Download Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books P Gregg Blanton 9780830828654 Books
Download As PDF : Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books P Gregg Blanton 9780830828654 Books
Interest in mindfulness and contemplative thought is growing among Christians, and it's time to consider the place of contemplative prayer within the field of counseling. Can contemplative prayer be integrated into therapeutic work? Can it in fact serve as a foundation on which to build a new approach to counseling? In Contemplation and Counseling Gregg Blanton presents a new paradigm for integrating contemplative prayer with counseling practice. He contends that contemplative prayer can illuminate the purposes of counseling and suggest interventions that help us accomplish these goals. This paradigm builds an alliance between science, theology, and Christian contemplative thought to create a dynamic approach to counseling and balance various dimensions of the human person emotion, cognition, and action. And by recognizing the power of both words and silence, it harmonizes their functions. Based on this integrative foundation, Blanton offers eleven fundamental interventions to fit the needs of clients (including silence, empathy, and teaching contemplative prayer) and a practical four-stage process for helping clients change, using examples from his own counseling experience and from the Bible. Ultimately, contemplative prayer leads us to the healing power of love. How we view our clients, the ways that we relate with them, and the strategies that we use to help them change are all informed by our loving search for God in contemplative prayer. Particular topics include
- how Christian contemplation compares with therapeutic uses of mindfulness
- insights from interpersonal neurobiology understood in light of Scripture
- psychological and spiritual benefits of lectio divina and centering prayer
- how practicing contemplative prayer can help counselors develop traits that correlate with positive client outcomes
- when and how to teach contemplative practices to clients
- the role of the body, emotions, conscious and unconscious mind, and behavior in contemplative practice and counseling
Download Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books P Gregg Blanton 9780830828654 Books
"If humans are truly made in the image of God then there is necessarily a pious aspect to their make-up, their troubles, and to their recovery. P. Gregg Blanton, professor of psychology and human services at Montreat College since 1997, founder of the Center for Contemplation and Marriage, and active therapist in private practice, has interestingly drawn in contemplative prayer as part and parcel for helping others gain/regain well-being. This is all laid out in his brand new 232 page paperback, "Contemplation and Counseling: An Integrative Model for Practitioners". This volume is primarily for the sanative specialists, drawing from the mindfulness approaches of Kabat-Zinn and Siegel, as well as the centering prayer pathway of Meninger, Pennington and Keating. But it moves into the author's own direction.
In "Contemplation and Counseling" Blanton's contention "is that the Christian contemplative heritage provides counselors with a clear perspective on the three components of counseling: (1) a useful understanding of the client's situation, (2) guidance for establishing a helping relationship, and (3) effective interventions for resolving the client's problem" (17). To get to this three-fold conclusion that author unpacks what contemplative prayer is, shows how it can and does fit into therapy, the reason Christian counselors needs to practice contemplative prayer for themselves, and the ways this approach enhances counseling sessions and beyond.
Most of the book encircles and investigates seven qualities: presence, openness, attention, acceptance, compassion, resonance, and love. On occasion the author will add aspects to these qualities; but they remain central deciphering tools through the volume when looking at each angle of counseling and counselor. There is a very helpful description and definition of love in the final chapter that moves beyond a simple "feel-good-ism".
Since I'm not a counseling professional, I found the book a bit tricky here and there. But I was able to follow along, and get the point and practice the author was gunning for. My only real complaint is that I felt the theological and exegetical sides of the book were light, and at times slightly off-base. I recommend the book for Christians trained as helping specialists in psychology, psychotherapy, and counseling.
My thanks to IVP who sent me a free copy of the book on my request. And my thanks that they have given me the liberty to voice an honest review, no strings attached."
