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