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Christian Counseling and Psychiatry: Some Suggestions for Christian Counselors on the Use of Psychiatric Medications

  • Journal of Counseling and Gospel
  • Abbr : Jocag
  • 2015, 23(1), pp.47-72
  • DOI : 10.17841/jocag.2015.23.1.47
  • Publisher : Korean Evangelical Counseling Society
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology > Pastoral Counseling
  • Received : April 16, 2015
  • Accepted : May 12, 2015

Kim, Jun 1

1총신대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Clients in counseling often consider taking psychiatric medication due to their severe conditions, and thus expect their counselors to provide some opinions regarding taking medication. This situation is not foreign to Christian counselors because Christians also experiencing suffering and pain, which likely cause them to turn to a medication option. This situation indicates that Christian counselors need to be ready to help their clients. The purpose of this study is to provide some suggestions regarding Christian counseling approach to psychiatric medication. To achieve this purpose, the article first provides a brief summary on the complexity of brain and how the psychiatric drugs work, which show the ambiguity of psychiatry in relation to its diagnosis and drug treatments. By providing some Christian positions on medication, the article tries to offer a balanced approach: accepting benefit of medication but being cautious on drug dependence. Following this approach, the article provides four suggestions: understanding strength of counseling, timely referral to a psychiatrist after initial meeting or before ending counseling, and Christian message on suffering. The article concludes by providing some practical suggestions for Christian counselors; they need to attend educational seminars on medication and supervision meetings directed by a psychiatrist or an expert.

Citation status

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