Based on the number of presentations (plenary and breakout), forgiveness (research and practice) is the hot topic. Seems everyon wants to talk about forgiveness. Probably a good idea because so much of counseling has to do with needing to forgive and be forgiven.
Two interesting points from last night’s plenary on couple therapy by Jen Ripley (Regent U.)
1. Couples who show adequate influence/acceptance have healthier marriages. When husbands indicate a willingness to be influenced by their wives feelings and opinions, couples do better. When husbands or wives are unwilling to accept the flaws of their spouse (e.g., their lateness habits), they remain perpetually unhappy leading to negative future prospects for the marriage.
2. Some of the domestic violence research suggests therapists need to differentiate between common couple violence and terrorism/control violence. The first is more treatable in counseling while the latter is not. The first has been observed in 20% of the couples in the prior year. This kind has no injury but there is mutual pushing and shoving. Both are bad, but the first kind may be addressed in couples counseling without increasing the danger.
Musings on Faith and Psychology 
I was wondering, what’s the word on the street in Christian counselling on spanking? It seems related, but I haven’t put much thought into the matter.
Not touched. Those who would favor it tend to write from the biblical counseling world. But even those don’t talk about it extensively. Some differ between healthy spanking and violence. Those in the professional know that even if they think it is okay in some instances that they shouldn’t support it as it would be akin to touching the third rail. There’s not much good research on the topic either and so many psychologist stick to speaking about what they can “prove.”
thought you reader (last comment) might be interested in these resources…..
1. Gospel Centered Parenting – http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=A1190-00-21
2. How to Raise a Pharisee – http://audio.gracechurch.org/sc/2006notes/How%20to%20Raise%20a%20Pharisee,%20Hardy.pdf
Here is what I think is “Hot in Christian Psychology.”
1. The gospel
2. The Doctrine of Harmitology.
3. The Doctrine of Sotierology.
4. The Doctrine of Anthropology.
Why do I think these are hot topics? Because they are MISSING in secular/licensed thereapy today.
Forgiveness has been hot for many years, but because of #1, #2, and #3. Why are we surprised (Romans 1:18-32)?
I have been lurking for a while, and wanted to post…. thank you for your grace and allowing me to post…
Derek, thanks for posting and not just lurking. Glad to have you here. While I agree with you in general, my post was about the CAPS conference I’m attending as I type. Frankly, there hasn’t been much direct focus on your 4 points. But, I agree that these should be hot topics. Especially #2. It hasn’t been much written about in either JPT or JPC (christian psychology journals).
Phil,
Thank you for your kind and gracious comments. Regarding #2, I “wonder” why that is that there has not been much talking or articles on it in those professions you mention. Personally, this is what grieves me about Christian psychology and psychaitry as the prodominately absence of these 4 topics I mention above. On our site, I recently uploaded some foundational documents to communicate the essentials (I call the 4 items essentials) in counseling. You can find them here: http://www.metronorthpca.org/MNCCResources.htm
Recently was taught that if you can get each partner to focus on loving, forgiveness and appreciation, marriage counseling will be much more successful.