The monk who was my oblation director, guiding my studies 
of the Rule, waited patiently for me to sort out my muddle. 
Finally I said to him, "I can't imagine why God would want 
me, of all people, as an offering. But if God is foolish enough 
to take me as I am, I guess I'd better do it." 

The monk smiled broadly and said, "You're ready."

___________________  Kathleen Norris 
                                                  from The Cloister Walk

Judeo-Christian Worldview

While formally trained in Psychotherapy and Counseling, my goal has always been to integrate principles of the Judeo-Christian worldview, its spiritual philosophy, ethical disciplines, Biblical insight and Scripture into my counseling practice.  This blend of psychotherapy and spiritual worldview has proven very effective in resolving difficult and sometimes very complex life issues.  Although I routinely integrate principles of the Judeo-Christian Biblical worldview into my counseling practice, I do not attempt to proselytize or push my spiritual beliefs upon others.  I always provide written disclosure of my spiritual worldview for this reason. 

My volunteer and professional training includes employment at both Christian and secular agencies.  These diverse environments offered extensive experience on which to draw insight and direction for my style of counseling.  Combined with a Judeo-Christian Biblical Worldview, my approach to counseling has matured into a holistic and integrated philosophy including both spiritual insight and modern theoretical dynamics to provide a balanced and effective approach to psychotherapy and counseling.

Overall, many common values cut across cultures and worldviews: a mother's love for her child, a husband's love for his wife, a minister's love for his people.  My personal worldview accepts that the gifts of love and respect are available and freely given by God regardless of one's worldview.  God's love continues to be available – even if a person chooses not to believe in God! 

Comparison of Two Major Worldviews

A skilled counselor becomes a mirror to the client’s soul, yet does not manipulate a client into doing something against his or her will.  Neither is a counselor required to change his or her worldview to match that of his or her client.  This is why understanding one's personal values and spiritual beliefs system becomes critically important to the counseling environment.  If a counselor does not master his or her own system of thought, beliefs and values, it becomes difficult or impossible to help others master their own.  

Our thoughts, beliefs and values often determine the baseline to one’s spiritual and behavioral reality. While there appears to be some altruistic crossover among worldviews (e.g., feed the poor, house the homeless, rescue those in need) there is considerable divergence among spiritual views.  For example, the Judeo-Christian worldview derives its core values directly from the Bible; believing Scripture to be the inspired word of God.  So Christians serve others in their desire to honor God. 

On the other hand, a Humanistic worldview denies any literal revealed knowledge from a personal Creator God. Although an Agnostic worldview leaves room for an "unknowable and distant Creator God," it does not recognize the validity of God-breathed Scripture.  The Bible is viewed as a compilation of mythic characters and moral tales; nothing more than a story book. 

Humanistic (Secular) thought holds a major presupposition that human beings are the ultimate evolved being and therefore sole masters of their destiny.  Self is supreme!  This premise creates a spiritual void in the human soul.  Since human beings are the ultimate spiritual reality, there is no need or room for anything greater in a spiritual form of deity.

These worldviews often collide as polar opposites. Core values for one are not recognized by the other. Conflict emerges over spiritual authority and personal power. One side claims God and the other claims Self. Who says what is right and wrong? These conflicting worldviews are observed in political controversy over separation of religion and state, abortion, embryonic research, evolution verses creationism in schools, the Ten Commandments, etc. 

In terms of spiritual values, Humanistic and Judeo-Christian worldviews are mutually exclusive.  Each hold specific beliefs and its own philosophy.  Hence, the term "worldview". 

Whether differing views can work together to promote human good is another question.  If human beings base their ultimate values upon self actualization (e.g., reaching the top rung of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs), we better hope those setting the course are not sociopathic or narcissistic. This paradox presents an internal problem to humanism thought – the lack of Higher Power outside self makes self the higher power.  In other words, man makes up the the rules as he goes along.  Recently, even the humanists see a need for something spiritual in their lives.  But that is not the God of Judeo-Christian Scripture.  

