RUNNING HEADER: ADAMS, BACKUS & CHAPIAN

Theory Critique #2: Adams, Backus & Chapain Sherrita Hedgepeth (910) 232-3581 COUN 507-B03 Liberty University September 12th, 2012

ADAMS, BACKUS & CHAPIAN Theory Critique #3: Adams, Backus & Chapain Adams, J.E. (1986). How to help people change: The four-step Biblical process. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Backus, W. & Chapain, M. (2000). Telling yourself the truth. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House Publishing. . Summary of Content Christian counseling plays a vital role in the healing process for those in need. The counseling serves as a foundation and revelation within ones own interpersonal beliefs. The

counselee is placing his/her trust in the counselor to be able to guide them to a place of happiness and pass the trouble and worries that are affecting them. Counseling does not have to serve as a form of punishment for those in need but more of a support system and guidance to a place of happiness. Adams, Back & Chapain have well known books that all interact with each other. Adams How to Help People Change (1986) is a very spiritual book advising how people can change and how change comes by referencing scriptures. Adams believes that there can be a spiritual alteration with in ones own self. In Adams book How to Help People Change and William Backus & Marie Chapain book Telling Yourself the Truth both place emphasis on Scripture and the use of the Word of God. They believe that the scriptures and using the Word of God brings peace and wholeness to those looking for help from a Christian counselor. One important focus for Adams (1986) is transcultural in its teachings. He believes that it does not matter where you are from or where you live because most problems faced in todays world is universal. Adams wants people to understand that is you live by the rules of

ADAMS, BACKUS & CHAPIAN God and understand your purpose then a person will understand just how God would have each of us to live our lives. This is why Adams researched and provided four steps in the process of edification which include teaching, conviction, correction, and disciplined training (Adams, 1986). Backus and Chapain are firm believers that ones individual actions and responsibilities help to shape a persons thoughts and actions. They believe that a misbelief is a direct cause of emotional turmoil and mental behavior as most know this behavior to be known as a mental illness (Backus and Chapain, 2000 pg.17). One pointer made between the two is that people sometimes think the way that we want others to think in order to be accepted by peers or other groups.

It is true and very common that the way we feel about ourselves helps to motivate us and our desired to succeed or overcome obstacles. The mind is a strong part of a persons success and failure as it is normal for people to beat themselves up when something goes wrong. Having faith and believing in the right methods of success can take a person a long way in life. Evaluation of Strength and Weakness Adams approach to Christian counseling was a little different as he believes that you come closer to God by believing what is in your heart and being able to differentiate new perspectives to beliefs. He believes as we walk a closer path with God then our lives will be a lot easier. He talks about his four steps in his book which can help a person to effectively become educated and equipped with the knowledge and tools to walk that path with God and to be able to facilitate change. A weakness that I was able to determine in researching and reading on this topic is that not all people are the same. Some people are unable to handle the truth causing unwillingly

ADAMS, BACKUS & CHAPIAN convictions. When a person is faced with the truth it is very hard to believe that you are doing something wrong and are often more skeptical with challenging themselves with change. A

person can only change and be helped with that change, only if they have the desire to change. It needs to be something the person seeking counseling is open to and if they are not ready for change then there is no help as a counselor can offer. As to Backus and Chapain (2000) their focus was more around beliefs and how beliefs can affect our ways of life. It is a lot easier to point out the negative in a person or flaws then it is to adapt and receive the goodness in a person. Backus and Chapain want people to be able to turn negative thoughts into positive and motivate thoughts. They believe that no matter what the outcome or the mistake is you shouldnt be too hard on us. They believe you have to be able to accept the negative and turn it around to a positive aspect. Many people come from many different religions, cultures, and backgrounds and being able to identify with different beliefs and upbringings is very vital as a counselor. People seeking the help of a counselor should be open to broader thoughts and focus on ways to have a normal though process without beating yourself up to a point where there is no belief that change can happen. Everyone has a chance to better themselves and make the best out of life. Personal Reflection and Application There are many things in life that can affect a person and their belief and drive to move on. Related directly to my beliefs and religion, I found myself questioning God and his purpose for me in life. My grandmother passed away a couple of years ago and I did not think that it was her time. I continued to question God as to why he was punishing me and my family. My grandmother is the foundation of my family and without her I did not see many purposes to believe and move on. I was angry and didnt understand why this was happening and witnessed

ADAMS, BACKUS & CHAPIAN my grandmother hold on to life and live a little longer just for her to be taken away a couple of hours later.

Questioning Gods purpose was sinful and I had to find it in myself to believe in him and his purpose for my life as well as my grandmother. The thoughts that were going through my head that it should have been someone else that God took were sinful. I repented to the Lord and asked him for forgiveness and guidance to move forward with my purpose in life. It was relieving and settling to know that my grandmother was now in a place where she no longer had to hurt and be in so much mental and physical pain. God is good and was able to help me realize that is was my grandmothers time and she did what she was required to do by God and it was simply her time.

ADAMS, BACKUS & CHAPIAN References Adams, J.E. (1986). How to help people change: The four-step Biblical process. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. Backus, W. & Chapain, M. (2000). Telling yourself the truth. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House Publishing.