Dr. L. Crabb's Model of Counseling

Once a counselor understands the goal of counseling, the motivation, and needs of individuals and the basics of personality, Dr. Crabb’s model for counseling is exceedingly simple. The model is based on Romans 12:2, “do not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of the mind, that you may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” [KJV]. Well-prepared counselors can, with the help of the Holy Spirit move the person towards transformation. First, a counselor must identify the problem feelings. The client may state they are angry, depressed, afraid or a variety of emotions but according to Crabb the come down to one of three categories (1) guilt, due to an unreachable goal (2) resentment, due to an external obstacle (3) anxiety, due to fear of failure. Once the problem feelings are identified counselors should focus on identifying the goal-oriented (problem) behaviors. This is where the counselor can begin to help the client with the move-over goal. This step is simple obedience to God’s word. They may not feel like doing it but can began to act the way they want to feel. However, the work cannot stop here. The counselor must then help the client work on the inside to the beliefs and attitudes that have caused the wrong thinking and therefore problem behaviors.

Stage three of Crabb’s counseling model is identifying problem thinking. A wrong basic belief about their significance or their security has caused the problem feelings and behavior. It is only when the wrong thinking is identified that the tough work begins. Stage 4 is changing the assumptions or clarifying biblical thinking. It can be extremely difficult to change someone’s core belief system no matter how wrong it might be. Changing their belief system will not happen overnight but stage 5 can began once they understand the new belief. Stage 5 is securing the client’s commitment to act on the new belief. They must act as if it is already part of their belief system, even if they do not feel it. They must say, for example, “I choose to believe it and commit myself to acting consistently with it even though I do not feel like performing the necessary behavior” (p. 155). Stage 6 moves to client to the planning and carrying out the biblical behavior. The final stage comes when the client feels like something is wrong when they do not act according to the biblical belief system. Stage 7 is the identification of spirit-controlled feelings. “The development of an sense of quietness, togetherness, and peacefulness is a gratify and reassuring experience” (p. 159). It is at this final stage the client truly feels the Holy Spirit moving in their life. They have reached the move-up goal through hard work and transforming work of the Holy Spirit.