The Christian Counselor's Manual: The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling

If you are interested in what the Bible says about how to solve life's problems: addiction, anger, depression, divorce, fear, and so on, this is the reference "Manual" to go to. From how to interview someone seeking counsel, to how to identify the root problem, to how to assign homework this Manual addresses the counseling process step by step. Other books and manuals may address certain counseling issues in more depth, but no other manual describes the process and your priorities with more clarity. If you want to be a better counselor you need this Manual.

This venerable volume from Jay Adams, who for decades has been one of the undisputed leaders in the field of nouthetic counseling, is just as relevant today as it was when it was originally published in 1973. Now thirty five years later, biblical counselors all across the country, and indeed around the world, turn to Adams' wisdom and experience as encapsulated in this text. No true biblical counselor's library is complete without it. Adams spends some of the early chapters of this book explaining the foundational theory behind biblical counseling, counterposing it to inherently flawed secular methodologies like psychoanalysis/psychotherapy (Freud), behaviorism (Skinner) and non-directive counseling (Rogers), to name the main ones. Much of this material echoes what Adams said in "Competent to Counsel". From there he moves on to elaborate on key themes like the indispensibility of hope, reconciliation, biblical change, and the need to identify and treat sin for what it is. Practical explanations abound for essential techniques of data gathering, assigning effective homework, and dealing with a wide range of specific problems, such as fear, anger, sexual problems, communication breakdowns, schizophrenia, etc. Admittedly, this volume does not tell the nouthetic counselor everything he or she needs to know to counsel effectively. There is a large and growing body of other related resources from Adams and many other competent authors to assist the counselor in more specific ways. However, this book offers the fundamental framework for counseling practice that is common to all issues. It would be very difficult to practice true nouthetic counseling without applying the principles in this book.

It is an excellent addition to an Christian counseling library. It has unquie advise for a pastoral counseling that is a little difficult to locate. Each section is covered with gentleness and care for both the client and respect for the conselor. It covers prayer in a way that is foreright and frankly not covered by many textbooks. It is comprehensive in its scope covering the client, the attitudes of the counselor as well as a full range of topics. It is a first line of defense help book.I appreciate the scripture references as well as the honor of giving pratical homework. The book does not shy away from difficut subjects like sin, fears,and the importance of giving hope. I appreciate the concretness of the books presentation.

Back in the day when many Christians were practicing counseling with a Sunday School knowledge of Scripture and a Master's level knowledge of secular theory, Jay Adams burst on the scene exhorting believers to believe in the sufficiency of Scripture. Though not every Christian counselor would accede that Nouthetic counseling embraces the totality of Christian counseling, and not every writer would write with the same acerbic spirit, at least Adams was courageous enough and biblical enough to extrapolate from Scripture one aspect of the practice of biblical spiritual direction. Written as a companion and sequel to Competent to Counsel, Adams outlines in detail how to practice the soul physician's art of confronting sin out of concern for change. He develops the approach of Nouthetic counseling introduced in the earlier volume and applies it to a wide range of issues, topics, and techniques in counseling: Who is qualified to be a counselor? How can counselees change? How does the Holy Spirit work? What role does hope play? What is the function of language? How do we ask the right questions? One might wish for a focus on comforting the suffering out of compassion for hope and healing, however early prophetic voices like Adams often overly tilt the pendulum in one direction. It is up to their heirs to emphasize neglected areas in an irenic spirit. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care And Spiritual Direction, and Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction .

More than any other book, this book provides "how to" guidance with deep Scriptural insight for the Christian Counselor. Step by step The Christian Counselor's Manual provides sound Biblical instruction for counseling Christians including forms, helpful tables, do's and don'ts, and suggested "homework." The author also discusses specific counseling issues that are commonly encountered including, but not limited to, anger, envy, depression, schizophrenia, sex, marriage, fear, and addiction. The Scriptural basis for every aspect of counseling is clearly discussed. If you are a Christian Counselor and can buy only one book,this is the book to buy.

Adams always is a delight to read. While Adams is not perfect he is passionate about the right things and hits the nail on the head on almost every issue. He blazed the trail for modern noutetic counseling. Those who have expressed problems with this book do not have the high view of Scripture that Adams holds and do not understand the depravity of man as the Bible teaches. They also do not understand how the presuppostions of psychology are anti-Christian and they do not bring glory to God. This is a very practical book that is a good read for all Christians who seek to restore their bretheren (Gal. 6)