Missional Psychotherapy:A Hermeneutic of Mental Health Care in Christian Counseling

Counted, V, Garzon, F, Hathaway, W, McKinzie, G, Stephens, R and Francis, L.J. (2024) Missional Psychotherapy:A Hermeneutic of Mental Health Care in Christian Counseling. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 43 (2). pp. 189-204. ISSN 0733 4273

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Abstract

In response to the call for integrative scriptural competence (Hathaway, 2021), missional psychotherapy offers a nuanced counseling approach that incorporates the spiritual dimensions of missio Dei (the mission of God) with human experiences to promote spiritual growth, holistic well-being, and personal transformation. Anchored in a Christian worldview that portrays God's redemptive work and the concept of missio Dei, this therapeutic approach acknowledges the individuals' calling to participate in God's work in the world. In this paper, we examine the theoretical foundations, practical applications, and potential benefits of missional psychotherapy as a therapeutic intervention, emphasizing its connection to missional hermeneutics. At the heart of this approach lies the foundational application of clients' spiritual beliefs into the therapeutic process, validating their inherent worth and purpose as part of God's grand narrative. We propose an existential missional paradigm for Christian counseling that facilitates this application by guiding clients through four tasks: personalizing, locating, engaging, and applying God's story to their lives. This framework accentuates the importance of connecting clients with their spiritual roots and the global Christian community, while maintaining sensitivity to their cultural context. The implications of missional psychotherapy transcend individual healing, as it cultivates a spiritually integrated approach to mental health care that concurrently facilitates personal transformation and active involvement in God's mission. The inclusion of fictionalized case examples illustrates the practical application of each task and demonstrates the adaptability of missional psychotherapy in addressing a wide range of psychological concerns and spiritual struggles.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Missional psychotherapy missional therapy missional theology missional hermeneutics of care Christian counseling Christian therapy Christian psychotherapy Christian psychology
Depositing User:	Ursula Mckenna
Date Deposited:	08 Oct 2024 12:32
Last Modified:	08 Oct 2024 12:32
URI:	https://bgro.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/1163

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