Data Gathering | ACBC Exam Question #27

     What is data gathering?  Why is it important?

Data gathering is asking appropriate questions, carefully listening, taking concise notes, as well as observing non-verbal communication in order to understand what is occurring in the counselee’s life.  It is vital to gather accurate and complete data in every counseling scenario so that you can properly and effectively aid your counselee biblically.  Without the proper data it is possible to misdiagnose the real issues, the depth of the effects, and to not get a full picture of the situation, or the counselee. 

We cannot be too careful or thorough when it comes to data gathering.  Proverbs 18:13, 17 admonishes; “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him…The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.”  Gathering data takes time, concentration and concerted effort.  Often a counselee will express their situation in fragments, adding in feelings, pertinent and impertinent details, leaving some parts out (weather unintentionally, or out of embarrassment or guilt).   Naturally, of course our counselee can only convey their side/experience even though there are often other parties involved, and will paint the “picture” in a certain light due the fact that they are disclosing the information to you; a biblical counselor.  We must trust counselees unless proven untrustworthy, but be aware that intentionally or not they are speaking from their terms of reference and with their reputation in mind. 

We gather data through the information sheets we request counselees to fill out before coming to a session, these questionnaires can be very beneficial and we as counselors ought to read them thoroughly before seeing our counselee in person.  Having a basic knowledge from these forms filled out by your counselee saves some time and gives a starting point.  We have to be careful not to “read between the lines”, make assumptions or judgements based on their answers or lack thereof.

 During counseling sessions we need to be listening to our counselee as they present issues; really focusing on them, and taking comprehensive short form notes for future reference.  We let our counselee know we are vesting interest in them when we want know their situation, can recall details, and ask specific questions pertaining to their personal life and struggles.  “Be quick to hear, slow to speak,” (James 1:19) is a command that is vital in counseling. 

Question asking ought to be a well-honed skill of counselors.  Initially a tool to help your counselee feel at ease, able to trust you; and then further deeper, probing questions get to the heart issues, the sin patterns, how the person thinks, their desires, their fears, etc.  A brief overview of the persons’ spiritual journey is always a good idea. Depending on the issue they have come to counselling for it may be pertinent to ask about physical health issues, sleep habits, diet, exercise, and medication.  Emotions are always a strong factor in the lives of people.  They need to be taken into our data inventory, as well as the actions of the person, their attitudes/convictions, their history is important (and at times has not yet been dealt with) and can affect how they handle current situations.  All of these areas of mines of information that give us a broader picture of our counselee and help us to help them.      

“Understanding and counseling people biblically is a challenging and rewarding responsibility.  But sloppiness or neglect in gathering data can undermine the whole process.  That is why biblical counselors need to develop expertise in this endeavor.  We need to work carefully and prayerfully at improving our inventory-taking skills as though our effectiveness as a counselor depended on it, because from a human point of view, it does!”¹

¹ “Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically”, John MacArthur,*chapter quoted is authored by Wayne Mack, page 146

Developing Involvement During Counseling | ACBC Exam Question #26

 Describe how to develop involvement with a counselee.  What is the difference between empathy and involvement?  Is this difference significant?  

“We are most receptive to counsel from those we know are with us and for us.  They can speak frankly about our faults, and though we may be annoyed temporarily, we soon realize they are only trying to help us because they are concerned for us.  On the other hand, if someone whom we perceive as a stranger or an enemy criticizes us, we tend to react defensively and with suspicion about their motives.  In counseling as in any other relationship, we must remember that our impact and influence in people’s lives is usually related to their perception of us.  That is why involvement is so important to the counseling process.  Usually the counseling process is truly effective only when an acceptable level of involvement has been established.”¹

                When it comes to our life issues; we don’t care what people know, unless we know that they care genuinely for us.  A counselor develops involvement through compassion, respect, and sincerity; otherwise a counselee will not open up honestly, nor accept counsel to biblical change. 

                Empathy is a noun meaning “the intellectual identification with or vicarious experiencing of the feelings, thoughts, or attitudes of another.”²  Involvement however is a verb which includes actions of engaging in relationship, it is active, participatory.  Empathy feels sorry for the person whose house burned to the ground, involvement goes to the person, and aids them in their circumstances.  Empathy is emotional, involvement takes the emotion and puts it into supportive action.     

