Chaplain certifcation 5

CHAPLAIN CERTIFICATION COURSEMODULE V

THE BASICS OFCHRISTIAN COUNSELING

PLEASE CLICK TO CONTINUEPresented by National Association of Christian Ministers

Presented by National Association of Christian Ministers

The Basics of Counseling for the Christian Chaplain.

This study guide contains the basic principles that a Chaplain will need to begincounseling people. First we will define the basics needed. Chaplains talk to many people as theyminister. People encounter various problems in life, some easily handled, others not so easilyhandled. When people are overwhelmed by problems, they seek help from someone they trust.Chaplains build bridges of friendship and trust, which open the door for ministry in times ofcrisis. The chaplain needs to be prepared to respond effectively.

You don't have to be a professional counselor to help someone, but you must recognizeyour limitations and stay within them. As a chaplain, you are a "pastoral counselor", a personwith a heart of compassion and a listening ear. If they trust you, they will allow you to ministerto them. Make the most of the opportunity and minister in Jesus' name.


The Basics of Counseling for the Christian Chaplain (cont.)

Here are some of the core competencies and qualities of the effective pastor/chaplain serving in the role of counselor:

• The chaplain brings his worldview, life experience, personal history, character, integrity,and beliefs about others into the sacred space of counseling.• Success rates in counseling hinge on the relationship that the Chaplain builds. If there is agood relationship between the counselor and the counselee; then there is a better chanceof a successful outcome.• The Chaplain must have a deep personal love of Jesus and dependence on the power ofthe Holy Spirit with an ability to practically apply Scripture and biblical principles.• An ability to listen to the counselee’s concern and at the same time listen to the HolySpirit is essential.• The successful Chaplain must have a genuine love for people.



• Chaplains accept people for who they are and where they are in life. The ability to focusattention on the counselee is paramount along with authenticity and just being real.• As a Chaplain you should have no hidden agendas.• You must be empathetic, compassionate and understanding.• You must accept and respect people’s feelings while sacrificing some of your personaltime to help others• A Chaplain needs the ability to see God’s potential in another and to maintain healthypersonal boundaries.• A Chaplain must be assertive at times while possessing the ability to challenge, confront,and offer corrective feedback in such a way that the counseled maintains his integrity.



The ability to maintain confidentiality is a top priority. You must understand that undercertain circumstances you cannot maintain confidentiality. As a Chaplain you must be aware ofother resources and networks offering help and cultivate relationships with these people. As aChaplain, we do not assume an authoritative position in the counseling relationship. We assumethe position of one who walks alongside and seek to bring about wholeness in Christ to thosewhom we minister.

A chaplain engages in two types of counseling, formal and informal. Formal counselingtakes place in an office or other controlled environment. Informal counseling takes place on thego, in the hall, in the work area, in a restaurant, wherever a person desires to discuss the problem.A chaplain will become engaged primarily in informal counseling.


Be sure the room is pleasant looking, feeling and smelling. First you should set-up theroom to resemble home as much as possible. This will help to put the counseled at ease. Placethe chairs at an angle so you face one another without objects obstructing your view or theclient’s path to the door. Notify your secretary to avoid interruptions during the session. Turn offyour cell phone! Be sure the door includes a window to prevent any question concerning yourprofessional relationship with a counselee. Set a definite day and time for your appointment.Begin and end the session as both agreed. Keep the session moving don’t allow yourself or thecounselee to wander. Be aware that pauses and silences by the counselee are normal andimportant. Let the counselee gather his/her thoughts and resume talking. Do not push the sessionany faster than the counselee desires to move. Let silence do its work! Allow the counselee toexpress his/her feelings. The better the counselee can express their feelings, the better the healingwill be. Do not panic if anger, tears or other strong emotions surface. Acknowledge the emotion,but allow the counselee to verbalize it. Always dress professionally, appropriately for thesituation. Be neat and clean.

