Psychological counseling has become one of the essential elements of modern living since it incorporates various tools and practices to help people with mental health issues heal. Indeed, a therapist’s office seems to be a sanctuary for the salvation of individuals who want to restore their positive perceptions of life (Frunza, 2022). Depending on a person’s spiritual values and religious beliefs, one can continue thinking that human existence is aimless or has a profound purpose (Knight, 2010).
However, the decision should ultimately be made by an individual, and counselors can only help one uncover some past traumas and provide guidance for improving mental state. The robust allies of counseling in helping clients to cope with their cognitive struggles are philosophy and religion because they are the fundamental forces that shape people’s identities and viewpoints.
Philosophy is an extensive field that includes a range of different theories that may or may not be religious or spiritual in nature but definitely abstract. Still, these philosophical teachings serve as a foundation for forming an individual’s worldview. In a way, philosophy and counseling are similar because both use the strategy of asking questions rather than providing answers to help a person attain truth (Knight, 2010). The three categories of philosophical teaching are metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology, which correspond to questioning the nature of reality, the nature of truth, and the understanding of values, respectively.
Metaphysics offers people who study it to view the world from different angles. When it comes to religion and God, believers are given the choice of unconditional faith or doubt, while atheists deny the existence of higher power completely. For example, in the biblical realm, people are always provided with evidence of God’s existence (Knight, 2010). Nevertheless, they have an equal number of facts to doubt His power, but the only difference is in their personal choice (Knight, 2010).
Counselors may use these theories to help clients acknowledge their critical situations and help them alter their views of their issues. In fact, individuals can be convinced to perceive the Universe as a friendly or hostile place (Knight, 2010). Every challenge or obstacle is an opportunity, and the goal of therapy is to drive patients from the latter type of thinking to the former. It can be attained with or without religious context; still, religion and therapy aim to attain the same goal of healing a person’s soul and mind (Entwistle, 2021). At the same time, connecting a client’s journey toward mental health to spirituality can make it more effective.
The importance of philosophy and theology to psychological counseling is undeniable since it provides additional techniques into a therapeutic toolbox. Philosophical counseling can indeed help people find answers through dialogue and questions, untangling a client’s inner world that may contain the answers, which may aid resolve conflicts and problems (Frunza, 2022). Notably, this approach was found to be more effective for helping someone in an acute crisis because engaging in an equal conversation removes an individual’s perception of being a patient with a significant mental health issue (Frunza, 2022).
Instead, philosophical dialogue is crucial for returning power to the client over one’s reality. Moreover, for Christians, faith in the kingdom of God is essential for people to regain the belief that life has meaning and purpose; therefore, life’s challenges are given by a higher power to initiate growth.
In conclusion, philosophy and a biblical worldview are crucial for counseling because both enable healing. Philosophy uses dialogue and questions to answer questions about a person’s critical situation. Religious faith or spirituality can help restore one’s belief in the importance of life’s obstacles and difficulties for personal development and growth. These specific assets counselors utilize can be related to two learning outcomes of this course. Specifically, the definitions of the worldview apply to philosophical counseling, while evaluating the value system in the light of biblical worldview can be related to the use of religious faith.
References
Entwistle, D. N. (2021). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Frunza, S. (2022). Philosophical counseling-a useful tool for our daily life. Journal for the Study of Religions and Ideologies, 97–114.
Knight, G. A. (2010). Redemptive education part I: A philosophic foundation. The Journal of Adventist Education, 4–21.