The Psychopathology and Spiritual Conflicts Course is designed to provide the Christian counsellor with a bio-psycho-social-spiritual understanding of abnormal behaviour.
It will introduce the student-counsellor to the theory and theology of spiritual conflicts and the related concepts
and provide an understanding of the different mental disorders.
Christian counsellors will be equipped with the necessary skills to differentiate, make provisional assessments, and make appropriate referrals. They will be able to come alongside people with mental disorders and/or spiritual conflicts with supportive caregiving and will be able to counsel within the boundaries of their training.
* Pastoral and Lay Christian Counsellors should not attempt to diagnose or treat serious psychological disorders, but they need to have enough knowledge to be able to recognize and understand mental disorders so that they can …
– effectively come alongside, counsel, support, and provide compassionate care
– refer counsellees to professional caregivers when applicable.

Course Outcomes – On completion of this Course, you should be able to:

  1. Describe and compare the theory and theology of spiritual conflicts and the related concepts (spiritual warfare,
    exorcisms, deliverance ministry, the breaking down of strongholds, blood curses, generational bondages, and
    spiritual healings)
  2. Deduce a pneumatological understanding of these spiritual conflicts that is biblically based, Christ centred, Spirit led, and psychologically sound
  3. Differentiate between psychopathology and demonization
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of what causes psychopathology (etiology)
  5. Recognise psychopathology and demonstrate knowledge of when to refer to medical and/or mental health professionals, and/or professional pastoral counsellors
  6. Recognise, distinguish and demonstrate an understanding of the different psychological disorders
  7. Counsel people with anxiety, depression, anger and guilt from a Christian counselling perspective within the limitations of their training
  8. Minister to people with psychological, emotional, personal and interpersonal problems.