Deciphering the Discipline of Clinical Psychology through the Eyes of Faith: An Integrational Approach

Abstract

Being a Christian and clinical psychologist our worldview must be determined by Scripture because all truth is Gods truth. Our understanding of mental illness and disorder should also be based upon a biblical worldview. Our therapeutic practice will utilize Scripture to heal our clients for the glory of God. Psychology, then, in the Christian framework, is not an independent activity that operates apart from God; it is dependent upon Gods mercy to illuminate human understanding on therapeutic intervention and research. Human spirituality is a source of great strength. Christians recognize that psychological observations illuminate our understanding of human cognition, emotionality and experience. The Bible gives some very specific instructions on how one might become more emotionally and spiritually healthy, psychology gives us insight into the emotional and mental dynamic of our experience and provides us with tools to enact the Bible‟s instructions. This article will therefore focus on Deciphering the Discipline of Clinical Psychology through the Eyes of Faith.