Christian Counseling by Gary Collins Critique - Book Report/Review Example

?Christian Counseling In the book Christian Counseling by Gary Collins, first of all, the discusses the key issues like the changes that should be done in counseling today, how the counselors should adjust their system of guiding people also it highlights on the house of God’s way of counseling. He explains that counseling is all about change and urges the counselors first to understand the issue of change, which will enable them to serve their clients on adapting to changes in life. The writer explains that, it is extremely necessary for all counselors to build a solid foundation of their work as counselors, to be able to deliver quality guidance to the people. The book also explains on how a person can deal with self-change by avoiding setting unrealistic goals and putting required efforts to accomplish the set target, looking forward to difficulties and being optimistic all the times. The writer maintains that prayers and spiritual dedication are truly vital in attaining personal goals. He gives further explanations on why transformation is difficult, and what makes it difficult in proffering guidelines on how people can make a change that lasts. In addition to that, he also talks about the lawful, ethical and multicultural matters in counseling of Christians. He guides on how church counselors should be educating and leading the Christians on these matters to promote peace and harmony, ensure respect and acceptable behaviors amongst the people in the society. Secondly, the author discusses the most notable concerns that affect the population at present days. The prominent matters that affect human beings are like desolation, anxiety, fury, solitude, guiltiness and forgiveness. He explains how counselors and specialists should help individuals overcome these issues and counsel then on how to avoid these matters affecting their lives. The writer also gives guidelines on the way a person can avoid being carried away by such distressing issues and the steps to take in order to recover from them. The book gives ways on how to avoid getting angry, loneliness also keeping away from committing obvious mistakes that can raise problems. He explains that admitting mistakes that one has done is one way of promoting peace and love to one’s self also to others. At the same time, Gary advises that it is extremely beneficial for one to apologize once on the wrong side also to forgive someone who has wronged them. The author also discusses developmental matters, which affect an individual from the time of childhood to teenager, and at the time when they reach adulthood. He explains how children should be guided on what they do as well as the adolescents, in order to change their moral and ethical behaviors, and at the same time, produce well informed adults. He also urges adults to watch on their behaviours in order to be the role models for the young people. He shows that how children are brought up depicts how they will behave once they become adults. The writer also addresses the interpersonal affairs, and their effect on the populace. He discusses the conflict and relationships, that is, how disagreements affect the unity among relations, and how to curb the situation. The book also outlines about premature sex, and how this brings a tremendous impact to the victims, he gives directions on how the community can help on the situation. He advises on early guidance to young people by the parents, counselors also church leaders to avoid ill-timed pregnancies, HIV, and AIDS amongst the youths. He also advises on sex in marriages, and solutions for the couple, being committed and faithful to one another, in order to maintain the matrimonial home. Gary Collins also talks about homosexuality, and the guidance they can receive from church leaders, counselors and even psychiatrists, to avoid engaging in the act. The writer as well addresses the issue of abuse, especially sexually and abandonment of these victims, and guides on how experts and society at large can go about the matter, to ensure justice, peace and well being. He advises on how to avoid and deal with violence related matters and how to deal with individuals who have such habits. The author’s subsequent discussions are on how to deal with inferiority and self-worth amongst individuals. He urges the counselors also individuals, to understand what causes inferiority and lack of sense of worth, in order to be able to direct those involved, also to know the ways in which they can deal with the whole situation. He explains about counseling on persons having health problems, anguish and suffering from singleness. The writer also gives guidelines on how to choose marriage partners in relationships, and how people can be guided before they get married to promote proper maintenance of marriages. The importance of prayers and moving closer to the Holy Spirit has also being used as a tool, to deal with these issues. Collins explains on how couples can maintain marriage, solving family problems also ways to deal with pregnancy in women. He also highlights about guidance on divorce matters as well as reunion between separated couples, and how they can deal with the circumstances, to avoid more break-up occurrences. Furthermore, the author talks about counseling on control matters such as addiction, troubles connected to