CC703 Assignment 1: Abstract Writing of Counseling Books

This assignment, submitted to Trinity College of the Bible Theological Seminary, comprises abstracts of four books related to Christian counseling. The student, Carlos Augusto Caldas, analyzes each book by summarizing its key concepts, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and reflecting on its relevance to life, work, or ministry. The books covered include "The quick-reference guide to biblical counseling," "The popular encyclopedia of Christian counseling," "The complete adult psychotherapy treatment planner," and "The pastoral counseling treatment planner." Each abstract follows a specific format, beginning with the bibliographic citation and followed by a one-page, double-spaced summary. The assignment emphasizes the application of biblical references and counseling models, addressing topics such as domestic violence, eating disorders, and homosexuality, and exploring the practical implications for counselors and their personal development.

Assignment on abstract writing
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1
Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The quick-reference guide to biblical counseling. Baker
Books, 2009. The quick-reference guide to biblical counseling
Biblical references and counselling models made the book a recommended one for the
Christian counsellors and pastors. Theoretical considerations enhance the glory of the book in
terms of religion and culture.
The book is known for the provision of effective solutions for the complex issues of
domestic violence, eating disorders, abortion and others. Biblical texts are assistance for the
Christian counsellors, however, the book is known for the chapter on homosexuality.
Transparency in the projection of themes enhances the clarity of the counsellors regarding
execution of the tasks in an efficient and effective manner1. Along with this, this transparency
is also assistance for gaining clarity towards the reason for selecting this profession. The
book is an effective source, enhancing the awareness of the readers regarding the importance
of repentance in order to overcome the sins of envy, jealousy, adultery. In this transformation,
the main focus is on the need to recognize that he is a sinner and he needs to alter his
personality.
The book has enabled me to learn about the basic means of counselling others on
complex issues. Personally, I feel that the book is very useful for understanding the impact of
negative vibes on the personal development.
1 Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The quick-reference guide to biblical counseling. Baker Books,
2009.

2
Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The popular encyclopedia of Christian counseling: An
indispensable tool for helping people with their problems. Harvest House Publishers, 2011
Inclusion of 300 diverse topics enhances the fame and glory of the book. These topics
are adequate for enriching the skills, knowledge and expertise of the Christian counsellors
and pastors.
The chapter on theological foundations gains an important position, enabling the
counsellors to alter their perceptions on the sins of salvation, individuals’ doctrine and
doctrine of the the Holy spirit. Sound knowledge in this direction is assistance in terms of
making practical application of the learnt skills in conducting the operations. Limitations in
the characterization of lay counsellor is the greatest weakness of the book2.
According to the application of the text to my ministry, I can say that resistance
towards blocking the themes aggravates the complexities in counselling. After reading the
book, my perceptions of marriage have completely changed.
2 Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The popular encyclopedia of Christian counseling: An
indispensable tool for helping people with their problems. Harvest House Publishers, 2011.

3
Source 3: Jongsma Jr, Arthur E., L. Mark Peterson, and Timothy J. Bruce. The
complete adult psychotherapy treatment planner: includes DSM-5 updates. Vol. 296. John
Wiley & Sons, 2014
The book is a step wise guide for the counsellors regarding the preparation of the
treatment plans and therapies. The book is a recommended one, as there is no paperwork in
the planning process. The main focus is on the needs of the clients for which the goals are
developed.
The six step treatment planner is considered to the greatest strength of the book.
Clarity is maintained in revelation of the steps, which are problem, selection, problem
definition, goal development, objective construction and intervention creation3. Compliance
with these steps is assistance for the counsellors in terms of systematizing the tasks according
to the plans. Shallowness in addressing the themes is the weakness of the book.
In terms of my ministry, the book has assisted me to prepare the treatment planner
according to the requirements. Personally, the book has helped me to learn about the
performing the functions in a spreadsheet.
3 Jongsma Jr, Arthur E., L. Mark Peterson, and Timothy J. Bruce. The complete adult psychotherapy
treatment planner: includes DSM-5 updates. Vol. 296. John Wiley & Sons, 2014.

4
Kok, James R., and Arthur E. Jongsma. The pastoral counseling treatment planner. New
York: John Wiley, 1998.
The book is a guide for the pastoral counsellors in terms of helping them to excel in
their lives. One of the greatest strengths of the book is that it acts as a secondary source of
information for the non-Christian therapists serving the Christians.
Clear and precise format of the counselling plan provides an easy understanding to the
pastors and leaders in the Church. Deviation from the theme of spirituality is one of the
weaknesses of the book4.
In my ministry, the book plays an important role in altering my perceptions towards
making objective counselling plans. In case of personal life, I consider the book to be an
effective source towards gaining self-organizational skills.
4 Kok, James R., and Arthur E. Jongsma. The pastoral counseling treatment planner. New York: John
Wiley, 1998.

5
References
Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The quick-reference guide to biblical counseling. Baker
Books, 2009.
Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The popular encyclopedia of Christian counseling: An
indispensable tool for helping people with their problems. Harvest House Publishers, 2011.
Jongsma Jr, Arthur E., L. Mark Peterson, and Timothy J. Bruce. The complete adult
psychotherapy treatment planner: includes DSM-5 updates. Vol. 296. John Wiley & Sons,
2014.
Kok, James R., and Arthur E. Jongsma. The pastoral counseling treatment planner. New
York: John Wiley, 1998.