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Tags : Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books) [P. Gregg Blanton] on . <strong>Interest in mindfulness and contemplative thought is growing among Christians, and it's time to consider the place of contemplative prayer within the field of counseling.</strong> Can contemplative prayer be integrated into therapeutic work? Can it in fact serve as a foundation on which to build a new approach to counseling? In <em>Contemplation and Counseling</em> Gregg Blanton presents a new paradigm for integrating contemplative prayer with counseling practice. He contends that contemplative prayer can illuminate the purposes of counseling and suggest interventions that help us accomplish these goals. This paradigm builds an alliance between science,P. Gregg Blanton,Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books),IVP Academic,0830828656,Contemplation.,Pastoral counseling.,Prayer;Christianity.,GENERAL,General Adult,Inspirational/Devotional,Non-Fiction,PSYCHOLOGY / Clinical Psychology,PSYCHOLOGY / Neuropsychology,PSYCHOLOGY / Psychotherapy / Counseling,Psychology,Psychology/Clinical Psychology,Psychology/Neuropsychology,RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Counseling Recovery,RELIGION / Spirituality,Religion/Christian Ministry - Counseling Recovery,Religion/Spirituality,United States,mindfulness;contemplation;prayer;counseling;therapy;psychology;Buddhism;psychotherapy;cognitive therapy;MBCT;ACT;DBT;IPNB;caps;Christian association of psychological studies;Christian counseling;Christian counselor;contemplative prayer;Christian contemplation;therapeutic;interpersonal neurobiology;lectio divina;centering prayer;psychology and Christianity;Christian psychology;spirituality;healing;emotions;conscious mind;unconscious mind;prayer and counseling;prayer in Christian counseling,mindfulness; contemplation; prayer; counseling; therapy; psychology; Buddhism; psychotherapy; cognitive therapy; MBCT; ACT; DBT; IPNB; caps; Christian association of psychological studies; Christian counseling; Christian counselor; contemplative prayer; Christian contemplation; therapeutic; interpersonal neurobiology; lectio divina; centering prayer; psychology and Christianity; Christian psychology; spirituality; healing; emotions; conscious mind; unconscious mind; prayer and counseling; prayer in Christian counseling
Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books P Gregg Blanton 9780830828654 Books Reviews :
Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books P Gregg Blanton 9780830828654 Books Reviews
- If humans are truly made in the image of God then there is necessarily a pious aspect to their make-up, their troubles, and to their recovery. P. Gregg Blanton, professor of psychology and human services at Montreat College since 1997, founder of the Center for Contemplation and Marriage, and active therapist in private practice, has interestingly drawn in contemplative prayer as part and parcel for helping others gain/regain well-being. This is all laid out in his brand new 232 page paperback, "Contemplation and Counseling An Integrative Model for Practitioners". This volume is primarily for the sanative specialists, drawing from the mindfulness approaches of Kabat-Zinn and Siegel, as well as the centering prayer pathway of Meninger, Pennington and Keating. But it moves into the author's own direction.
In "Contemplation and Counseling" Blanton's contention "is that the Christian contemplative heritage provides counselors with a clear perspective on the three components of counseling (1) a useful understanding of the client's situation, (2) guidance for establishing a helping relationship, and (3) effective interventions for resolving the client's problem" (17). To get to this three-fold conclusion that author unpacks what contemplative prayer is, shows how it can and does fit into therapy, the reason Christian counselors needs to practice contemplative prayer for themselves, and the ways this approach enhances counseling sessions and beyond.
Most of the book encircles and investigates seven qualities presence, openness, attention, acceptance, compassion, resonance, and love. On occasion the author will add aspects to these qualities; but they remain central deciphering tools through the volume when looking at each angle of counseling and counselor. There is a very helpful description and definition of love in the final chapter that moves beyond a simple "feel-good-ism".
Since I'm not a counseling professional, I found the book a bit tricky here and there. But I was able to follow along, and get the point and practice the author was gunning for. My only real complaint is that I felt the theological and exegetical sides of the book were light, and at times slightly off-base. I recommend the book for Christians trained as helping specialists in psychology, psychotherapy, and counseling.
My thanks to IVP who sent me a free copy of the book on my request. And my thanks that they have given me the liberty to voice an honest review, no strings attached.
