Chapter 8: Educating Within Christian and Secular Worldviews: Implications for Counselor Training

Graduate counseling programs in Western tertiary institutions frequently include a “tripartite” model of learning, focusing on academic, skills-based, and personal learning. This chapter considers a parallel model of three components to identity development in general and counselor formation in particular. From considering secular ideologies of counseling, it moves to a Christian worldview: the former focus more on individual autonomy, but do not generally consider issues related to meaning and hope. Whereas Christianity has recently had less public influence than in previous generations, the current review chapter recommends that a model of higher education that educates those counselors willing to be trained within a Christian worldview to be of great value in supporting the development of such trainee counseling students. This is because it is consistent with the tripartite principles through its emphasis on the three components of learning how to help others, developing a secure relationship with God, and engaging in humble self-reflection. It is also argued that the Christian worldview is more compatible with healthy functioning, both for the individual and within relationships, thus providing students with a source of meaning and hope in their lives.