Counseling: Key Element 1 & 11 - Gather Data, Discern Problems Flashcards
4 Questions to ask if counselee has already seen other councilors before coming to see you
- What was happening in your life that prompt you to see a counselor
- What was the counselors’ diagnosis
- What was the counselors prescription
- What happened as a result?
Extensive data gathering
Questions about broad areas of their life.
Spiritual Family Work/School Physical Financial Social Current Concerns
(bio-psycho-social-spiritual)
content data
What is said -verbal
halo data
How it is said -non-verbals
3 Proverbs about listening
Proverbs 18:
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—that is his folly and his shame.
15 The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.
17 The first to state his case seems right, until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
3 Proverbs about listening
Proverbs 18:
13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—that is his folly and his shame.
15 The mind of the prudent acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge
17 The first to state his case seems just until his opponent begins to cross-examine him.
Why should we use biblical terminology to describe problems?
Because psychological labels are fictive categories that shield people from the truth and rob people of hope.
not addiction, but enslavement, bondage
not an affair, but adultery
Levels of a problem
1) Presentation problem(s): what prompted them to seek help; emotions frequently
prominent.
2) Performance problem(s): actions that produced the difficulties; facts oriented
3) Preconditioning problem(s): thinking and behavior patterns repeated so often in the past they have become habitual, affecting current circumstances.
4) Heart-level problem(s): what the person worships and desires most (Mark 7:14-23; Rom 1:25; James 4:1-3). These are what drives him to do what he does.
complicating factors
a. Lack of discipline
b. Lack of creative imagination
c. Lack of commitment
d. Lack of perseverance
e. Lack of personal accountability
f. Lack of biblical objectives
g. Lack of commandment-orientation
Themes and Patterns
a. Do they have a biblical view God?
b. Do they have a biblical view of mankind, including themselves?
c. Do they have a biblical view of trials and suffering?
d. Whom are they living their life to please?
e. Whom or what seems to motivate their behavior?
How should we approach problem discernment
- Use biblical terms to describe problems
- look for themes and patterns
- Look for complicating factors
- Consider the different levels of the problem
Hotspots: Children
Parent/Child relationship
Peer group
Teacher / School
Hotspots: Older Children and Singles
Sexuality issues Dating problems Communication breakdown Life meaning School/work
Hotspots: Older Singles
Resentment regarding marriage
Objectionable habits
Immorality
Disorganized life schedule
Hotspots: Married Persons
Husband/wife relationship Parent/child relationships In-laws Work schedule Finances Sex in marriage Immorality Communication Breakdown
