Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective, By Stephen P. Greggo alt

Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective

Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books

by Stephen P. Greggo

Assessment for Counseling in Christian Perspective
ebook
  • Length: 360 pages
  • Published: March 19, 2019
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • Item Code: 9711
  • ISBN: 9780830897117

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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.

"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, professor of psychology, George Fox University, author of The Science of Virtue

"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, professor and director of MA in addiction counseling, Liberty University

"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, professor of psychology and practical theology, John Brown University
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CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

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

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Stephen P. Greggo

Stephen P. Greggo (PsyD, State University of New York, Albany) is professor of counseling and chair of the counseling department at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, training mental health professionals and clergy for a Christian ministry of soul care. He is author of Trekking Toward Wholeness, is a licensed psychologist and ordained minister, and maintains a long-standing association as partner and consultant with CCAHope in Delmar, New York.