COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY FOR CLIENTS WHO ARE MAD AT GOD
Therapists often have to walk a fine line when working with clients whose presenting concerns or underlying issues involve matters of religious or spiritual anger. The client’s history in these areas can be laden with issues of grief, loss, blame, fear, doubt, and pain, leading to situational depression and anxiety. The delicate issues of spirituality, religion or faith can be very personal; and for many clients, the notion of anger at a Transcendent Being is loaded with taboo, guilt, and shame.
This presentation uses a model developed by Baylor University researchers Paul Froese and Christopher Bader (2015) and their comprehensive survey of Americans’ religious beliefs. The workshop explores what happens when dissonance exists between a client’s experience and their expectations, often bringing up questions of justice and forgiveness, especially when trauma is involved.
The therapist must have the self-awareness of their own history and personal beliefs to join the client in the therapeutic process without crossing boundaries or denying their own possible counter-transference. This presentation is designed to help therapists address the sensitive issues of religious anger in an ethical and supportive manner using Cognitive-Behavioral interventions to assist the client in determining and meeting their goals. The workshop approaches this topic as a matter of cultural sensitivity and cultural competence. Therapists will learn how to effectively explore the central concerns and relevant history of a client’s spiritual or religious doubt, fear, and pain. The goal is to help clinicians improve treatment outcomes when working with clients whose anger is related to issues of faith.
CONTINUING EDUCATION HOURS:
6 contact hours (5 CORE and 1 Ethics) of continuing education have been approved by the Licensed Professional Counselors Association of Georgia (LPCA CE Approval #8788-20AW )
Course Curriculum
Dr. LaVerne Collins, NCC, LPC, LCMHC
Your Instructor
LaVerne Collins is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, and Certified Professional Clinical Supervisor with 20 years of experience as a National Certified Counselor. LaVerne earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University. She has her M.S. Ed. In Community Counseling from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and PhD in Christian Counseling at South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. In addition to being a Licensed Professional Counselor, LaVerne is an ordained Protestant minister. She has worked in public, private and parish settings in the roles of counselor, clinical trainer, clinical supervisor and executive director for mental health and substance abuse programs. In her practice, she uses her clinical and religious training to help clients develop whole-life (bio-psycho-social-spiritual) responses to the problems they face.
LaVerne is a trainer, speaker, and author. Her publications include numerous cover feature articles for Counselor Magazine; a published textbook chapter on Clinical Assessment in P. Ruiz & E.C. Strain (Eds) Lowinson & Ruiz’s Substance Abuse: A comprehensive textbook; and her own book, “The Fruit of Your Pain: Experiencing Spiritual Renewal through Seasons of Struggle."
Improve treatment outcomes when working with clients whose anger is related to spiritual or religious issues.
Effectively explore the central concerns and relevant history of spiritual or religious doubt, fear and pain.