Some basic characteristics of the Formal Counseling Session:


Be sure to sit or stand where direct eye contact will be maintained. Be patient, listen, andlet them talk. The more they talk the better for them. Respect a person's time. Do not impose. Letthem set the time limit. Let them leave when they need to. Let them decide whether to remain inthe current location or move to another place. Keep personal remarks to the minimum. You arethere to help them, not to meet your own personal needs. Respond normally to those who passby. Maintain eye contact with the counselee as much as possible and mental presence of thesubject matter. Respond to the counselee with head and face gestures and positive bodylanguage. Help the counselee to relax by being relaxed. Build and solidify a personal bridge oftrust. Carry a pad and pencil to record the counselee's requests for prayer and additionalassistance. Request permission of the counselee to record any notes related to the problemdiscussed. A small calendar for booking future counseling appointments is suggested. When thecounselee concludes his conversation, request permission to pray for him/her and conclude theinformal session. Sometimes the person will walk away without a word or asking for prayer.Remember, he/she is experiencing trauma.

Basic Characteristics of the Informal Counseling Session:


This section deals with a crucial part of the Chaplains duty to the counselee and tothemselves. A "critical incident" is a sudden death in the line of duty, serious injury from ashooting, a physical or psychological threat to the safety or well being of an individual orcommunity regardless of the type of incident. Moreover, a critical incident can involve anysituation or events faced by emergency or public safety personnel (responders) or individual thatcauses a distressing, dramatic or profound change or disruption in their physical (physiological)or psychological functioning. Clinically, traumatic events and their impact on individuals arefairly predictable.

Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD)


Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) (cont.)

When a person has been "exposed" to a critical incident, either briefly or longterm,this exposure can have a considerable impact on their global functioning. As Chaplain's wemust know what a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is. Debriefing is a technique toassist others in dealing with physical or psychological symptoms that are associated withexposure to trauma. Debriefing allows those involved with the incident to process the event andreflect on its impact. Ideally, debriefing can be conducted on or near the site of the event.Debriefing should be provided as soon as possible but typically no longer than the first 24 to 72hours after the critical event. Research has demonstrated that individuals who are provided CISDwithin a 24-72 hour period after the initial critical incident experience less short-term and longtermcrisis reactions or psychological trauma (Mitchell, 1988; Young, 1994).


Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) (cont.)

Chaplains, emergency service workers, rescue workers, police and fire personnel as well as thetrauma survivors themselves should be interviewed and debriefed as soon as possible. It isimportant to educate family members and close friends of the common reactions and signs ofstress when working with someone who has experienced a traumatic event. Family/friends thatare not traumatized often want to help but don’t know how to help. As a chaplain, if you givebasic information about trauma reactions and self-help techniques to family and friends, theyhave an opportunity to understand the emotional reactions that are experienced and possiblyimpacting their relationship with the victim. An acknowledgement and understanding of theseemotional reactions helps to shorten the recovery time and prevent complications through thenatural healing process.


Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) (cont.)Some of the things to look for:

• Sense that life is out of balance• Disbelief• Flashbacks• Sleep disturbance• Sadness• Diminished sexual drive• Minimization of the critical incident• Anger/irritability• Forgetfulness• Cold-like symptoms• Survivor guilt

• Increased substance use.• Social withdrawal• Emotional numbing• Feelings of being "Out of control"• Fears of "Going Crazy"• Loss of feeling secure in the world• Self doubt - as parent and provider• Omens• Mood swings - high and low• Fear



When counseling, seek to meet only real needs, not perceived needs. Do not build adependency on you but instead move them toward independence. Direct the counseled towardGod as the Ultimate Healer. Do not overstep your boundaries as a chaplain. Do not rely onpersonal funds unless you consider them as offerings or tithes. Use all available resources. Referindividuals as needed and refer with confidence.Important point to consider!

Contact your client(s) at these intervals: 6 days after the event, then at 6 weeks, and oncemore at 6 months after a critical incident/death/traumatic event. Chances are good that one ofthose times will be their hardest time after the event and will be the time they need you the most.


UPON COMPLETION OF THIS MODULEPLEASE FOLLOW THE PROVIDED LINK

TO CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT SESSION OF TRAINING.

There are two types of counseling mentioned. Please state them in your essay. What are the recommended intervals for contacting someone that you have counseled? Please reference in your essay.

Chaplain certifcation 5

Spiritual

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