Cognitive behavioural therapy
a form of psychotherapy that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, primarily depression, and disorders such as PTSD and anxiety disorders.
A Biblical Approach to CBT. Tan (1987, pp. 108–109) has noted that a biblical or Christian approach to CBT or CT will do these things:
1. Emphasize the primacy of agape love (1 Cor. 13) and the need to develop a warm, empathic, and genuine relationship with the client.
2. Deal more adequately with the past, especially unresolved developmental issues or childhood traumas, and use inner healing or healing of memories judiciously and appropriately.
3. Pay attention to the meaning of spiritual, experiential, and even mystical aspects of life and faith, according to God’s wisdom as revealed in Scriptures and by the Holy Spirit’s teaching ministry (Jn. 14:26). It will not overemphasize the rational, thinking dimension, although biblical, propositional truth will be given its rightful place of importance. The possibility of demonic involvement in some cases will be seriously considered and appropriately dealt with.
4. Focus on how problems in thought and behavior may often (not always, because of other factors, e.g., organic or biological) underlie problem feelings (Rom. 12:1–2; Eph. 4:22–24; Phil. 4:8), and use biblical truth (Jn. 8:32), not relativistic, empirically oriented values in conducting cognitive restructuring and behavioral change interventions.
5. Emphasize the Holy Spirit’s ministry in bringing about inner healing as well as cognitive, behavioral, and emotional change. It will use prayer and affirmation of God’s Word in facilitating dependence on the Lord to produce deep and lasting personality change and will be cautious not to inadvertently encourage sinful self-sufficiency.
6. Pay more attention to larger contextual factors like familial, societal, religious, and cultural influences and therefore utilize appropriate community resources in therapeutic intervention, including the church as a body of believers.
7. Use only those techniques that are consistent with biblical truth and not simplistically use whatever techniques seem to work.
8. Utilize rigorous outcome research methodology before making definitive statements about the superiority of cognitive-behavior therapy.
Conclusion. Standard CT or CBT is one of the most empirically supported treatments for a wide range of problems and disorders (Butler, Chapman, Forman, & Beck, 2006; Tan, 2011). Christian CT or CBT has recently received more empirical support for its efficacy. Based on 18 randomized clinical trials of spiritually oriented v, Christian CT, or CBT for depression was found to be an empirically supported treatment that is efficacious, and Christian devotional meditation for anxiety and Christian group CBT for marital discord to be possibly efficacious (Hook et al., 2010).
Siang-Yang Tan
The Popular Encyclopedia of Christian Counseling, General Editors: Dr. Tim Clinton & Dr Ron Hawkins


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