Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide

by Gary R. Collins

The classic counseling handbook for churches, classrooms, and the helping professions. This revised and expanded third edition of Gary R. Collins's comprehensive counseling guide offers solid biblical teaching on how to counsel and wise guidance on a broad range of situations counselors are likely to encounter. Christian Counseling provides updated, extensive coverage of the most common issues troubling those who seek counseling, such as Clearly written and easy-to-read, Christian Counseling provides lasting value as a textbook for students and their professors, a training tool for lay counselors, a source of information for those seeking a greater understanding of human behavior, and a primer on the biblical foundation for Christian counseling.

Genres: Counselling, Christian, Psychology, Reference, Christianity, Nonfiction, Lifestyle

976 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Gary Red Collins

Reviews

[Rock Rockwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book back in Bible College and it was known then as "The Big Yellow Book" on Counseling. Each chapter deals with separate issues, so if you know ahead of time the subject you're dealing with in counseling, you can read and plan ahead. Some points are arguable and subjective, but it is a good resource for people who need an "all-in-one" book to guide them in counseling. However, I prefer the Bible, but a man of many cousnselors is considred wise - this book gives good perspectives from another man's training and wisdom. Worthy for the counseling shelf.

[Daniel Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this greatly. Perhaps because I read it directly after reading another which treated problems such as depression as a sin problem. I'm sorry, I'm not into that. This was very refreshing to read afterwards. It was very balanced and well-measured, but then it was merely a basic overview. An entire book could be written off of each of its chapters.

[Steven H · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FAMED PSYCHOLOGIST'S OVERVIEW OF COUNSELING

Gary R. Collins is a licensed clinical psychologist who has written books such as 'Christian Counseling' and 'The Christian Psychology of Paul Tournier.'

He explained about this 1980 book, "[The book] was prepared to assist Christian leaders in their day-to-day counseling ministry. The first four chapters ... are designed to give an overview of counseling... The remaining twenty-seven chapters deal with specific problems... Each chapter gives several perspectives on the problem being considered: what the Bible says about the problem, its causes, its effects, counseling techniques, and ways in which the problem can be prevented. This provides background information for individual counseling." (Pg. 9)

He observes, "some writers... conclude that a Bible is all that a Christian people-helper needs to assist others. Jay Adams [Competent to Counsel, Christian Counselor's Manual], for example, argues that psychiatrists ... have usurped the work of preachers... Clearly this influential writer sees little hope that psychology... will be able to help the church leader to counsel more effectively. But was the Bible really written as a textbook on counseling? It deals with loneliness, discouragement, marriage problems, grief, parent-child relations, anger, fear, and a host of other counseling situations... but it does not claim to be ... God's sole revelation about people-helping... Why ... should psychology be singled out as the one field that has nothing to contribute to the work of the counselor?" (Pg. 18-19)

He suggests, "Evangelism and discipleship, therefore, are the Christian counselor's 'ultimate overarching' goals, but they are not the only goals." (Pg. 23) He notes that "Guilt has been described as the place where religion and psychology more often meet." (Pg. 116)

Collins's book will be of great interest to anyone looking for "positive" approaches to integrating Christianity and counseling.

[Luminescence Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary R. Collins’ Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide is invaluable for anyone interested in integrating Christian principles with counselling techniques. This edition thoroughly examines the intersection between faith and therapy, covering a broad spectrum of topics, from psychological theories to practical counselling strategies within a Christian framework.

Suitable for Studying:
This book is highly recommended for students, practitioners, and anyone involved in Christian counselling. Collins’s approach combines solid psychological theory with practical applications, making complex concepts accessible and relevant. The well-organized text provides a step-by-step guide to understanding and applying Christian counselling principles. It’s an excellent resource for those looking to deepen their knowledge and enhance their counselling skills through a faith-based perspective.

Inspiration for Writing a Fantasy Novel:
Interestingly, Christian Counseling can also inspire fantasy writers. The principles of human psychology and the exploration of moral and ethical dilemmas discussed in the book can be creatively adapted to fantasy. Themes such as redemption, conflict resolution, and personal transformation can enrich fantasy narratives and character development. Writers can draw on these insights to craft compelling stories with complex characters facing moral and emotional challenges in their fictional worlds.

[Jenna Hardister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for school (when am I not) but I really enjoyed it truly. I think that anyone in ministry should read this because it touched on SO many issues that are becoming more relevant and prevalent today. It walked through so many different approaches and ways to handle situations from children all the way through death, how to walk through these and how to help navigate others through them. I will definitely use this throughout my life!

[Joseph Mundo · Rating 4 out of 5]

To me, this book is the cleanest, no-nonsense foundation of the whole program. It gives structure without pushing psychological fluff, and it stays close enough to Scripture that I can use it without feeling like I’m bending the Bible to modern trends. It’s practical, organized, and easy to apply in real ministry.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book as the text for a Biblical Counseling class I was teaching. This book is such a great resource for ALL ministry leaders. As shepherds, disciple makers, and church leaders, we all need these skills and this text gives a solid why and how. I give it 4 stars instead of 5 only because it’s in desperate need of an update.

[Adella · Rating 5 out of 5]

good

[Eric Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the longest book I’ve ever read.
Worth the time.
How I interact with people facing real life situations is crucial to the impact of my ministry.

[Caroline Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this (all 850 pages!) for a counseling class. It is more of a reference book than an in depth counseling text book. I can see turning to different topics as needed in my private practice.

[Brittany]

Recommended from den sem

[Morena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally recommend this to students and anyone who is interested in Counselling.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very in depth a a great resource

[Nhlayiso Mukgabukgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Blenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's definitely a good reference, but I prefer lots more stories and personal anecdotes, so, I can only give 3 stars.

[Chris Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I will continue to use this as a valuable resource throughout ministry. I've already recommended it and shared with others in ministry.

[S. Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a ready great book. My first year at Trinity International University Christian Counseling was one of my required text books for my psychology class.

[Ernie Durham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good primer for the basic principles and beyond of Counseling and restorative care.

[Beulah]

Good book

[Nithya Vong]

Want to know counseling