Introduction

In the introduction chapter, the authors review several recent developments in the clinical psychology literature that have paved the way for a distinctly Christian psychotherapy. In addition, the four “pillars” that uphold a Christian worldview are presented, along with the psychotherapy integration literature (generally) and “common factors” and “assimilative integration” models (specifically) (Norcross & Goldfried, 2005). To conclude the chapter, a general outline for the book is provided. In each of the four major sections, the authors start with a Christian view of the topic, drawing from the Bible and other Christian writings that are widely accepted within Christian orthodoxy. Then, a theoretical and empirical exploration of the topic is offered, turning primarily to the clinical psychology and psychology of religion literatures. Finally, the authors apply the topic to a distinctly Christian psychotherapy for emotional disorders, with “support,” “learning,” and “action” phases of therapy unfolding in a sequential order (Lambert, 2013).