Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations
1. Two Voices
2. Contemplative Prayer
3. On Being Human
4. How People Change
5. The Counselor's Presence
6. An Overview of Treatment
7. Therapeutic Tasks
8. Building a House
9. Captured by Love
References
Author Index
Subject Index
P. Gregg Blanton (EdD) is professor of psychology and human services at Montreat College. He is founder of the Center for Contemplation and Marriage and is in private practice in Asheville, North Carolina, where he provides counseling and supervises counselors-in-training. He is the author of Mind Over Marriage: Transforming Your Relationship Using Centering Prayer and Neuroscience.
"This book lays out the fascinating links between the tradition of
Christian contemplation, mindfulness, and the process of change in
psychotherapy. It puts all of these in the context of the vibrant
literature that makes up these three fields. Christians everywhere
will find it enthralling and practical."
*Sue Johnson, author of Created for Connection, developer of the
emotionally focused model of couple and family therapy*
"This book lays out the fascinating links between the tradition of
Christian contemplation, mindfulness, and the process of change in
psychotherapy. It puts all of these in the context of the vibrant
literature that makes up these three fields. Christians everywhere
will find it enthralling and practical."
*Sue Johnson, author of Created for Connection, developer of the
emotionally focused model of couple and family therapy*
"Brilliantly written, Contemplation and Counseling provides a
practical guide to integrating contemplative practices into
contemporary counseling drawing upon scientific research, clinician
theory, and spiritual understanding."
*Diane R. Gehart, professor and author, Mindfulness and Acceptance
in Couple and Family Therapy*
"Brilliantly written, Contemplation and Counseling provides a
practical guide to integrating contemplative practices into
contemporary counseling drawing upon scientific research, clinician
theory, and spiritual understanding."
*Diane R. Gehart, professor and author, Mindfulness and Acceptance
in Couple and Family Therapy*
"It is easy to be confused by the extravagant claims made for
mindfulness in the media today. Here is a wise and measured guide
to understanding the connections between the
Christian-contemplative tradition and clinical-mindfulness
practices. The book provides a rich survey of a wide range of
helpful contemplative sources. It is more than a mere survey of
practices and perspectives, it contains a clear invitation for
readers to draw close to God through contemplative prayer."
*James C. Wilhoit, professor of core studies and Scripture press
professor of Christian education, Wheaton College*
"It is easy to be confused by the extravagant claims made for
mindfulness in the media today. Here is a wise and measured guide
to understanding the connections between the
Christian-contemplative tradition and clinical-mindfulness
practices. The book provides a rich survey of a wide range of
helpful contemplative sources. It is more than a mere survey of
practices and perspectives, it contains a clear invitation for
readers to draw close to God through contemplative prayer."
*James C. Wilhoit, professor of core studies and Scripture press
professor of Christian education, Wheaton College*
"Gregg Blanton immerses us in a rich integration of the pattern of
contemplative prayer, the discoveries of relational neuroscience,
and the practice of psychotherapy. In lovely detail, he traces how
the attributes of the relationship with God that emerge in
centering prayer are identical to the attributes that help us be a
healing presence for our clients. While this is stated in Christian
terms, the process is applicable to anyone—both client and
therapist—who senses that spirituality and psychotherapy are
intertwined processes. In many ways, it is an invitation to clients
as well as therapists to open to the inherent healing wisdom within
and become mystics at the same time. This book is beautiful,
inspiring, thorough, wise, and filled with heart."
*Bonnie Badenoch, author of The Heart of Trauma: Healing the
Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships*
"Gregg Blanton immerses us in a rich integration of the pattern of
contemplative prayer, the discoveries of relational neuroscience,
and the practice of psychotherapy. In lovely detail, he traces how
the attributes of the relationship with God that emerge in
centering prayer are identical to the attributes that help us be a
healing presence for our clients. While this is stated in Christian
terms, the process is applicable to anyone—both client and
therapist—who senses that spirituality and psychotherapy are
intertwined processes. In many ways, it is an invitation to clients
as well as therapists to open to the inherent healing wisdom within
and become mystics at the same time. This book is beautiful,
inspiring, thorough, wise, and filled with heart."
*Bonnie Badenoch, author of The Heart of Trauma: Healing the
Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships*
"Gregg Blanton has provided a needed service to the integration
world. Contemplation and Counseling sheds light on how a
contemplative view of psychology and theology can enhance the
therapeutic process. His approach is practical and intervention
focused in nature and wisely underscores that contemplative prayer
has the potential of leading to deeper awareness of the power of
love through real relational connection with a present and
communicating God."
*Gary W. Moon, founding executive director of Martin Institute for
Christianity and Culture and Dallas Willard Center, Westmont
College, and the Renovaré Institute, author of Becoming Dallas
Willard*
"Gregg Blanton has provided a needed service to the integration
world. Contemplation and Counseling sheds light on how a
contemplative view of psychology and theology can enhance the
therapeutic process. His approach is practical and intervention
focused in nature and wisely underscores that contemplative prayer
has the potential of leading to deeper awareness of the power of
love through real relational connection with a present and
communicating God."
*Gary W. Moon, founding executive director of Martin Institute for
Christianity and Culture and Dallas Willard Center, Westmont
College, and the Renovaré Institute, author of Becoming Dallas
Willard*
"This is a must-read book for any Christian mental health
professional wanting to cultivate the practice of contemplative
prayer and to cultivate an experience of love in counseling.
Blanton courageously illustrates how love is at the center of the
contemplative counseling model that he is proposing, both as the
goal and as the means to achieve that aim. He creatively blends
findings from neuroscience and attachment science with a Christian
theology of love as an antidote to human stress and fear. His
contemplative-oriented style of counseling creatively weaves
interventions influenced by Carl Rogers, Sue Johnson, Dan Siegel,
and others together with interventions grounded in openness to
receive God's love. In this inspiring and motivating book, Blanton
presents a simple and accessible guide to centering prayer as a
practice that can be taught to clients but only after the
professional develops their own contemplative practice."
*Lorrie Brubacher, author of Stepping into Emotionally Focused
Couple Therapy, ICEEFT certified trainer in emotionally focused
therapy*
"This is a must-read book for any Christian mental health
professional wanting to cultivate the practice of contemplative
prayer and to cultivate an experience of love in counseling.
Blanton courageously illustrates how love is at the center of the
contemplative counseling model that he is proposing, both as the
goal and as the means to achieve that aim. He creatively blends
findings from neuroscience and attachment science with a Christian
theology of love as an antidote to human stress and fear. His
contemplative-oriented style of counseling creatively weaves
interventions influenced by Carl Rogers, Sue Johnson, Dan Siegel,
and others together with interventions grounded in openness to
receive God's love. In this inspiring and motivating book, Blanton
presents a simple and accessible guide to centering prayer as a
practice that can be taught to clients but only after the
professional develops their own contemplative practice."
*Lorrie Brubacher, author of Stepping into Emotionally Focused
Couple Therapy, ICEEFT certified trainer in emotionally focused
therapy*
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