Biblical Psychology embraces biblicallyconsistent Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as the Judeo-Christian Model of Human Psychology. This is a Powerpoint presentation in support of the textbook / reader available on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Biblical-ModelHuman-Psychologyebook/dp/B00D5ZIM9I/ref=sr_1_3?s=books &ie=UTF8&qid=1424104275&sr=13&keywords=Stephen+H.+Farra © Stephen H. Farra, 2015. All rights reserved.
There are many Secular Models of Psychological Therapy to Choose from – • Freudian (Psychodynamic) models that stress coming to better terms with your past, through free association, memory recovery, dream and error analysis, hopefully producing catharsis and insight, supposedly producing better overall emotional adjustment to life … • Skinnerian (Operant Conditioning) models that stress systematic application of environmental influence (reinforcement) to shape/produce “better” behaviors … • Rogerian (Non-Directive, Existential) models that stress having the Counselor extend empathetic listening and unconditional positive regard to the point that you are able to more clearly see and solve your own problems …
Biblical Counselors have proposed a Bible, Prayer, and Faith (only) model • Biblical Counselors rightly content that we need to distance ourselves from the non-biblical portraits of human beings deeply embedded in these dominant secular models. • But, they also contend that the Bible is a “totally sufficient” resource for understanding and treating mental disorders. • Biblical Counselors do not offer scientific (empirical) studies showing that their own models work very well for mental or emotional disorders. • They do not put forward the necessary in-depth psychomedical education or the properly sequenced mini-steps needed for better management or cure of the disorders. • So, we are left looking for a better alternative …
C.B.T. – the Secular Model closest to the Biblical Understanding of Human Beings • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), like Scripture, claims that is possible to “get past your past” by paying close attention to what you mentally focus upon, and to what you say to yourself (your internal, repetitious “self-talk”). • The biblically consistent version of this model (involving Cognitive Restructuring and Behavioral Contracting) is built around the concept that Truth is Powerful – one of the central messages of Scripture. • CBT, like Scripture, often requires behavioral accountability (“homework”) – regularly monitoring progress toward selfdeclared, meaningful goals. • These methods frequently lead to many good outcomes:
The Outcome Research Track Record • Besides inherently being the most biblical of the secular models (in terms of assumptions and therapeutic methods), CBT has shown itself to be among the most effective, longest-lasting, and most efficient forms of psychological therapy currently available state-of-the-art treatment, the current “gold standard” in most graduate schools and medical programs. • CBT has shown itself to often be efficiently effective for Anxiety Disorders, Insomnia, Depression, Eating Disorders, Anger Management, Sexual and Relationship issues, even management of Bipolar and Schizophrenic disorders - in literally hundreds of controlled, clinical trials (see textbook for several pages of research citations).
Unpacking How the Different Therapeutic Models View and Treat the Human Being • The question is often asked, “Why are there so many different models of psychotherapy”? • The different models tend to divide out according to how they view Unconscious forces in the human being. • If a group (or “school”) of theorists and practitioners believe intentional consciousness is largely an illusion, and/or unconscious impulses tend to rule most of the time, then they will put forward very different models and procedures from those who believe that most life outcomes are the direct result of conscious choices:
• 1) Skinner / Operant Behaviorists – ALL influence is "bottom-up" (environmental forces producing direct biological and behavioral change – no meaningful conscious/cognitive input). The influence of the environment on our biology produces essentially involuntary reactions. We are completely determined by forces outside ourselves. The conscious mind is an illusion, an explanatory fiction. Prior conditioning, plus current environmental reinforcement is said to be entirely responsible for human behavior. Psychotherapy is seen as a waste of time. • Empirical studies indicate that Skinner's animaltraining model can be effective, but only under tightly controlled, carefully maintained, laboratory and laboratory-like conditions.
• 2) Freud (Psychoanalysis, Psychodynamic Psychology) -- Humans possess a small, weak, fragile conscious mind. It exists, but it is easily overpowered by the Unconscious. Most human behavior is under the control of aggressive and sexual instincts that most human beings cannot adequately understand or begin to control apart from the help of a trained analyst. • Genetic/biological influences (particularly sexual urges) and early childhood experiences are seen as more powerful and more responsible for human behavior than are conscious intentions. • Therapies built on this model, generally speaking, lack empirical support. Evidence of effectiveness is largely limited to anecdotes.
