Grace-Based Counseling

     BOOK REVIEW:   Many of today's books for Christian counselors focus on how to do therapy. But counseling is so much more than a method or a means to an end. That's why Grace-Based Counseling focuses instead on the person of the counselor. Are you spiritually prepared to counsel? To inspire and illuminate the counselee? To face adversity? And most important of all--are you prepared to be channel of the divine grace that you yourself have experienced? 

     Long-time counselors Rick Fowler and Natalie Ford believe you can't transmit what you haven't received. In Grace-Based Counseling, you'll discover a new model that is drenched in the grace of God. Because only when counselors are awestruck by the gift of grace can they become vessels of hope and healing for those whom God brings their way. 

     MY REVIEW:   I am not a counselor, but I picked up this book anyway because I expected it to focus on how to use grace in speaking/relating to people. I figured it could be useful for everyday relationships, not just in the counseling field. But it is quite a bit more than that. Grace-Based Counseling is a whole method of counseling that comes from a heart of grace, and focuses more on the heart of the counselor than the counselees. What really impressed me about the book though, is how the authors recognize and rely on the work of the Holy Spirit through their sessions. They quote A. W. Tozer saying "Self is the opaque veil that hides the face of God from us. It can be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere instruction...There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free."  

     GRACE is an acronym that stands for God's Image, Rebellion, Altruism, Connection, and Empowerment.  As made in God's Image, ALL men have innate dignity and value. Sin is an act of Rebellion against God, not because man is evil, but because the sin is wrong. Altruism means that God has blessed ALL men with common grace, but only those who accept Him will receive the grace of redemption. A Connection must be made between the counselee's need for grace and the grace that God is offering. And counselors are Empowered when they rely on the Holy Spirit to guide their counseling. The first section of the book outlines the method of counseling from a heart of grace. The second section gives case studies to illustrate their points. And the third section is full of handouts and assessment templates for counselor use.

     This book is full of guides, examples, and definitions of how to counsel from a Grace-Based foundation. (They can also be used to define the Christian walk in general. It's an extremely relevant book for any Christian.) It all starts with the counselor's heart, and relies on the work of the Holy Spirit. Four standards for Christian counselors who counsel on a biblical worldview are: 

• A Christian counselor must be free from all men. This means we are not bound to a counseling methodology that has to fit the cultural and political correctness of our day. 
• A Christian counselor must be a servant. 
• A Christian counselor must be empathetic and caring, never elevating himself or herself above the counselee. 
• A Christian counselor must realize that the ultimate goal and objective of therapy is to advance the kingdom of God. 

In many instances, a Christian counselor will have patients who are not Christian, and may not want to hear about God. The book addresses this, and points out that counselors are not permitted to address their faith unless asked about it. But they also point out that "We as counselors are not to impose our faith, but rather expose our faith in the counseling setting." "Christian counselors may be the first expression of Jesus that a counselee ever sees."  Again, very true for the Christian walk in general. 

     Several of my favorites quotes from this book are: 

"If our Father in Heaven shows goodness to all, shouldn't we do likewise?"

"God's grace is not dependent on our circumstances nor our behaviors, but on His divine nature."

"The end result of worldly wisdom is futility. The end result of divine wisdom is contentment."

"Grace-based counselors believe that happiness is never the goal of counseling. Happiness is temporary; there is a greater goal that is lasting and fulfilling at a level that happiness is not. Rather, the goal is to be obedient to God, and the byproduct of that obedience often yields joy and contentment. Grace and truth empower obedience."

"Grace first requires an awareness of sin, a need for forgiveness, and the need for God's strength in the midst of weakness." 

"God is more concerned with character than comfort."

     I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to everyone. 

I received a copy of this book from MOODY PUBLISHERS and was not required to give a positive review.