“I need help,” a student worker confides. “I don’t know who to talk to.” Academic librarians may often find themselves in counseling situations. More importantly, they need to assure that the resources are available for supporting courses in counseling… or even for helping another student or faculty member who needs these kinds of materials. The short list of titles below may make a good start or a valuable addition to your library collection of counseling tools and classroom resources:
Benner, D. G. (2003). Strategic Pastoral Counseling: A Short-Term Structured Model. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. 2003
Brenner uses this book to assist the many pastors who spend hours counseling their parishioners each week even though they have no or little formal counseling training. Using a model that includes both psychology and pastoral counseling basics, Brenner helps the reader narrow the focus of each counseling session so that pastors can effectively and efficiently provide appropriate care for their congregation. Sample case studies are also included for both male and female situations.
Clinton, T. E., Ohlschlager, G. W., & American Association of Christian Counselors. (2002). Competent Christian Counseling. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press.
Under the umbrella of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), this book provides expertise from over 40 Christian professionals in a variety of subjects and areas using the Bible in a multitude of situations. It is a comprehensive source for pastors, lay leaders, and others who provide help and guidance for those in need.
Fitzpatrick, E. (2001). Idols of the Heart: Learning to Long for God Alone. Phillipsburg, N.J: P & R.
The author connects the relationship between the idols humans create, with the sins which often cause destructive behaviors in their lives. Fitzpatrick presents a biblical view of what idols of the heart are and how to deal with them.
MacDonald, J., Kellemen, R. W., & Viars, S. (2013). Christ-Centered Biblical Counseling: Changing Lives with God’s Changeless Truth. Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishers.
This comprehensive guide includes entries from such noted authors as James MacDonald, John Piper, Bob Kellerman, Deepak Reju, and many others. Using biblical truths in a variety of situations, the book presents the practical theology and methodology of biblical counseling. The authors explore a wide variety of subjects such as holiness, sin, hope, church health, the glory of God, and spiritual anatomy of the soul.
Sande, K. (2004). The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
Sande reminds his readers of the biblical mandate to be peacemakers and not creators of conflict in a world where it is a basic right to always have your own way. This book is a guidebook to biblical peacemaking, using Scripture as well as practical solutions to solving conflict in various situations.
Scott, S., & Lambert, H. (2012). Counseling the Hard Cases: True Stories Illustrating the Sufficiency of God’s Resources in Scripture. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic.
Scott and Lambert use true cases of ordinary people to illustrate the power of God’s Word as it is used in counseling situations to help those who suffer from postpartum depression, bi-polar disorder, dissociative identity disorder, sexual abuse, addiction, and more.
Welch, E. T. (2011). Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness. Greensboro, NC: New Growth Press.
Welch gives a compassionate understanding of the many complex layers of depression that effect believers all over the world. Using scripture to address such areas as fear, failure, anger, and hopelessness, Welch also includes chapters on medical treatments, expectations, and resources for friends and family of those suffering from depression.
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Jeannie Ferriss is the Library Director for the Ida Dockery Owen Library, Yellowstone Christian College. She holds an M.L.I.S. and Certification in Archives and Special Collections. Jeannie has received “The Warren Tracy Award” in 2013 for professionalism ,scholarship, and service from the University of Southern Mississippi School of Library and Information Science and “The Milstead Award” for meritorious service to the libraries of Wyoming from the Wyoming Library Association. She has been published in various venues.