• 3) Jung, Rogers (Self-Actualization Psychology) – The conscious mind is seen as more powerful and potentially more aware that Freud's weak "ego," but is still about equally balanced by multiple forms of the Unconscious (Jung), or one's own emotions (Rogers). Therapy may consume a considerable amount of time, but there is sustained hope that through analysis and dialogue (Jung), and/or empathetic listening (Rogers) and subsequent personality “re-integration”, a therapist can effectively help a client to overcome self-alienation, and move toward “self-actualization.” Clients are said to be primarily responsible to themselves for their thinking and their behavior. • Therapies built on this model have been able to demonstrate "the healing power of presence,” often referred to as the positive "placebo effect" of caring adult attention. Beyond this, evidence of clinical effectiveness is mostly anecdotal.
• 4) Adler, Beck, Ellis, Frankl, Glasser (CognitiveBehavioral Interventions) – Subconscious influence is not denied, but the Conscious Mind is seen as the center of human personality. Under this conceptual model, human beings are instructed to take personal responsibility for their own behaviors, despite influences that periodically arise from internal and external pressures. As behavioral contracts are drawn up, agreed to, and acted upon, and/or the false and irrational content of self-destructive thinking is identified and replaced by truer, more rational, more meaningful content, there is considerable optimism that these interventions will lead to better emotional and spiritual adjustment, and more adaptive behaviors. • A large number of controlled empirical studies indicate that therapies built on this conceptual foundation can be surprisingly efficient, as well as effective over time.
• 5) Adams, Powlison (Nouthetic Pastoral/Biblical Counseling) -- Sustained influence is portrayed as “top-down." Psychological disorders are said to be the direct result of personal choices, personal sin. The effect of family/generational sin, or community/corporate sin on the individual is usually discounted or ignored. Subconscious influence is either denied or considered unimportant. • After spiritual conversion and commitment (required under this model), counseling is focused on the actions of the individual and is primarily "exhortational" in nature – the Greek verb “noutheteo” means “to admonish” or “to warn.” • Evidence of effectiveness is limited to anecdotes.
The Relationship of the Bible to Psychology – Four Classic Positions • Given how many different models of therapy there are to choose from, theorists and practitioners have tried to find the best and proper relationship between the Bible and therapeutic Psychology for the last 100 years. Four classic positions have emerged: • Two positions say the content and systems of thought should NOT be combined at all – but for very different reasons • Two positions say the content and systems of thought should be combined – but go about it in very different ways.
The Agnostic / Secular Position
• The Bible is not valued as a source of knowledge concerning human psychology. Academic psychologists and clinicians taking this point of view typically say they want a modern, "scientific” understanding of human disorders and needs, not a pre-scientific, superstitious one. Further, they frequently say that counselors trying to apply the biblical point of view import into therapy too much of what they see as the Bible’s archaic, ethnocentric point of view, including its “homophobia”, and "sexism." Further, they often see biblical counselors as frequently adopting a harsh, moralistic tone that is often self-righteous and counterproductive in therapy: “preaching is not helpful.”
Nouthetic Pastoral / Biblical Counseling Position
• In nouthetic pastoral/biblical counseling, secular psychology is not seen as a truthful or reliable source of knowledge concerning human beings. Secular psychology is said to be deeply rooted in anti-biblical, agnostic and/or neopagan concepts and applications. Nouthetic counselors intensely criticize secular psychology for presenting a false understanding of the true needs, nature, and destiny of human beings. Special revelation (the Bible) is seen as the “totally sufficient” resource for understanding psychological disorders and the subsequent application of therapy. Nouthetic pastoral counselors see psychological disorders as resulting almost entirely from personal sin. The impact of generational / family or community / corporate sin is minimized or ignored. Nouthetic counseling is mostly “exhortational” in nature – the Greek verb “noutheteo” means “to admonish” or “to warn.”
