The Basics of Biblical Counseling - Biblicalcounselingonline.org

The Use of Audio Resources in Counseling
by Jim Newheiser
How often has acounselee begun a session by saying, I mreallysorry that I didn t read my homework
assignment, Pastor. I really meant to, but didn thave time this week. You see, I mnot much of a reader.
As our TV/video/internet generation becomes less and less literate, counselors will be hearing more of this
excuse. Most pastors and counselors are avid readers and may tend to overestimate what others can handle.
While there are certainly benefits to teaching a counselee to be self-disciplined and to appreciate great
books, these may not be the fundamental issues to be addressed. In my counseling ministry, I have found
audios such as CDs and mp3s to be very effective homework assignments.
The Benefits of Using Audio Resources:
1. Audios Get Used. I have found a much higher percentage of listening assignments get done, as
opposed to reading assignments. Many counselees who do not have the discipline to sit down and read
abook (or even a pamphlet) are quite happy to listen to a CD. Here in Southern California most people
spend a large percentage of their time on the road. Few drive without some sort of audio playing. Once
aCD gets into their car, I have found that some counselees will listen to the same message again and
again. Others, such as homemakers and those who do manual labor, are able to listen while they work.
Better to hear the Word proclaimed, than listening to three more hours of Rush Limbaugh!
2. Audios Benefit People with Particular Learning Styles. When homeschooling our children, we
noticed that each of our sons had adifferent way of understanding material. One was able to retain what
he read while another best remembered what he had heard. Many of your counselees will be auditory
learners.
3. Audios Save Time in Counseling Sessions. Biblical counseling involves the same kind of instruction
from the Word as preaching. Your limited time with the counselee can be used more effectively if on his
own time he can listen to an mp3 containing your best instruction in a particular area. Then the session
can be spent applying what he has heard to his particular situation and answering questions he may have.
How to Get Started Using Audios:
1. Build a Library of Audios Which Deal with the Most Common Counseling Problems. In my
counseling box Icarry approximately 100 CDs onvarious topics and texts. Most of the audios are
from my preaching ministry in our local church. A benefit of using your own CDs is that you are
thoroughly familiar with their content. Also, you addressthe issue in the sermoninmuchthe same way
that you would inaprivate counseling session. If you haven tpreached on some commoncounseling
subjects, this may help motivate you to address issues that would benefit many members in your
congregation I found that preaching through the Sermon on the Mount was tremendously beneficial for
building up my libraryof counseling audios. Of course, it is also of great benefit to collect sermonsfrom
eminently gifted preachers and counselors to deal with particular subjects. The internet has made this
very possible, and many times popular speakers will do conferences on the material found in their books
and then post the audio on the web for free. The IBCD website has many counseling messages that you
can download for free.
2. Prepare Homework Assignments to Go Along with the Audio. It is not enoughmerely to get a
counselee to listen to an mp3. Homework must be given so that the counselor can ensure that the
purpose for the achievement has been achieved. I usually pass out study outlines along with the CD. In
addition I am working at preparing a printed list of questions to go with each audio. At a minimum, the
Tape Listening Assignment Questionnaire could be given from Wayne Mack s A Homework Manual
for Biblical Counseling (volume 1, page 173).
Conclusion: While audios are not a substitute for face-to-face counseling or being under the ministry of the
Word, they can be a tremendous supplement. Before you give up on counselees who don tdo their reading
assignments, try giving them some CDs to see if the Lord might use this means to apply His powerful and
sufficient Word to their needs.
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