Curing the Heart: A Model for Biblical Counseling (Howard Eyrich)

Curing the Heart

A Model for Biblical Counseling

An ideal textbook for anyone involved or interested in Christian counselling. Both the authors teach the subject at a theological seminary in the States. Their influencers include Jay Adams, a leading Christian psychologist, and Francis Schaeffer.

Section 1 helps to make a case for a different style of counselling, based on the Bible and on Christian principles. Only a Biblical framework can explain the “why?” of human behavior. The approach is therefore holistic as it tackles the heart of the human problem – the problem of the human heart.

Section 2 gives background as well as practical guidelines to those interested in becoming Christian Counsellors.

Section 3 outlines the Counselling Process and give practical worksheets and guidelines for helping someone out of their situation.

This model of psychology is very much more prescriptive than anything in secular counselling, or in many Christian circles, but the authors are consistent in their approach and they have been teaching the material for many years. There are several useful appendices to aid the reader.

About the Authors

Howard Eyrich is Pastor of Counselling, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama

William Hines has taught at Le Tourneau University, Trinity Bible College and Seminary and the Master’s Divinity School. He is an ordained minister and board member for the International Association of Biblical Counselors.

Endorsements

“In Curing the Heart, Drs. Eyrich and Hines present a truly biblical model of counseling, and do so in a comprehensive, comprehensible manner. In the heritage of the great Puritan pastors, the authors equip readers to become skillful soul physicians who reconcile and guide believers toward growth in Christ. Focusing on the sufficiency and relevancy of God’s Word, Curing the Heart presents the Bible’s message about humanity in a living and dynamic way, and shows how to use the Bible to change hearts with God’s changeless truth.” — Robert W. Kellemen, Executive Director, Biblical Counseling Coalition, Lafayette, Indiana

“Much that passes for Christian Counselling today has sadly lost the proverbial plot! Curing the Heart provides a framework for counselling that is biblically based, multi-dimensional and wisely balanced. The authors offer a quite superb guide to dealing with the troubled heart.” — Liam Goligher, Senior Minister, Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

More Endorsements

“Biblical principles and practices are what we need for pastoral counseling. This book provides both in abundance. Standing firm for your counselee by giving hope. Giving next steps for change in helping. I recommend a careful read of this text for both new and experienced counselors. This is the new reformation from the inside out.” — Andrew J. Peterson, Vice-President for Global Outreach, Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon

“Dr. Howard Eyrich serves on the Pastoral Staff at Briarwood Presbyterian Church. He has not only developed, but put into practice, the model of Biblical Counseling which is developed for you in this book. Our Lord has used him successively to minister to many people in our congregation and community, to train others and to multiply biblical counseling through the transferable model that you will find on the following pages. The blessing of this ministry is evident, not only in the lives of the people that it touches, but also in the many lay people that he has trained to assist in the counseling ministry at Briarwood.” — Harry L. Reeder, Pastor of Preaching & Leadership, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, Alabama

Contents

Section One: The Need for a Biblical Approach

• What do the Heavens Declare?
• The Bible as the Voice of God
• Living and Dynamic
• The Bible as a Counsel
• An Approach that Targets the Heart

Section Two: The Need for a Biblical Counselor

• The Counselor as Theologian
• The Gifts of the Counselor
• Character of the Counselor

Section Three: A Model for the Counseling Process

• The Session Overview
• The Counseling Session as Relationship Building
• A) Building Involvement
• B) The Data Gathering Process
• C) Isolating the Problem
• D) Determining Direction
• E) Reframing the Problem
• F) Confronting the Counselee
• G) Giving Hope to the Counselee
• H) Gaining a Commitment from the Counselee
• I) Assigning Homework to the Counselee
• J) Evaluating the Counselee’s Homework