alcohol, also mental disorders. He gives guidelines on how specialist can deal with individuals suffering from psychological problems and the way the society is supposed to treat them. The book enlightens on individuals who are addicted to substances like drugs also alcohol, and how they are supposed to be counseled. He gives steps towards putting a stop to these habits to the individuals, also ways to follow in order to avoid being addicted to these stuffs. He urges the church leaders to guide Christians in particular the youths, against engaging in taking drugs, which may include cocaine, marijuana, bang, to mention but a few. The book strongly condemns such acts and asks the house of God to preach strongly against such engagements. Gary also urges counselors and other specialists to give proper guidance to people who are caught up in such situations. He as well discusses monetary and vocational counseling. The book urges advisors to give appropriate guidelines on financial matters: how to save money and make wise spending. The book also talks about the ways students can be guided in choosing their careers in order to make better professions in future. Lastly, the writer talks about more critical issues that can bring drastic effects to the lives of people if proper care is not considered. The issues that conclude the script are such as the disasters, religious, trauma, fright and terrorism. Collins discusses on how the church and advisors can give proper guidance to lead people against committing crimes and sins in the community. He also urges individuals to be responsible enough and do what is acceptable rather than what is considered as wrong both by God and lawfully. The book explains how irresponsible behaviors can bring chaos in the community also destroy somebody’s life, and stresses on the importance of being watchful of what someone does. Gary talks of guidance against racism, fights amidst different communities and issues on death and sorrows, and ways in which the community can get solutions over these matters. The writer also guides the counselors about having substantial advising principles, and that they should always ensure they are fully aware of a situation before guiding their clients. He explains that, excellent advisors are needed in order to have proper guidance to individuals, hence improve the situation of matters that are affecting people in the society, and talks about what the bible says on these matters. Collins finally talks of how counseling can bring effects in the future lives of people depending on how well it is done by the experts. The lessons learned through reading this book are such as behavioral matters. This book has explained to me the importance of having considerable social and ethical behaviors. The author enlightens on how acting irresponsibly can tremendously affect somebody’s life. Through perusing the whole script, I have been able to understand that there is the importance in getting guidance and counseling from a specialist whenever one has a problem. In addition, the book has taught me on ways to follow, as a youth, when choosing a spouse and appropriate relationships in marriage life. Through the outline of the bible sayings that the author has talked about on various matters, I have been able to distinguish on what is sinful against God, as well as the law. In addition, the book has shown me how the repercussions of each action that individuals do, can immensely have an impact on their lives. The writer’s elaboration on the need of proper guidance to young people and couples, to avoid misunderstandings and diseases, has also shown me the significance of receiving, and following instructions from leaders and specialists. This book has also taught in the fact that, it is not only advisable to get guidance from counselors but also from proficient ones who are principled and can properly advise on matters that affect individuals instead of leading them astray. The book has given a lesson on how vital it is for Christians to commit themselves to prayers, and continue living a spiritual life in order to have God’s guidance on matters affecting their lives. Christian Counseling is a first-rate book that is valuable to experts, as well as amateurs. This book has been useful, as reference on several matters in my life also the lives of relations who have been faced with difficulties in different issues. Collins deals with these troubles on the foundation of his widespread Bible acquaintance, and counseling practice. Occasionally, I have passed on the manuscript and have certainly gained from the contents. The book is quite inspirational, and one can be an excellent counselor out of reading it. The book is written is exceedingly plainly and does not have any fluff. It can be used by anyone across the continent who is seeking to be a well-equipped counselor in Christianity matters, and any individual who would want to have a comprehensive knowledge on issues that affect every day’s life. The book is user friendly since it is divided into parts; therefore, one can easily chose a part to read instead of going cover by cover. The script is a necessary read for everyone who wants to succeed in life and it is useful in rebuilding the psychology. This book has built me up spiritually and has motivated me to watch over how I conduct myself, so that I can be a role model to my younger ones. Read More