By Gary R. Collins
Word Publishing (01908 648440, epremclub@premieronline.co.uk)
595 pages. £17.99
ISBN 0 84993 124 X
Amid the plethora of new publications on the subject of biblical counselling currently available, it would be easy to overlook the tried and trusted works which have given valuable guidance over a number of years. High on the list is this comprehensive handbook by Gary Collins, revised and rewritten in 1988 and appearing in hardback in 1993.
I was introduced to this work by my supervisor when I took my first tentative steps in counselling with Christian Guidelines, Belfast, and it has proved invaluable ever since for reference or study.
At first glance this substantial volume, which contains additional pages of notes, can appear very daunting. It is in fact a companionable and versatile teaching manual, extremely useful to professional and non-professional alike in the field of Christian counselling. Each chapter can stand alone and may be read in any order. As part of a training package, 40 audio cassettes are available.
The book is easy to read and relatively free from jargon. The author makes reference to many trained minds. While not dismissive of other models, he himself adheres to a biblical model. He does not totally reject secular psychology, claiming that all knowledge comes from God and that use should be made of other relevant fields.
The first section comprises five chapters on introductory issues: the counsellor; the church; the community. Chapters six to 38 are wide-ranging and touch on 'the most common issues faced by both Christians and non-believers, problems that interfere with worship, evangelism, teaching, fellowship, growth, meaningful relationships, individual maturity and personal joy. Fittingly, the final chapter deals with counselling the counsellor and illustrates how others can help in the areas of encouragement and accountability.
Each chapter is followed by a reading list of mainly American books. For additional clarity, there are good tables and lists where relevant, such as a table showing the symptoms of chemical additions together with the social and legal consequences, and an outline of effective attitudes which a counsellor may adopt.
If an aspiring counsellor could afford only one handbook in addition to the Bible, this would have to be the one.
