How Does Psychology Work with Christian or Biblical Counseling?
Rich Blue, M.A., LCPC, IBCC, NCC.
The question that concerns me the most is, “What works?” What matters least to me is what we call the counseling we are doing, albeit Christian or secular. This seems clannish and petty. What concerns me is whether we are orienting to truth and following life-enhancing principles. These truths and principles are not found only in the Bible and known by those who have a personal relationship with Christ. In fact, just as in Jesus’ time, many times those who are supposed to be the representatives of God are actually Pharisees. They may possess the truth, however, they fail to live it.
When I am in need of counseling, I am hungry to find someone who will support me in understanding myself. I want to know that someone gets me and can help me see that I make sense. I am not seeking someone to change me. Transformation is my responsibility and prerogative. Alfred Adler believed that all behavior was purposive—everything we do has a purpose. When you understand what the purpose of an attitude or behavior is, then you can effectively participate in the process of transformation.
When I attended Sleepy Hollow elementary school in Orinda, California, I was known to be the student with the most minutes in the penalty box. The game I was playing was school and the penalty box was the Principal’s office. I was not mean or unkind, I was simply very active, rambunctious, and did not know when to stop. My peers thought I was entertaining and my teachers found me annoying. We had two classes in each grade and rumor has it that the teachers experienced serious angst over who would get Richy Blue the following year.
Looking back, I understand that there were multiple levels of understanding about what the purpose was of my chronic misbehavior. At the Center for Christian Life Enrichment (CLE) we use a tool called the Funnel of Truth in our counseling to help us see that there are various levels of truth operating at every given moment. At a superficial level, I was a bit hyperactive. At a deeper level, I was starving for adult attention. At a much deeper and unconscious level, I was crying out for help.
The reason my misbehavior persisted was not that I was strong-willed, defiant or stupid. It was because the behavior had not fulfilled its purpose. I now believe I was trying to be noticed. I desperately needed adult comfort and attention. I was secretly struggling with the wounds of living in an abusive home. I believe I was magically hoping that somehow someone would dig around and try and figure out why I was so needy and disruptive. I needed someone to see me and help me meet my needs for safety and security.
After 7 years in ministry, I moved from being a college Chaplain to becoming a therapist because of my desire to understand the why behind what others and I were persistently doing that was resulting in ongoing pain and suffering. I was fortunate to attend Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and get a Master’s degree that integrated Christianity and psychology. At TEDS there was a respect for both disciplines and a commitment to integration.
I am a Christian counselor because I seek to emulate Christ in who I am as a person, what I believe, how I live, and how I practice therapy. My clients expect me to model and communicate truth and support them to learn, grow and transform themselves into the image of Christ. We are engaging in parallel fights side by side. I believe God is the source of all truth, regardless of where its address is found in the Bible or in philosophy. Whether I learn it from Carl Rogers, Moses or Jesus makes little difference to me. I seek truth and believe that it is my responsibility to discern what I believe to be true along with the values and principles that I live by.
I invite any Christian to partner with all those who desire to achieve their potential, follow truth, feel their feelings, live with integrity, engage authentically in the here and now, and act responsibly. Let’s learn how to play together and live life abundantly.
Rich Blue, M.A., LCPC, IBCC, NCC, Christian Life Enrichment’s Founder and Clinical Director, is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor with over 25 years of experience. Rich first placed his faith in Jesus Christ in 1972. He joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ where he served for seven years and later became Campus Director at Northwestern University. It was through this ministry that Rich first discovered his love for counseling. Known for his insight, compassion and a no-nonsense approach to therapy, Rich believes that Christ has an infinite love for all and each of us can be a vehicle for his love. As an avid athlete, he believes in competition, which brings joy and aliveness as the result of living life with dedication, purpose, and passion.