Welcome to the Flipped Classroom for the Transformational Approach to Faith and Counseling Integration
In this flipped classroom, you are going to learn about the newest approach to counseling and faith integration, the transformational approach. Now, first, you may be asking, what is a flipped classroom? The flipped classroom is a form of blended learning in which new content in learned online so that in-depth discussion and application, rather than lecture, can take place in class. Want to learn more? Visit http://www.knewton.com/flipped-classroom/
In this flipped classroom, you are going to watch 2 vodcast lectures on YouTube to learn about the basic assumptions of the transformational approach and its application to a clinical setting . A brief description of the approach and identification of its proponents are also outlined for you to read below.
Then, in class, get ready to discuss. Make sure you have thought deeply about the discussion points and presentation document. Be ready to outline the transformational approach’s strengths, weaknesses, and application in a personal counseling and faith integration approach. Don’t forget to outline your thoughts on this and place them in the BB submission link before class.
Now let’s get started!
A Basic Overview of the Transformational Approach
The transformational approach “mingles both the act of faith and the act of observation-reflection on creation into one, by loving God in the object of science and the object of science in God” (Coe & Hall, 2010a, p. 207). In this approach the spiritual-emotional transformation of the counselor is foundational for understanding, developing, and preserving the process, methodology, and product of doing counseling in the Spirit. There are five foundations central to understanding the approach.
The Five Foundations of the Approach
- Doing counseling within tradition
- Doing counseling anew in the Spirit
- Doing counseling grounded in reality, known by faith
- Doing counseling as one single, yet complex study of reality in faith
- Doing counseling as a science, both descriptive and prescriptive
A View of a Person
The transformational approach draws from the spiritual direction literature (Williard, 2002) to describe a view of the person. Williard’s (2002) model provides a holistic way to conceptualize the human being. Williard proposes 5 aspects of the human being, which interact to make up human nature:
- Spirit (choice, will, heart, decision)
- Mind (images, concepts, judgments & sensations, emotions)
- Body (action, interaction with the physical world)
- Social (personal and structural relationships with others)
- Soul (the integrative factor of all other elements)
In terms of counseling, each component can be viewed as an element that needs to be focuses upon for the purpose of (Moon, 2012):
- Improving maladaptive functioning
- Increasing positive outcomes
- Enhancing Spiritual formation
Health and Psychopathology
As clients are seen as “nonceasing spiritual beings who will likely benefit greatly from aligning himself with the Creator of the universe in an ongoing and transforming friendship” (Moon, 2012, p.142), “…the goal of a nuanced transformational counseling model is for the client to reconnect with God in a deep and profound way…to enter a transformational friendship with the members of the Trinity” (Moon, 2012, pp. 144-145)
Thus, health is defined as:
- Living in close alignment with God
- Submitting to the will of God on a moment by moment basis
- Having a transforming friend ship with the Trinity (John 17:3)
Alternatively, spiritual pathology is
- Living separate from God
- Life lived out of false self
Moon (2012) differentiated spiritual pathology from other pathology. Other pathology is
- Defined in the DSM
- Is characterized by maladaptive emotional, social, and vocational functioning
***Note: In the transformational view, the first point of reference for the evaluation is a client’s safety, pathology and health; however, additional and alternative perspectives to healthy living are also introduced (e.g. spiritual functioning; Moon, 2012).
Key Proponents
While several individuals have written about this approach, two key proponents are:
John H. Coe, Ph.D. in Ancient Philosophy, Aristotle and Virtue Ethics
- Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Biola University
- Professor of Philosophy and Spiritual Theology
Todd W. Hall, Ph.D in Psychology
- Director of the Institute for Research on Psychology and Spirituality
- Professor of Psychology at Biola University
Recommended Reading on the Transformational Approach
- Coe, J. & Hall, T. W. (2010a). A Transformational Psychology View. In Johnson, E. (Ed.), Christianity and Psychology: Five Views. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- Coe, J. C. & Hall, T. W. (2010b). Psychology in the Spirit: Contours of a Transformational Psychology. InterVarsity Press, Christian Worldview Integration Series.
- Moon, G. (2012). A transformational approach. In Greggo, S., & Sisemore, T. (Eds.), Counseling and Christianity: Five approaches. Drowners Grove, Ill: IVP Academics.
