Transformative Encounters: The Intervention of God in Christian Counseling and Pastoral Care Paperback – July 12, 2013

I am glad to have purchased this book. I am in the process of becoming a certified Hospital Chaplain. The course is teaching us to use basic counseling techniques, which is good for getting to the core problem but I have found when individuals will allow Christian principals to also be used they can quickly find relief in many areas of their life. This book gives a look at what other Christian counselors are doing. I like getting insights from and learning. It helps me to know that other have found the intervention of the Christian God can bring a release from the bondage of shame many live in. This book contains chapters on about 20 different methods so they are only a synopsis. Just wish each went a little deeper.Last year I purchased "Shame in the Therapy Hour" edited by Ronda L. Dearing and June Price Tangney. I found it very informative. It also is a collection of counseling techniques used to identify shame and how secular therapy is used. Occasionally religion is mentioned, saying some people find it helpful.

An excellent book on pastoral counseling. I enjoyed the different approaches/emphases of the various contributors. There were many particular “take always” for my ministry. Worth the read!

Excellent...love this book...great descriptions of individual types of inner healing ministries. Especially loved Mark Sandford's explanation of Elijah House. A GREAT Work by Dr. Appleby.

Too black and white, no real theological depth or reflection. A lot of proof texting, and not very good at that either. For texts like these mature theological,reflection and training is imperative.

This book is extremely helpful for anyone who is ministry-minded. I have been familiar with the deliverance ministry for a few years, but this book provides information and practices that are used by other people/organizations that lead to similar results that deliverance ministries seek to accomplish [real freedom for their clients]. The chapter on Inner Healing was insanely helpful, however every chapter is quite helpful if you are involved in any sort of counseling ministry, or even in a discipleship group setting or small group.As far as the 1-Star review... Honestly, I advise ignoring it. The only books that I"m familiar with that avoid proof-texting are commentaries, journals, etc etc. Nothing is inherently wrong with proof-texting as long as we're not leading people astray. Sure, proof-texting can stroke selected passages with a broader cultural brush, but I can quote John 3:16 as a stand-alone passage and no one bats an eye (nor should they -- it says what it means, and means what it says). This book wasn't written as an expository defense or explanation of the various ministries and methods contained within it, rather it is an overview of each one. That said, while I respect the reviewers opinions, I advise ignoring the 1-Star review on the basis that his expectations weren't met simply because they were unfounded to begin with.