Review of “Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy”
Liberty University
November 23, 2014
Summary
The article Use of Prayer and Scripture in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy by Siang-Yang Tan, published summer 2007 in the Journal of Psychology and Christianity details for the reader ways to integrate Christianity and scripture into traditional.
Tan (2007) begins with a brief historical overview of behavior therapy from the first generations to the current generation that includes Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy. With this, Tan (2007) segues in to the Zen Buddhism as well as other meditative religious or spiritual traditions which Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy is rooted. Leading the reader to the current developments of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with more explicitly religious or Christian oriented methods and approaches.
Tan (2007) outlines the appropriate and ethical use of prayer, scripture and/or the Bible as a biblical Christian approach to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that Tan himself has practiced for more than 25 years (Tan, 2007). Eight key features of Tan’s approach are listed including emphasizing agape love, focusing on faulty thoughts and behaviors that are outside Biblical teachings, as well as emphasizing the Holy Spirit’s ministry in bringing inner healing to the client (Tan, 2007).
Tan (2007) gives an in-depth description of his explicit integration intervention techniques of prayer, inner healing prayer and the use of scripture through the composite clinical example case of Jane, an Asian woman experiencing depression, fatigue and a distant relationship with God. Tan (2007) emphasizes the need for open discussions regarding the client’s religious and/or spiritual beliefs and background, the explicit use of spiritual resources such as prayer, scripture, and confession, and the client’s informed consent before proceeding with a Christian Cognitive Behavioral Therapy approach. All...