Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins, The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling: An Indispensible Tool for Helping People with Their Problems. Harvest House Publishers, 2011.
Referenced in: Pastoral Counseling
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
The title describes this book well. It is encyclopedic, with over 500 pages on 300-plus subjects. As such, it offers broad, comprehensive exposure to all issues pertaining to counseling. As a reference manual, the articles on each subject are introductory, and suggest resources for further investigation. The authors are among the most recognized Christian counselors, most of them associated with the American Association of Christian Counselors. They provide a thorough overview in six sections:
- Part 1: Christian Counseling Definitions and Foundations – Christian Counseling Described and Defined, Theological Foundations, Pyshosocial Development and Neurobiology, and Christian Counseling as Ministry and Profession
- Part 2: Change In and Process of Christian Counseling – Change and Resistance to Change; Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment Planning; Interventions; and Core Skills and Character Traits to Teach and Strengthen in Clients
- Part 3: Various Kinds of Disorders – Counseling Biblical and Spiritual Issues, Counseling Clinical Disorders, and Counseling Personality Disorders
- Part 4: Modes and Applications of Christian Counseling – Group Counseling; Premarital, Marriage, and Family Counseling; Separation, Divorce, and Divorce Mediation; Sexuality and Sexual Therapy; Families and Family Therapy; Child and Adolescent Issues; Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addictions; and Grief, Crisis, and Trauman Intervention
- Part 5: Counselor Skills, Theories, and Therapies – Core Skills for Christian Helpers, Counseling Theories and Therapies; Christian Cognitive and Strength-Based Therapy
- Part 6: Systemic and Ethical Issues, Education, and Research – Multiculturalism, Diversity, and Other Challenging Issues; Ethical and Legal Counseling Issues; Education, Supervision, and Research; and New Developments in Christian Counseling (e.g. coaching, cyber-counseling)
From the Publisher
Seasoned counselors and professors Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins provide a landmark reference that offers a capstone definition of the emerging profession and ministry of the Christian counselor. Appropriate for professional counselors, lay counselors, pastors, students, and teachers, it includes nearly over 300 entries by over 100 top Christian counselors. At over 500 pages, this practical guide focuses on functional aspects of Christian counseling and explores such important topics as:
- Christian counseling as a profession, ministry, and lay ministry
- Spiritual and theological roots
- Social, emotional, and relational issues
- Skills and essentials in Christian helping
- Ethical and legal considerations
- Intake, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning
- Premarital counseling, family therapy, and substance abuse
Counselors will also find up-to-date information on solution-based brief therapy, cognitive therapy and biblical truth, and trauma and crisis intervention. An essential resource for maintaining a broad and up-to-date perspective on helping others.
About the Authors
Tim Clinton, EdD, is president of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors. He is professor of counseling and pastoral care at Liberty University and executive director of its Center for Counseling and Family Studies. Licensed as a professional counselor and marriage and family therapist, Tim has written or edited 13 books, including Turn Your Life Around.
Ron Hawkins, EdD, is a licensed professional counselor and serves on the executive board of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is professor of counseling as well as the vice-provost of distance learning and graduate studies at Liberty University and Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the coauthor of Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling.
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