Counseling and Psychotherapy with Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians

Book excerpt: The purpose of this book is to help mental health professionals increase their cultural competence to better serve Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians who are congregants in the world’s fastest-growing religious movement. My focus is twofold. First, I aim to increase the reader’s awareness and knowledge about Christians who live their faith within Pentecostal cultures. Second, I hope to increase the reader’s knowledge about the assessment and treatment of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians with mental health needs based on a review of research and recommendations from experienced clinicians. My approach to assessment and treatment is the commonly held view that best practices are holistic. Therefore, I will attempt to integrate Pentecostal and Charismatic spirituality with assessment and treatment in ways that respect the spirituality of the person seeking treatment and enhances therapeutic outcomes. “The first part of the book can help all readers…understand people who live into that religion. The second part of the book is a practical and insightful guide to effective helping for psychological difficulties. I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand and help Pentecostals and Charismatics.” —Everett L. Worthington, Jr., Commonwealth Professor Emeritus ***** “…a well written, comprehensive, and very helpful guide to understanding and counseling Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians. It is a substantial and unique contribution to Christian counseling and also to the field of counseling and psychotherapy. I highly recommend it as essential reading for everyone interested or involved in counseling Pentecostal and Charismatic Christians.” —Rev. Siang-Yang Tan, PhD, Senior Professor of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective, and Shepherding God’s People. a must read not only for Pentecostal and Charismatic counselors but for anyone in the mental health field.” —Tony Richie, D. Min., Ph. D., Associate Professor of Theology Pentecostal Theological Seminary, Cleveland, TN