[.ca] Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide (ISBN 1418503290)

The best single volume on counseling:
My edition is from 1980, but what Collins says in these pages is timeless. He deals with so many different kinds of issues, from personal issues to single/marriage issues and even sex. I certainly don't claim to be a psychologist or counselor, but this book has been a helpful tool to use for reference on a number of issues as I have lived my life and for friends who have been going through a variety of issues. I recommend this for the average Christian layperson.

The ONLY Valid Counseling:
Secular readers won't understand or accept this book. That's a shame. There are no earthly psychologists, only God knows our minds. The shambles of the earthly worldview-based counseling is responsible for causing far more harm than good by instilling a sense of victimhood. This book targets the heart, not the mind, and doesn't rely on feelings but a strong sense of what is absolutetly right and absolutely wrong.

Excellent Reference for the Professional and Layperson!:
Collins has written an excellent that is useful for both the professional (pastor, counselor, church staff, etc.) or layperson. The author discusses counseling in 6 major areas: 1. Personal - anxiety, loneliness, depression, anger, guilt. 2. Developmental - child rearing, development from adolescence to the later years. 3. Interpersonal - sex, homosexuality, violence and abuse. 4. Identity - inferiority, self-esteem, grief, singleness, choosing a spouse. 5. Family - premarital counseling, marital problems, pregnancy, divorce, remarriage. 6. Other - vocational, mental disorders, alcoholism, addictions, spiritual issues. Collins addresses these areas based on his extensive Bible knowledge and counseling experience. Periodically I have referred to the book and have benefitted from its insights. Read, be encouraged, and encourage others with what you learn from reading this title! Highly recommended!

Excellent Reference for the Professional and Layperson!:
Collins has written an excellent and comprehensive book concerning a wide variety of everyday issues. The book is organized into 7 main issue areas: 1. Personal (anxiety, loneliness, depression, anger, guilt). 2. Developmental (child rearing, adolescence through the later years). 3. Interpersonal (sex, homosexuality, violence and abuse, relationships). 4. Identity (inferiority, self-esteem, physical illness, grief, singleness, choosing a marriage partner). 5. Family (premarital counseling, marital problems, pregnancy, divorce and remarriage). 6. Other Issues (mental disorders, alcoholism, addictions, financial counseling, vocational counseling). 7. Concluding Issues (spiritual issues, counseling the counselor). Periodically over the years I have referred to the book and the content seems to be solid and biblical. Whether a pastor, church staff person, professional counselor, or layperson, you will benefit from the wise counsel from an author with extensive counseling experience and a solid biblical background. Read, enjoy, be encouraged, and use what you learn to encourage others!

As long as you understand the author's background...:
Generally a very good book. The theological orientation is a bit "low church" (a perception doubtless colored by my own Catholicism) and the chapter on homosexuality is of dubious validity in its claims of the origins of homosexuality (its perspectives are determined more by wishful thinking than by clinical research). Still, it's an interesting overview of issues in pastoral counseling. Not for those without at least some training in counseling issues, but for those who feel that counseling has an imperative to have a spiritual basis, this is a good resource.