Perhaps Viktor Frankl in Man's Search for Meaning got closest to the humanistic ideal when he wrote, "The more one forgets himself – by giving himself to a cause to serve, or another person to love – the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself.  In other words, self-actualization is possible only as a side effect of self-transcendence." 

Setting aside the authenticity of Scripture requires humanistic thought to arbitrarily decide which values are most worthwhile.  For example, the belief that each human being is uniquely and wonderfully created by God and possesses intrinsic value and worth collides with Humanistic concepts like population control, euthanasia and abortion.  Values within these two worldviews create an oil and water experience – although both views exist, the two are not homogenous and never shall meet.

So ... why the emphasis on worldview? 

In this culture of competing worldviews my desire is to maximize the potential for a compatible counseling relationship.  I routinely provide counseling to those with differing worldviews, and I routinely explore the beliefs and values held by each client.  The main idea is to promote understanding and to accept people where they are at regardless of worldview.  If worldviews are significantly diverse, I want to be mindful of my bias so not to lose sight of another's perspective.  By seeking common values I can help clients reach their prospective goals whether or not seen exclusively through the filter of the Judeo-Christian worldview. 

Theoretically, goals and objectives can be entirely met without going to into one's spiritual worldview.  However, I have found that delving deep into intra-psychic or core relational wounds often triggers exploration of personal values and beliefs that can easily tap one's view of spirituality. And unfortunately, without Christ as a model (or something emulating the character of Christ) it's not necessarily logical to love your neighbor more than yourself.  This Scriptural edict defies "Survival of the fittest." 

What specific advantage is there to working with a counselor who shares my Judeo-Spiritual Worldview?

Especially when dealing with issues that involve spirit and soul it is imperative to correlate spiritual worldviews.  Since one's spiritual identity is so personal and complex, it is generally not something one explores with those of opposing or even neutral spiritual worldviews.  When a person engages therapy and spiritual issues are creating conflict or uncertainty, it becomes a focal point of therapeutic healing.  Spiritual healing comes from a source greater than the therapist.  As a therapist I become an agent of God's grace and healing, but  I do not become God.  I look above and outside myself for the healing hand of God to minister to my clients. 

An advantage to my training and experience as a psychotherapist and counselor is to explore the mind and emotions in context of spiritual conflict.  If one's core spiritual beliefs are incongruent with their life experience then many conflicts (e.g., anxiety, depression, anger, hopelessness) arise.  I help clients articulate the problem, expose the conflict, and offer means to reconcile the difference between belief and experience.  

Many clients seek my services specifically because of my worldview, and because I integrate the Judeo-Christian spiritual philosophy directly into the counseling environment.  Integration of spiritual beliefs and concepts is very important to many people, especially when they view their spiritual beliefs as a fundamental part of whom they are. 

Furthermore, working within a mutual worldview offers an already laid framework concerning values and conceptualization of the world and heavens around us.  Though some differences exist even within compatible worldviews, I routinely observe a huge benefit to speaking the same "spiritual language" as my client.  Worldview compatibility enables me to encourage my clients by use of Scripture and Biblical constructs already familiar to them.  Therapeutic prayer when requested by the client (e.g., Theophostic Prayer Ministry), is an extremely powerful tool to "touch and heal" their deepest wounds of the soul.  

Since the very essence of counseling is based on trust and understanding, one would think it advantageous to integrate compatible worldviews when possible.  Why not begin with a common foundation if it already exists?  

_____________________

For those who share the Judeo-Christian worldview and would like to read more on how I integrate this philosophy into my counseling theory and practice ... please go to section titled Spiritual Philosophy located here or on the main menu.

“Victory depends on many counselors." 

     ______________  (Proverbs 24:6)

(c)  Thomas Isaac Berscheid, MA, LMFT, LPC, Licensed Minister