The Bible, Wisdom and Human Nature
the framework into an individual style. This can be both sensitive to context and the preferences of therapist and client, for instance greater or lesser desire for an ordered, ‘step by step’ process. This space for individualising the process appears to be important: Cummings and Lucchese’s research acknowledges that alongside our core values influencing the adoption of specific approaches, incidental issues also play a part, possibly even a primary role. These individual factors include the supervisor’s orientation and that of their personal therapist, plus social, cultural, personal and historical events, all of which may be in conflict with the therapist’s core personality preference. A personalised approach helps minimise this possible dissonance. A static relationship between practitioner and orientation is also doubtful, and so room for ‘evolution’ needs to exist. This current work is itself an attempt to argue for ‘evolution’ not ‘revolution’, by setting forth the strengths of the Waverley Model alongside contemporary theological developments regarding, for instance, imago Dei. Additionally, scientific research on human functioning, for instance neuroscience and that which is directly related to the therapeutic process, has also been utilised for the same purpose.
The focus of change This section will demonstrate how the Waverley Model and relevant teaching material has been adapted increasingly to emphasise relationality as a key aspect of therapeutic change. ‘Change’ in this context parallels ‘Resolution’, ie phase three of Hughes’ Model. As discussed in Chapter 3, ‘Model of Health’, the Waverley Model articulates movement towards health primarily in terms of the process of repentance. The concept of repentance is articulated in specific terms relating to Christdependence: ‘our crucial needs or deep longings can only be met in a deep and ongoing relationship with Christ.’174 Beyond this, the effects of our social context are also acknowledged as impacting healthy development, but only secondarily: ‘Other people may support us, strengthen us and minister to our needs but we are complete only in Him.’175 Given the emphasis on Christ-dependence for health, pathology is closely 128
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