organization of Human Services (NOHS) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) all have developed mission statements and standards and guidelines for professionals to adhere to. These standards are usually divided into areas of care to the patient, the profession, other colleagues, students, payment policies and publications. It is important if entering into the counseling field to read through these and understand the ethics one must adhere to.
Counseling involves trust and many ethical standards from various associations ensure the integrity and quality of counseling. All counselors should review the various ethical standards found in ACA or other associations
Bear in mind, some counselors are pastoral and others are clinical. Different states assign different titles to licensure. In counseling, the most common is Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC. Other variations can include Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Most states require a graduate degree in counseling and a passing of the state board exam to become fully licensed. Paraprofessionals are unlicensed counselors can work under licensed counselors or within a care facility but there are not able to independently operate. As for pastoral counselors such as ministers or lay apostolates, these individuals are permitted to operate due to separation of church and state but are restricted beyond the realm of guidance. Treatment and pathology are alone reserved for licensed professionals in social work, counseling, and psychiatry. Whether a counselor, social worker or a psychologist, only a healthcare professional such a psychiatrist, medical doctor, or Nurse Practitioner can prescribe medications. This is why many mental health facilities have the proper prescribers available on staff.
If a pastoral counselor with only a certification from AIHCP in Grief Counseling or Christian Counseling, one must ethically adhere to proper identification. The term “counselor” can be very misleading because it is so generic and widely used. Individuals use the term in everyday breath but there is a huge difference between clinical professional counselors and pastoral counselors. Pastoral counselors operating as grief counselors or Christian counselors can help guide but never treat pathology. They also cannot mislead clients into thinking they are licensed. This needs to be understood and articulated upon the first day. What one can do and not do needs to be clearly articulated to and understood by the client. As for licensed professionals who receive certifications from AIHCP, this is clearly not an issue.
Some counselors are licensed and others are not. It is important to properly identify your credentials and operate within your legal boundaries
In Denise Daniel, short but concise book “Counseling Principles and Christian Beliefs: An Integrated Approach”, she lays out some important concepts not just for Christian Counselors but also any type of licensed or non-licensed counselors. She first points out the importance of identity and what counselors are or not and what are their limitations as licensed or not licensed or the expertise they possess. Second, she points out what is the role of the particular counselor. She emphasizes that most counselors, according to ACA, look to create a professional relationship that empowers and strengthens diverse families and groups to better achieve mental health, wellness, education and career goals. The aim is more centered around wellness and prevention (Daniel, 2020, p. 3). The final third point is integration and how one’s own biases, beliefs and codes of behavior come into play as a counselor. Fortunately, ethical codes point out numerous guide posts for professionals in where and how to integrate themselves with patient care.
According to Daniel, the ACA lays out some core principles. Among the key themes she addressing in her book are patient autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity (2020, p. 5). Before we review some of the key ethical guidelines, it is important to look at some of these themes and how they apply to licensed counselors but also pastoral counselors, and in some cases, Christian Counselors. Bear in mind, whether grief counselor, licensed or non-licensed, these themes apply to all in the counseling fields.
Important Themes in the Counseling Relationship
Autonomy refers to allowing the patient to be free to make choices in their overall health and life. A counselor needs to respect the choices of a client whether approval or disapproval occurs. For Christian Counselors, this may seem contrary to the goal. There are certain moral precepts that must be obeyed but in a relationship, one must exercise patience. Scripture points out that God gave Adam and Eve free will. He respected autonomy and choices. Again in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the father, permits the autonomy of his son to make poor choices but still never gives up hope that he would one day return.
Non-maleficence refers to doing no harm. Counselors, whether they want it or not, hold all the power in the relationship and they must be very careful in not allowing that power to become corrupted. This can happen very easily because the client is in distress and looking for guidance. A counselor can influence and exploit a client very easily hence numerous standards exist to balance this relationship. The goal of counseling is to heal not harm.
Beneficence refers to promoting only good for the client. It involves helping the client with the best possible and verified studies and knowledge on the subject. It involves looking out for the best of the client and guiding them to their ultimate best end.
