Chapter 5
Model of Psychotherapy
This chapter will explore the Waverley Model’s theory of psychotherapy. Rather than drawing distinctions between these terms, ‘psychotherapy’ and ‘counselling’ will be used interchangeably. In this context ‘model of psychotherapy’ refers to the therapeutic process. Focus is especially upon what elements are necessary in order to foster positive change (which we’ll examine in the first three sections of this chapter) and how the Holy Spirit’s involvement may be understood (which we’ll explore in next two sections). Additionally, it will be discussed as to how Christian counselling, if rooted in a wisdom Christology approach, will at times agree with and at others differ from secular approaches (see the last three sections of this chapter). These issues emerge from the ideas set forth in the previous chapters, as an approach to treating problems needs to cohere with particular assumptions inherent within its personality theory and which sets the frame of reference for the conception and articulation of a problem.
Assessment and diagnosis From the perspective of the Waverley Model, the counselling process is divided into three phases – exploration, diagnosis and resolution. This is defended on the grounds that ‘most agree with this strategy’ despite many different approaches being available to accomplish it. However, some maintain this is an overstatement: an approach which includes an ‘assessment’ or ‘diagnosis’ is antithetical to more humanistically oriented traditions of therapy. Not only is diagnosis regarded as unwarranted but also 125
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