ABSTRACT
Expanding on the previous two chapters within the “biblical anthropology and axiology” pillar, a distinctly Christian psychotherapy employs a biblical understanding of humanity and values so as to guide treatment in a sensitive manner. Grounded in this viewpoint, a Christian understanding of human development suggests that selfhood is found exclusively in God. Yet, because of the fall of humankind, a false self begins to develop, resulting in “disordered loves.” Similar to relational and cognitive behavioral models of self-development, Christians begin to develop a false sense of self (Merton, 1961), which can lead to an emphasis on the pursuit of unhealthy values that exacerbate the symptoms of emotional disorders. In applying the “common factors” domains of support, learning, and action (Lambert, 2013) to biblical anthropology and axiology, (a) support involves helping Christians to turn to God to find the true self, letting go of the false self along the way, (b) learning involves helping Christian clients to explore painful emotions associated with the false self, getting to know the true self in Christ in the process (Pennington, 2000), and (c) action involves helping Christian clients to face their fears about letting go of the false self, as well as living out a set of Christian virtues that are rooted in Scripture. Throughout the chapter, goals, interventions, techniques, and a case example are offered for clinicians working with Christian clients suffering from emotional disorders.
