Running head: MCMINN BOOK REVIEW 1
Neff & McMinn Ch. 4-6 Review: Christian
Integration in Counseling
McMinn Book Review
*******-***********
Liberty University
, MCMINN BOOK REVIEW 2
McMinn Book Review
Summary
In the book, Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, McMinn
(2011) discusses several important concepts for integrating psychology, theology, and spirituality
into Christian counseling. While there is much discussion on the subject of integration, McMinn
suggests that in the field of Christian counseling, spiritual formation is a crucial part of a client’s
healing and growth (McMinn, 2011, p. 5). McMinn also shares his wisdom and experience to
explain practical ways of safely integrating prayer and Scripture into the counseling sessions. I
will highlight several topics that McMinn (2011) explored in this book that I believe are essential
for any professional in the social services field to reflect upon.
The beginning two chapters focus on several important themes such as a firm foundation,
the counselor’s spiritual life, and informed consent (McMinn, 2011). The first idea that McMinn
(2011) makes is the importance of a grounded foundation in all three aspects of psychology,
theology, and spirituality (p. 26). He suggests that proficiency in all areas and in all of the
accepted theories are in the best interest of the client for healing (McMinn, 2011, p. 26).
Focusing too heavily on any one, such as psychology, can leave out other valuable and proven
healing techniques found in the remaining two (McMinn, 2011, p. 9).
The next concept found in beginning chapters, deal directly with the counselor’s
disposition and inner life practices (McMinn, 2011, p. 12). Many clients think that Christian
counseling is secular counseling with a Bible verse or two sprinkled in (McMinn, 2011, p. xxi).
Even among Christian counselors, there is such diversity in techniques that there is little
agreement on what constitutes Christian counseling (McMinn, 2011, p. 13). McMinn (2011)
also suggests that this is one of the few professional fields in which the counselor’s personal life
Neff & McMinn Ch. 4-6 Review: Christian
Integration in Counseling
McMinn Book Review
*******-***********
Liberty University
, MCMINN BOOK REVIEW 2
McMinn Book Review
Summary
In the book, Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling, McMinn
(2011) discusses several important concepts for integrating psychology, theology, and spirituality
into Christian counseling. While there is much discussion on the subject of integration, McMinn
suggests that in the field of Christian counseling, spiritual formation is a crucial part of a client’s
healing and growth (McMinn, 2011, p. 5). McMinn also shares his wisdom and experience to
explain practical ways of safely integrating prayer and Scripture into the counseling sessions. I
will highlight several topics that McMinn (2011) explored in this book that I believe are essential
for any professional in the social services field to reflect upon.
The beginning two chapters focus on several important themes such as a firm foundation,
the counselor’s spiritual life, and informed consent (McMinn, 2011). The first idea that McMinn
(2011) makes is the importance of a grounded foundation in all three aspects of psychology,
theology, and spirituality (p. 26). He suggests that proficiency in all areas and in all of the
accepted theories are in the best interest of the client for healing (McMinn, 2011, p. 26).
Focusing too heavily on any one, such as psychology, can leave out other valuable and proven
healing techniques found in the remaining two (McMinn, 2011, p. 9).
The next concept found in beginning chapters, deal directly with the counselor’s
disposition and inner life practices (McMinn, 2011, p. 12). Many clients think that Christian
counseling is secular counseling with a Bible verse or two sprinkled in (McMinn, 2011, p. xxi).
Even among Christian counselors, there is such diversity in techniques that there is little
agreement on what constitutes Christian counseling (McMinn, 2011, p. 13). McMinn (2011)
also suggests that this is one of the few professional fields in which the counselor’s personal life