                Counselees need to know that we are investing in an (appropriate) relationship with them.  We can accomplish this by; genuinely caring and telling them (Philippians 1:8), praying for and with them (Colossians 4:12-13), meet physical needs if necessary (1 John 3:17), celebrating good things and grieving as appropriate (Romans 12:15), being gentle (Matthew 12:20), tactful (Proverbs 15:23), gracious (Colossians 4:6), loving and accepting them even when counsel is rejected (Mark 10:21), defending them when accused (Matthew 12:1-7), forgiving them when wronged (Matthew 18:21-22), trusting them (unless facts prove otherwise) (1 Corinthians 13:7). 

                A lot of involvement in counseling can be communicated by non-verbal communication; facing your counselee with an open stance, eye contact, and physical expressions that indicate you are tracking them as they speak (nodding, smiles during good news, etc…).  If a first time counselee comes to my office door, at an arranged meeting time and I am on the phone, or otherwise engaged, and unprepared I have communicated that they are forgotten, not a priority, perhaps even a nuisance (especially if I sigh).  This is not a good start to developing involvement.  We need to consider every opportunity of influence we have on the life of our counselees and be intentional to foster an open, loving environment of trust, respect, and sincerity in our relationships with them.   

¹ “Counseling: How to Counsel Biblically”, John MacArthur,*chapter quoted is authored by Wayne Mack, page 102        ² www.dictionary.com

First Counseling Session | ACBC Exam Question #25

 What are some of the important needs in the first session?

         In the first session we set the tone for the entire counseling relationship that will grow over the course of the needed number of sessions.  At the outset it needs to be communicated this counseling is about the Word of God, and His Spirit who enables change.  This can be accomplished in advance through a questionnaire, consent form, and is often known by the affiliation of a church, or reputation.  It can be reinforced by simply opening in prayer, but may require further explanation depending on the counselors’ knowledge of the counselee, their present spiritual condition, etc. 

       A large amount of time in the first session is spent gathering relevant data.  This is accomplished by asking questions, carefully listening, and taking notes in order to understand what is occurring in the couselee’s life.  Assumptions, judgement, and rushing while getting information is dangerous.  Scripture warns; “He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)  A lot can be gathered through non-verbal communication also, it is good to note their tone of voice, body language, eye contact, etc.   

      We want to start to build loving involvement right away; developing a meaningful (not just professional) relationship with your counselee in order to minister God’s Word in his/her life.  Christ set the example for us in how He lived, loved and served others (Hebrews 12:14-18, John 1:14).  We have to be sensitive to their struggles, take them seriously, seek to encourage them, be genuine, be compassionate in suffering, confront sin in love, and emphasize God’s grace in their life and my own.   

        Every single time we meet with someone we want to always give Biblical hope; conveying an assurance that God is working good in our lives for His glory and our growth (Romans 8:28,29, Romans 15:4, 13).  People come to counseling looking for hope, help and encouragement.  We need to be intentional about using God’s Word to provide the hopeful perspective their hearts need (Psalm 42:5, 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Philippians 1:6).   

        It’s a good idea to forecast an agenda for you and your counselee as best as you can.  Let them know there will be homework required of them.  Explain it’s function and importance (to put the Word into practice into their daily life, continuing the application of truth between sessions).  Map out how many sessions and roughly the topics/direction of counseling you foresee being helpful, and welcome their feedback.  Then, give them some homework that is practical, manageable and targeted to their specific circumstances/struggles/needs that involves Scripture in some way.

        Prayer ought to be involved in every part of the counseling process; before, during, after; aloud yes, and when appropriate having the counselee pray as well.  But personally as a counselor our prayer life is vital.  Prayer keeps us connected to God, the source of power we, and our counselees need (Matthew 7:7-11).  Praying for wisdom (James 1:5) for the counselees understanding (Psalm 119:130) , praying for our counselees specific needs between sessions, asking for God’s help silently throughout the session (1 Thessalonians 5:17) , realizing it is His work (Philippians 2:13).   “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)