Justice refers to fairness to all clients and ensuring equality to the numerous diverse groups one serves. It also involves understanding social justice and promoting justice for those who are persecuted.
Fidelity refers to faithfulness to the client. It involves never betraying them, keeping things confidential and not abandoning them. It means working through the most difficult things and not giving up on them.
Finally, veracity refers to honesty. Trust and honesty is the foundational rock of all relationships. Without honesty, one cannot communicate facts, one cannot share realities, and one cannot heal and grow. Honesty also involves the counselor’s assessments, promises, and outlooks. Even when difficult situations arise, honesty with respect is expected in a counseling relationship.
Important Ethical Codes
There are a variety of critical ethical codes that are all found within the various associations that mirror and reflect the themes above but also dictate more detailed situations.
For instance, in the ACA code of conduct A.4.b., it is clearly emphasized that an individual should never impose one’s own beliefs on another and to respect the diversity of the client. The idea of discrimination against other faiths, cultures, sexualities or values can come into play easily. This is why the AAMFT’s code 1.1 deals directly with this type of discrimination. One is not to discriminate against others based on these types of differences. The AACC has a slightly different tilt on the issue since the type of counseling itself is Biblical and certain life styles or actions are contrary to the type of counseling being sought. This however does not present a green light for the Christian Counselor to impose own personal beliefs. AACC’s code 1-340-a reminds the Christian Counselor that one is still to respect the autonomy and decision making process of the client. Again, 1-530 dictates that the Christian Counselor respect other faith beliefs and only disclose upon request and only if it benefits the client. Daniels proposes a term referred to as “bracketing” where professional opinions are laid aside and avoiding the triggering of one’s own personal views (Daniels, D., 2020. p.4). Please also see ACA’s A.2.c. Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity standard.
In all counseling, it is important to keep the counselor’s personal beliefs removed from the story. In Christian Counseling, while religious values are shared, the personal bias of the counselor must still respect the autonomy of the client, as well as never abandon the client due to immoral choice or life style
Common to this ideal of bias and discrimination fuels the idea of abandonment. Counselors may feel the temptation to dismiss a client who will not listen, fulfill promises, or follow a certain value system. This unethical practice is condemned in all guidelines. The ACA guideline A.12. stipulates that counselors never quit seeing their clients without proper continuation of treatment through themselves or through others. The AAMFT guideline 1.11 shares the same view that no client is to be abandoned and not seen without reasonable arrangements for continued treatment. The AACC in its rule 1-640-a shares with all other human service entities that a client is not to abruptly abandoned and that treatments are to continue until other options are available.
Another important theme is referral. Many times, certain counselors may become overwhelmed with a particular issue beyond their standard of care. This can especially happen with paraprofessionals or unlicensed counselors who are merely pastoral. Many fall under this venue. This does not mean they do not offer a qualify service but due to knowledge or professional and legal limitations, a referral is sometimes necessary. The ACA guideline A.11.a stipulates that a client that is beyond their skill level or competency should be referred to another professional. In the AAMFT guideline 1.10 also states that professionals may refer clients to others professionals when they are unable to help. Again, in the AACC guideline, Christian Counselors 1-240-d, it is stipulated that Christian Counselors should not refer merely based on faith based issues but when situations grow beyond their skill level, they can refer to more capable authorities.
Relationships can also become toxic. Due to the imbalance of power between in the counselor-client relationship, abuses of power can occur. Within the guidelines in all associations are clear cut warning regarding exploitation. Sexual relationships are condemned in the most strict sense. It is not uncommon for a vulnerable person sometimes to develop feelings for a counselor and it is important for the counselor to correct and document these advances. Counselors are also ethically restricted from working with past romances, family, or close friends. The bias can be strong in these cases in helping the individual. Counselors also need to keep a distance in cases of friendship. The relationship is not one of friendship in the social meaning. Hence, counselors should avoid most social interactions with clients, such as parties, graduations, or dinners. In some cases, if it pertains to a particular issue or healing, a counselor can appear on a professional basis only. Please refer to ACA -A.5. Prohibited Non-counseling Roles and Relationships which cover a broad array of relationships that can occur that considered illicit in counseling. In addition a counselor is to refrain from sexual relations in the NASW handbook as well as physical contact (1:10) when such contact would cause psychological harm. So where a hug or a touch of hand is needed is to be very carefully judged by the counselor. In addition, language and proper presentation in how one speaks is listed in the NASW handbook under standard 1:12.
