2021 Professional Counsellors Network
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The European Professional Counsellors Network is for professional counsellors and professional counsellors in training. This Network is a unique gathering of people with a Kingdom calling to soul care—specifically the mental, emotional, and spiritual health of others. Our theoretical training may include cognitive, behavioral, attachment, relational, or family systems. It may be within Christian, non-Christian, or even anti-Christian contexts, whether in academic, clinical, residential, or social systems settings.
Our focus this year is on Being a Christian in Psychology. In what way does your personal walk with God affect your work? We will take the strength of this unique gathering to discuss becoming:
- Transformed people moving from knowledge to knowing;
- Professionals being securely loved, taking God’s presence with us, sanctifying our workspace, and preparation with prayer;
- Able at transferring healing into our theoretical framework and ethical practices.
The programme will feature lectures, small group discussions, presentations from colleagues, and case studies. Each lecture will be followed by a time of questions and answers. Case studies will also offer break-out groups to provide a more participatory style of learning.
Prior preparation will be set for all applicants.
Applicants should be professional or professional counsellors in training. This Network will examine the biblical framework for Christian counselling and will involve daily lectures as well as case study discussions.
Network Leadership
Network Speakers
Eric L. Johnson is professor of Christian Psychology at Houston Baptist University, serving in the Gideon Institute of Christian Psychology & Counseling. He taught psychology for 10 years at University of Northwestern and counseling for 17 years at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. In… Read more
Diane Langberg is globally recognized for her 47 years of clinical work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers on six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. She also directs her own counseling practice in Jenkintown, PA, Diane Langberg, Ph.D. & Associates,… Read more
Pablo was a European Leadership Forum Steering Committee member for more than 10 years. He currently works as a psychiatrist at a private practice in Barcelona. He has also developed an extensive itinerant ministry as a… Read more
Lori Pritchard is a therapist in individual, marital, and family counselling in the Chicago area. She works with clients who have little spiritual interest as well as those who pursue Christian counselling. She is also involved in prayer ministry and mentoring in areas of education, discipleship… Read more
Network Programme
Sunday, 16 May
This presentation will consider some of the necessary components of Christian counseling. Broadly, we need an understanding of who God is, what it means to be human, and how those two factors relate. We need a clear and deep understanding of evil and suffering, how they injure human beings, and what care for them and health truly look like. One of the foundational aspects of our study and our work should be that both the work of counseling and the person of the therapist are transformed. The character of the therapist matters profoundly. Knowledge, skill, and interventions are needed, but those necessary components must be present in one who bears a likeness to Christ. (Joint session with the Professional Counsellors Network)
In this session, Lori Pritchard will lead group discussion and reflection on the spiritual life of the professional counsellor.
Monday, 17 May
The character of the mind of our God should inform our thinking, our living, and our caregiving. The mind of our God came in the flesh so we could see and understand who he is and who he would have us be, first in our own hearts and lives, and second, as we enter into the lives of suffering humanity. Full of compassion, he bent down and walked at our pace. He became little. He slowed way down and sat with us in this “room” called earth. He became like us so we could become like him. (Joint session with the Professional Counsellors Network)
Christ’s earthly ministry of physical healing conveyed symbolically God’s intention to promote psychospiritual healing in the coming centuries through faith in him and his death and resurrection. Benefitting from modern research on psychological change, we will discuss the largely untapped therapeutic resources that Christian therapists can use with their Christian clients, and offer to anyt who are interested.
Tuesday, 18 May
How do we work with suffering, sin, evil, and darkness – dealing with all of these personally as well as in those who ask us for help – and not become utterly contaminated, looking for care in all the wrong places? We will consider ten characteristics of caregiving, how they can do damage to us, and what the antidotes of our Lord look like. (Joint session with the Professional Counsellors Network)
What are the best techniques in counselling? How can I learn the practice of therapeutic techniques? These are the most frequent questions asked by beginners. They are eager to learn counseling techniques. Nevertheless they soon discover that the most therapeutic tool is not a good technique, but a good relationship. Indeed, the client’s relationship to the counsellor contains the most powerful forces in the therapeutic process. Change always occurs in the context of a good interpersonal relationship. The techniques you use are of secondary importance compared to your personality and your capacity to be empathic and establish a warm relationship. Here lies the core of all therapy.
Wednesday, 19 May
This topic – not often discussed – is absolutely essential to our work and our lives. We are creatures capable of bearing an image. We are malleable – shaped by what we saturate in. We are shaped by our own histories. We are altered by the histories of those with whom we work. Our clients are shaped by our presence in their lives. Our lives need to be lived and continually changed by a growing understanding of the Cross which leads to worship, by living in the truth, ongoing study of God and of people, the discipline of prayer, and finally ongoing obedience to God as He teaches me, exposes me, and challenges me. We cannot bring life to others unless the light of life of Jesus Christ continually flows through our own lives. (Joint session with the Professional Counsellors Network)
Our Network speakers have a wealth of wisdom that goes beyond knowledge because they have lived the content and have mentored others in it. They have transferred it to practice and have challenged us to do the same. This session will highlight case studies by colleagues who have worked to incorporate content with practice. In discussion we will also consider content from this week’s Network speakers.