Eclectic / Integrationist Position
• Those taking the eclectic and integrationist points-of-view believe that both the Bible and secular Psychology contain valuable insights into the needs and nature of human beings. Eclectic / Integrationist psychologists believe that secular Psychology contains "a great body of truth.” They go on to explain: “we assume that both psychology and theology offer a great deal toward an understanding of the human race.” Psychology and biblical theology are both treated as open options for the purposes of understanding and treating of human beings. Clinicians and professors are encouraged to choose from either source those concepts or methods that appear to be most useful on a case-by-case, even day-to-day basis. The orientation is pragmatic; there is little concern about maintaining a structured or consistent point of view. The emphasis is on finding concepts and methods that appear to work well in the current situation. The non-systematic nature of this approach limits attempts at theological or empirical verification and hinders broad-based application.
Biblical Psychology – A Scientific and ScripturallyConsistent Approach
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Biblical Psychology starts from the Judeo-Christian / biblical understanding of human beings and Creation, and uses that understanding as the basis-ofevaluation (the “filter” or the “lens”) for the entire content of Psychology. Only those personality theories and therapeutic methods that are consistent with Scripture are harvested out of Psychology and employed. The chosen personality theories, methods of assessment, and therapeutic interventions must also receive consistent empirical support (meet all normal psychometric standards for reliability and validity, effectiveness and efficiency) to be accepted and applied. The goal is to produce a testable, empirically validated, clinically powerful psychology, built directly out of a biblical philosophy of mind.
Brain Research Supporting CBT: the importance of cognitive activity in the Pre-Frontal Cortex (PFC) • It is vital that the PFC be aware of and control the emotional / visceral impulses coming from the Limbic System • The P.E.T. scan on the left is from a normal control • The P.E.T. scan on the right is from notorious murderer, Antonio Bustamante • Note the lack of color (activity) at the top of the scan (the PFC) in brain of Bustamante From Adrian Raines’ book, The Anatomy of Violence: The Biological Roots of Crime (2013)
Photograph: Public domain
Brain Research: Important Channels to and from the PFC Channels between our visceral/passionate Limbic System and our aware/rational PFC: * The Insula, rich in mirror-neurons, helps make empathy possible, and provides us an awareness of relationships, interpersonal context, and culture. * The Orbital Frontal Cortex (OFC) allows us to self-limit our verbal and physical behaviors if we believe they would be hurtful or inappropriate. Injury to his section of the brain causes people to morally lose control of their own behavior. •
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The Ascending Cingulate Cortex (ACC) lights up when a person feels optimistic and hopeful. This is important in enduring toward positive, chosen goals. The PFC (right behind forehead) makes use of messages from all these channels in planning and fulfilling important tasks.
Photograph and graphics: © Rene Durban & Stephen Farra, 2014. All rights reserved.
Renewing the Mind through Cognitive Restructuring • Become more fully aware of what you are telling yourself • Examine the content of your self-talk, as to how adaptive and truthful your self-talk is or is not • When thought content is maladaptive and untruthful (it often is!), then systematically replace that content with more adaptive, more truthful self-talk • Allow someone you respect to help you monitor and adjust your self-talk • Over time, expect to think better, feel better, and perform better as you live your life. • This method is often best applied to bright, self-reflective introverts.
Renewing the Life through Behavioral Contracting • Accept the need for behavioral homework and personal behavioral accountability • Break down your positive goals into a small list (sequence) of “do-able” steps • Seek someone you respect to hold you accountable to follow through on your own action plan • Monitor progress, make adjustments, expect success! • This model is often best applied to energetic adolescents and gregarious extroverts.
Discussion and Implications (I): • These two specialized forms of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Cognitive Restructuring and Behavioral Contracting, are biblically consistent methods of therapy. Scripture speaks directly about each method: • 1. Cognitive Restructuring meditation on the best things and righteous goals, renewing the mind, bringing every thought and imagination into captivity and obedience, and • 2. Behavioral Contracting allowing oneself to be held behaviorally accountable on a daily basis (through mutual exhortation and a personal discipleship process) to accomplish chosen, biblically-consistent goals.
Discussion and Implications (II): • Biblically-consistent CBT is evidence-based, repeatedly showing itself to be efficient and effective for many emotional / mental disorders – in a large number of empirical studies (see textbook / reader for citations). • Therefore, we have called it Biblical Psychology – a model that leads us past “integration” to biblical consistency, and past therapeutic “anecdotes” to therapeutic evidence.
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