Competent to Counsel

itself.

When confronting someone concerning such avoidance patterns, counselors must seek to correct such behavior for his benefit. They must point out the principles involved, give instruction in biblical responses, and help him to understand how these very patterns of avoidance played a part in getting him into trouble.

Besides inarticulate sobbing, she cried, “Leave me alone; leave me alone!”

As soon as the counselors began to put their finger on the real issue in Mary’s life (which turned out to be adultery with her next-door neighbor), Mary began to howl and cry and scream at the top of her lungs.

I’ll drown you out so that you’ll stop bothering me.”

Mary had been diagnosed by psychiatrists as a manic-depressive.

Contrary to much contemporary thought, it is not merciful to be nonjudgmental.

Would it be better to continue the rest of my life this way, or to go home and face the music?”

mental illness, but guilt, shame, and fear.

Over the years Steve gradually had developed an avoidance pattern to which he resorted in unpleasant and stressful situations.

mentally ill” are really people with unsolved personal problems.