Unfortunately, sometimes, a client may become attracted to a counselor since the counselor represents a source of power and strength when the client is most vulnerable. It is important for the counselor to be empathetic but also distant when attraction occurs, especially mutual. In some cases, referrals may be needed. To also help prevent such situations, physical gestures such as a touch of the hand or hug should be avoided. In addition, one should carefully screen the acceptance of gifts, unless otherwise approved due to cultural issues and sensitivities.
Other conflicts of interests can occur within agency and client. If dealing with one’s organization, one may also feel tugged and pushed by agency or funder agendas, over client care. Time, funds, and allocation of resources may effect one’s success. This can cause a grey area in client care and the client’s well being. It can also potentially lead to not following policy of employer. As one can see, many ethical dilemmas can spring from such actions.
Another set of regulations we will look at involves confidentiality. A counselor sets out on day one what he or she is willing or can do to the best of their abilities. Within this, there exists a confidentiality that is critical to veracity and fidelity. The boundaries of that need to be clearly laid out. All standards assert that counselors are to keep records and conversations private. Records are to maintained safely, whether paper or electronic, and conversations are to be kept strictly between themselves, unless otherwise dictated. Exceptions, upon approval of client, can include access to records for particular family, or access to records via other team members treating the individual. Again, this agreed upon in advance. Please refer to ACA -B.1. Respecting Client Rights which covers issues of confidentiality as well as exceptions under B.2
Confidentiality is the bedrock of trust between the counselor and client and must be protected and preserved unless under certain exceptions of physical harm to the client or others
In cases, where an individual may cause harm to oneself or others, or upon certain legal orders, a counselor may disclose certain information for the overall safety and good of the client or others. This is far less lax than the seal of confession. One way to better protect and shield oneself from potential mandatory disclosure is listing limits of confidentiality with the informed consent form. In addition, to reminding them throughout the counseling process of the limitations especially when a client seems eager to share a secret. Clients many times feel everything is confidential and fail to understand these limitations.
It is also essential that counselors properly store and preserve documentation. Electronic as well as hand written files needs to be clearly locked and protected and not visible to other wandering eyes. This helps preserve confidentiality.
Another grey area that may occur is transparency in representation. If hired by the state or an authority to review divorce cases, criminal cases, or employee evaluations, counselors need to be very transparent with all parties involved. Documentation for any case needs to be comprehensive, unbiased and utilize accepted and modern strategies. It is also essential to never treat someone beyond one’s ability, or promise things beyond healing. One should also not advertise oneself as a licensed counselor if not a licensed counselor.
Conclusion
Standards and ethical codes are critical to protect counselor and client. They also lay the groundwork for better care and healing for the client. In additional resources and references, there is a list that includes the ACA and others. Links are provided. I highly recommend one reviews these regulations and completely understands the ethical expectations of counseling, whether at a pastoral or clinical level. Whether secular or religious, there are standards that are needed within this special type of relationship.
Ethics and standards are critical to the profession of counseling. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian and also Grief Counseling Certifications
Death entered into the world as a result of sin but through Christ, new life and a new beginning is granted. While fearing death is natural, the Christian can see death as a transition not a final chapter. It is a doorway to new life and the fullest life possible. It is not in the temporal world, where humanity’s nature is complete and unbroken, but only in the next life. In the next life, the soul is reunified with God and through the promised General Resurrection, the guarantee of unification of again and body and soul. Hence death is not an end but a phase of existence that is only temporary and an opening into a world so much larger. It thus extremely important to ensure that transition to the next life is a priority. This is the case for all world religions, but also the same for Christianity. With Heaven or Hell for eternity in the balance, ensuring a proper and good death with God is essential and vital.
Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament in Catholic and Orthodox faiths and a sacred ritual in other Christian denominations for the spiritual renewal of the dying person
Christianity has since its conception emphasized the importance of preparing for death. The Anointing of the Sick has its origins in Scripture. The Apostle James comments, “is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven (James 5:14-15).
Different Christian traditions all believe in the value of anointing in the sick and terminally ill, but others classify it differently. In Catholicism and Orthodoxy it is a sacrament. The Anglican Church considers it to have sacramental character and in most Lutheran and other Protestant denominations, see it as a critical ritual of the faith. As a sacrament, The Anointing of the Sick, and in the past, Extreme Unction, is an outward sign used to manifest and give grace to the soul. As a sacrament, it gives grace through the source of Christ’s death on the cross that flows through the Holy Spirit to the soul. It can be received multiple times depending on the grave danger of the person’s condition. Hence, it can be received in multiple terminal or possible death situations, whether in the hospital or home. In the Orthodox, it can also be utilized in communal services. In the West, under extraordinary circumstances, such as before war, soldiers and certain qualifying groups may receive it.
The matter, or visible sign, is the blessed holy oil. This oil in the West is blessed by diocesan bishop on Holy Thursday. In the East, this oil can be received throughout the year at the end of Liturgy on certain feast days but in itself is not the sacrament but used for overall physical and spiritual healing and continued good health. The form of the sacrament constitutes the various prayers and words offered by the priest or minister during the administration of the sacrament.
Holy Oil is used to anoint the sick. It is the visible sign of healing and presence of the grace of God preparing the soul for the next life
Last Rites is sometimes confused with Anointing of the Sick. It is important to note in Catholicism and Orthodoxy, Last Rites entails three sacraments. Anointing, confession and reception of the Eucharist.
The effects of the sacrament and ritual has multiple sacramental and grace infused benefits to the soul. It forgives sin but also prepares the soul to peacefully accept death and prepare it for reunion with God. Physically it can heal but healing and miracles are alone determined by the will of God. There are miraculous cases but these are extraordinary examples and not the norm. Death is natural and the healing is more so focused on the spiritual than physical. Although from a physical and psychological standpoint, the ritual can bring mental peace and a presence of God within the mind of the person. It is comforting to know that Christ is present with one in one’s suffering and death.
Throughout the study of suffering and Christian grief, the Christian does not seek to escape death, deny it, or even escape suffering, but is called to carry one’s cross and unify it with Christ as one’s High Priest. Christ is the ultimate example of the Suffering Servant and His example of accepting death and suffering should inspire other Christians to do the same. While always praying for a cure or miracle, the Christian should also be accepting of God’s will. One should primarily seek spiritual healing and God’s presence in one’s final moments.
During the reception of Anointing, one may be unconscious or awake, but it is critical to voice the need prior of the desire to receive it. Family or nurses should be made aware of one’s desire to see a minister or priest. This can be laid out in healthcare directives and becomes critically important if one becomes unconscious and unable to ask for spiritual aid in person. Also, it is important prior to risky surgery or potential unconsciousness due to drug induced states to request Anointing of the Sick. Most in everyday procedures that are not risky may simply say a short prayer of contrition and adoration before simple anesthesia but with far more risky procedure one should never leave one’s soul open to possible spiritual risk and danger.
Through Anointing of the sick, Christ comes to us in our dying moments. Please also review AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Program
In conclusion, spiritual preparation before death is critical. If it happens like a thief in the night, one may receive the sacrament post mortem but one should always pray both morning and night proclaiming love of God and sorrow for sins. One of the most beautiful things one can pray for is a peaceful death where one is able to receive the sacred mysteries in advance. This is a blessing that many sometimes never think of due to the fear of thinking about death itself. However, a peaceful Christian death with grace and the image of God is the greatest gift that may be given in this world.
