Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective

by Stephen P. Greggo

Overview

Assessment in counseling—like its biblical counterpart, discernment—is an ongoing and dynamic routine to encourage movement in a productive direction toward what is truly best. In Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective, Stephen P. Greggo equips counselors to put assessment techniques into practical use, particularly with clients who are looking to grow in their identity with Jesus Christ. As a Christian perspective on assessment, this book is designed to supplement standard resources and help counselors navigate challenges at the intersection of psychotherapy and Christian ministry. Greggo charts a course for care that brings best practices of the profession together with practices of Christian discipleship. Key topics include:

• Does a Christian worldview offer distinguishing parameters for assessment practice?
• Can clinical proficiency in assessment bring glory to God?
• How can the crucial psychometric construct of validity be translated into our Christian faith?
• In what ways can the inclusion of objective procedures be transformed into a message of hospitality and affirmation?
• How can counselors maximize the benefits of a therapeutic alliance to attend to immediate concerns and foster spiritual formation?
• How can formal personality measures add depth and substance to the counseling experience?
• How can assessment contribute to client retention, treatment completion, and aftercare planning?

With Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective, clinical and pastoral counselors can bring the best of assessment into counseling that reflects the essence of the Christian faith.

Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Books explore how Christianity relates to mental health and behavioral sciences including psychology, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy in order to equip Christian clinicians to support the well-being of their clients.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830828586
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	03/19/2019
Series:	Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books
Pages:	360
Sales rank:	638,657
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.29(d)

About the Author

Stephen P. Greggo (Psy.D.) is department chair and associate professor of pastoral counseling and psychology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He is a licensed psychologist and has a variety of ministry and counseling experiences. He regularly leads workshops and gives presentations at CAPS, AACC and ETS.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Part 1: Reason for Assessment
1. Assessment to Navigate Change
2. Defining the Assessment Task
3. Assessment Basics for Christians Who Counsel

Part 2: Background Information
4. Forming a Theological Foundation
5. Multiculturalism and Assessment Standards
6. Cultural Identity and Habits for Holistic Assessment
7. The Case for Redemptive Validity

Part 3: Assessment Selection and Administration
8. Artisanship in Conducting Interviews
9. Connecting in Initial Consultations
10. Therapeutic Alliance and the Significant Self
11. The Cutting Edge of Selective Therapeutic Assessment
12. Outfitting the Clinician’s Toolbox

Part 4: Results and Interpretation
13. Gauging Religious Affections
14. Calibrating the Contours of Personality
15. Graduation and Recommendations

Appendix 1: Clinical Assessment Instrument Christian Evaluation Form (CAICEF)
Appendix 2: START Initial Consultation Report
Appendix 3: Counseling Partnership Alliance Check (CPAC)
Author Index
Subject Index

What People are Saying About This

David E. Jenkins

"In Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective, Dr. Stephen Greggo has provided the Christian counseling community a treatise that is exquisite in its quality of authorship and elegant in its graceful simplicity. His personal integrity is reflected in the quality of his work, a masterful demonstration of what he calls us to in this book. Dr. Greggo lays and maintains a biblical and theological bulwark for facing the challenges of assessment generally, but specifically for those uniquely applicable to counselors who are Christian. As such, Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective is a fundamental resource for counselors when thinking with biblical and clinical regard for those entrusted to their care. Christian counseling is better because of Dr. Greggo's contribution!"

Gary J. Oliver

"I am so impressed with what Dr. Greggo has written. Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective is a practical, well-written, much-needed, and long-overdue resource for counselors at any level. It's accessible for younger counselors and also helpful for some of us more experienced ones. The depth and breadth is refreshing. Unfortunately, assessment is a weak spot for many counselors, and that's to the detriment of their clients. Greggo's book can help counselors change both how they view and do therapy, in ways that encourage ongoing integration."

Mark R. McMinn

"Dr. Greggo has once again challenged us to think well about the work we do in Christian counseling and psychotherapy. A leading expert in the topic of assessment, he demonstrates both impressive breadth and depth in this important book. It is practical, current, well researched, and nicely written."

Editorial Reviews

"In Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective, Dr. Stephen Greggo has provided the Christian counseling community a treatise that is exquisite in its quality of authorship and elegant in its graceful simplicity. His personal integrity is reflected in the quality of his work, a masterful demonstration of what he calls us to in this book. Dr. Greggo lays and maintains a biblical and theological bulwark for facing the challenges of assessment generally, but specifically for those uniquely applicable to counselors who are Christian. As such, Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective is a fundamental resource for counselors when thinking with biblical and clinical regard for those entrusted to their care. Christian counseling is better because of Dr. Greggo's contribution!"

David E. Jenkins

"I am so impressed with what Dr. Greggo has written. Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective is a practical, well-written, much-needed, and long-overdue resource for counselors at any level. It's accessible for younger counselors and also helpful for some of us more experienced ones. The depth and breadth is refreshing. Unfortunately, assessment is a weak spot for many counselors, and that's to the detriment of their clients. Greggo's book can help counselors change both how they view and do therapy, in ways that encourage ongoing integration."

Gary J. Oliver

"Dr. Greggo has once again challenged us to think well about the work we do in Christian counseling and psychotherapy. A leading expert in the topic of assessment, he demonstrates both impressive breadth and depth in this important book. It is practical, current, well researched, and nicely written."

Mark R. McMinn