Online
Step 1: Read the discussion points and reflect upon them as you watch the online videos. Download the Discussion Point Document to take notes as you watch the online videos.
Discussion Points:
- What are the most important points learned about the Transformational Approach?
- What are the “muddiest” points learned of the Transformational Approach?
- What are the strengths of the Transformational Approach?
- What are the weaknesses of the Transformational Approach?
- Are there overlaps between counseling theories and the Transformational Approach? If so, what are they? How would you overlay them on top of the Transformational Approach or use them within this approach?
- How is the Transformational Approach applicable to your own theory of faith and counseling integration and counseling practice?
Step 2: Watch The Basic Assumptions & Tenants of the Transformational Approach (Part 1).
Learn about
- A Definition for the Transformational Approach
- The View of a Person from a Transformational Approach
- A Definition of Health & Pathology from a Transformational Approach
- The Goal of therapy from a Transformational Approach
- The 5 foundations of the Transformational Approach
- The Person, The Process, & The Product: Theoretical and existential views of Transformational Approach
Right Click this link and “Save As” to download the PDF Presentation for note-taking purposes.
Consider additional recommended reading:
- Hall, T. W. Fujikawa, A., Halcrow, S., Hill, P.C., Delaney, H. (2009). Attachment to God and implicit spirituality: Clarifying correspondence and compensation models. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 37(4), 227-242.
- Hall, T. W. (2007a). Psychoanalysis, attachment, and spirituality Part I: The emergence of two relational traditions. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 35(1), 14-28.
- Hall, T. W. (2007b). Psychoanalysis, attachment, and spirituality Part II: The spiritual stories we live by. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 35(1), 29-42.
Step 2: Watch The Clinical Setting from a Transformational Approach (Part 2)
Learn about
- 5 levels for implementation outlined by Coe and Hall
- Moon’s approach to implementing the Transformational Approach in a counseling setting:
- Assessment
- Change
- Phases of Counseling (Praxis)
Right Click this link and “Save As” to download the PDF Presentation for note-taking purposes.
In Class
Step 1: Be ready to discuss the following discussion points. Bring the Discussion Point Document you took notes on to class.
Discussion Points:
- What are the most important points learned about the Transformational Approach?
- What are the “muddiest” points learned of the Transformational Approach?
- What are the strengths of the Transformational Approach?
- What are the weaknesses of the Transformational Approach?
- Are there overlaps between counseling theories and the Transformational Approach? If so, what are they? How would you overlay them on top of the Transformational Approach or use them within this approach?
- How is the Transformational Approach applicable to your own theory of faith and counseling integration and counseling practice?
References
- Coe, J. & Hall, T. W. (2010a). A Transformational Psychology View. In Johnson, E. (Ed.), Christianity and psychology: Five views. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
- Coe, J. C. & Hall, T. W. (2010b). Psychology in the Spirit: Contours of a Transformational Psychology. InterVarsity Press, Christian Worldview Integration Series.
- Hall, T. W. Fujikawa, A., Halcrow, S., Hill, P. C., Delaney, H. (2009). “Attachment to God and implicit spirituality: Clarifying correspondence and compensation models.” Journal of Psychology and Theology, 37(4), 227-242.
- Hall, T. W. (2007a). “Psychoanalysis, attachment, and spirituality Part I: The emergence of two relational traditions.” Journal of Psychology and Theology, 35(1), 14-28.
- Hall, T. W. (2007b). “Psychoanalysis, attachment, and spirituality Part II: The spiritual stories we live by.” Journal of Psychology and Theology, 35(1), 29-42.
- Lazarus, A. (1981). The practice of multimodal therapy. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company.
- McMinn, M. R. (1996). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling. Carol Steam, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
- Moon, G. (2012). A transformational approach. In Greggo, S., & Sisemore, T. (Eds.), Counseling and Christianity: Five approaches. Drowners Grove, Ill: IVP Academics.
- Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J., Spaulding, L. S. & Swezey, J. A. (2014, in press). Right sizing your research method. In Rockinson-Szapkiw, A. J. & Spaulding, L. S. (Eds.), Navigating the doctoral journey: A handbook of strategies for success. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Willard, D. (2002). Renovation of the heart. Colorado Springs, Co: NavPress.
- Warner, R. M. (2012). Applied statistics: From bivariate through multivariate techniques (2ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.