Artistic integrations: Theological foundations for case-level integration in contemporary Christian counseling

Trinity Journal, Fall 2002 by Greggo, Stephen P

This multi-perspectival approach may be useful in guiding practitioners, thus an extended application is offered here. There is a need for counselors to adjust the operational integration model to fit the discipline that dominates their role and/or the demands of the work setting. Presenting a flexible grid of integration models to learners has the advantage of not producing closure on a single model but promotes an understanding of the benefits of each. The counselor can then make wise selections and applications in near and distant integration decisions. The suggestion here is not that Christian counselors allow the personal preferences of the moment or faddish situational factors to resolve complex integration decisions. Rather, the Holy Spirit enlightening the informed mind of one who knows the "beginning of wisdom" (Job 28:28; Prov 1:7; Jas 1:5) can produce a strategic principled determination.

Hall and Hall provide a stimulating review of the empirical and theoretical literature that incorporates religious and spiritual beliefs, values, and methods into the counseling/psychotherapy process. In their summary, they state the need for clinicians to "articulate theologically and psychologically sound methods and processes of integrative therapy that also demonstrates empirical effectiveness."', Johnson and Jones conclude their exchange of the four selected integration viewpoints with the recommendation that readers develop metasystemic thinking. This counsel allows for resolution of integration dilemmas by purposeful selection of best-fit approaches to the domain under consideration. In offering this abstract solution, they caution against the dangers of relativism and radical postmodern rejection of truth. Fostering the development of a metasystem to guide the integration of psychological and theological material requires the counselor "to keep seeking and pursuing wisdom, which, it must be said, entails calling on God, the source of all wisdom."19

IV. ARTISTIC INTEGRATION

A Christian counselor will not find in her evangelical education that elusive formula to guide once and for all her clinical role, function, focus, or treatment recommendations. What the counselor needs to discover are central truths from biblical and systematic theology that alert her to governing principles to link her integration approach to the elements involved in the immediate client encounter. The counselor seeks to blend these elements with artistic creativity and respect for the resources available. This approach provides relief from the tension stemming from the mechanistic application of conflicting integration models in real life counseling service, without falling into the pits of relativism or random personal preference. By using the term artistic integration, I wish to convey the mixture of art and technique that the clinician must employ to bridge with integrity theological and psychological treatment priorities.20

The four elements that combine to promote healing relationships and to realize integration are context, contact, contract, and content.21 Entering the counseling enterprise with the intent of engaging in kingdom ministry involves careful attention to each underlying element. None of these elements makes sense in isolation, rather there is a need for unity and balance with the other three. Although it would be useful to review sample cases to display how these elements can be applied artistically in an integrated manner, the focus here is on the practical theology that guides each of these elements in the counseling process.