Cognitive Behavior Model with Biblical Foundations
CBT is, in short, about changing the way someone thinks and processes information in order to change their mood, perspective, and productivity. There are two main methods within CBT; exposure-based and skills-based interventions. Exposure is just that, exposing someone to a stimulus they find frightening or undesirable. Through repeated and progressive exposure those uncomfortable reactions can be modified and eventually tolerated or completely dismissed. Using the skills-based approach the mentee would learn relaxation, coping, and grounding strategies to help them calm their nervous systems when they are heightened.
CBT is a popular method to help individuals conquer fears, anxieties, and other mental health concerns because it uses common sense strategies, studies show it is highly effective, the strategies are easy to learn and repeat, and it is cost-effective.
CBT is a popular strategy used in biblical counseling and mentoring because “the emphasis CBT places on identifying faulty core beliefs and irrational thinking, confronting them with truth statements, and altering behavior by changing one’s thoughts” (Mehl, 2016) is inherently biblical.
An article posted by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors wrote, “Perhaps no other therapy approach so closely mirrors a biblical balance of cognitive and action orientation as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Even a superficial reading of the pastoral exhortations of the New Testament epistles yields a clear theme of obedience in actions and in thoughts as the way to maturity” (Mehl, 2016).
Even though Christian counseling and CBT are very similar, there is one main difference.
When a counselor uses CBT, they can only affirm whatever is helpful or feels good to the client. Whereas in biblical counseling or mentoring, we are affirming what is biblically true. Unfortunately, even though something may feel good, it doesn’t always mean it holds biblical truth. As mentors in faith, we are tasked with explaining the difference between what is socially acceptable and what is acceptable and good in God’s eyes. The benefit of biblical truth is that change occurs on a deeper level and brings us closer to our Creator. “Scripture teaches us that even if you have identified and addressed every [...]’ cognitive distortion, you are still not any closer to becoming who you were created to be in Christ” (Mehl, 2016). The main difference in CBT and biblical counseling or mentoring is the end goal. The end goal in CBT is to change one's behaviors and actions, whereas the end goal in biblical counseling or mentoring is to change one's heart posture toward Christ and His saving grace.
Scripture tells us that we will always have trials (John 16:33), we can expect life to be difficult more than it is simple. In 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” The word temptation can be better defined as a trial or being put to the test. Surely, most people in counseling are facing a trial of some sort, why else would they be there? With biblical consideration clients not only determine how to calm their nervous systems, but start to build trust in the Spirit’s ability to heal and restore their peace that goes beyond understanding (Philippians 4:5-7). Paul reminds us to rejoice in our trials because they “produce endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-5). So instead of washing away trials and hoping to never go through difficult times again, through biblical mentoring, we are learning to become stronger and more capable of leaning into Christ without fear of losing the battle or ourselves in the process.
So as we go on this journey of biblical counseling and mentorship, even though some tools from the cognitive behavioral model may be used, the end goal of bringing us closer to our Savior remains.
“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
