Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People Back on Track

by Charles Allen Kollar

Dr. Charles Kollar presents a departure in pastoral counseling, showing that counseling need not be long-term or depend on psychological manipulation to produce dramatic results. In most cases, the solution lies with the counselees themselves. Using the tested methods found in Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, pastors, apart from counselors, will be well equipped to help their counselees discover a solution and put it in motion speedily and productively.

SFPC is short-term—typically one to five sessions, in which the counselor seeks to create solutions with—not for—the counselee. The focus is on the possibility of life without the problem through an understanding of what is different when the problem does not occur or is less intrusive. The goal is healthy change, sooner rather than later, by helping the counselee see and work on the solution with God’s activity already present in his or her life.

The solution-focused approach does not require the counselor to be a highly trained psychological expert. It requires biblically based sensitivity and common sense. Yet this approach also recognizes its limitations and understands that there are situations in which other professional and/or medical help is required.

Hardcover

Published May 7, 2011

Reviews

[Jon Coupal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an ordained pastor and credentialed chaplain who often engages in Christian counseling, I revisit this book every few years to refresh myself. This is an excellent theoretical methodology that connects brief clinical counseling with the goals of pastors for the people of God.

[Michaela Causey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but didn’t agree with everything. However gave good and practical framework for moving a care seeker through counseling with 9 guiding assumptions (see page 91 & 85-86).

[shelby barnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good resource book.