Attendees were very satisfied with the professionalism of its staff and the amenities the hotel had to offer. It was an excellent facility for a conference, and the Chicago Marriott O=Hare promises to deliver the same.

Last year=s conference enabled the NACBT to acquire many new members due to conference advertising to non-members. We anticipate the same will occur this year, which will help to build a larger, stronger Association.

AFrom the President

However, it occurs to me that therapists= zeal for learning techniques have made many ATechnique Rich, but Theory Poor.

The more they emphasize learning techniques at the expense of theory, the more they become highly educated Apop psychologists. Theory, philosophy, and research findings help the effective CBT=er determine the appropriateness of a particular technique.

Most established psychotherapy approaches have a theory on which the therapy is based. Some therapeutic approaches have a much more complicated theory (i.e., psychoanalysis) than do the cognitive approaches. But in my opinion, CBT=s greatest asset is its philosophy- its recommended approach to living life in the most rewarding manner possible B the rational way! This is precisely why I named my approach Rational Living Therapy, because in the course of learning how to resolve their specific problems, clients learn a better, more personally effective way to approach life.

It is a well established fact that folks wanting to lose weight, and more importantly, keep it off, must change their orientation to food and eating. They are much more likely to keep the weight off when they see themselves making a life-long philosophical change toward food rather than merely going Aon a diet. It makes sense to apply these findings to therapy in general. By learning the philosophy and theory of CBT, clients are able to generalize their use of the techniques they learn to many situations, including those that had nothing to do with what they dealt with in therapy.

I am happy that we can present to you in this issue Dr. Jim Perryman=s article, ACognitive Christian Counseling is Not and Oxymoron. As Dr. Perryman so skillfully presents, the Bible is replete with suggestions for living that are consistent with cognitive-behavioral theory and philosophy. One need not be a Christian or believer in God to benefit from the time-tested teachings of the Bible. And one need not believe that Jesus is the son of God (or anyone special, for that matter) to benefit from the question, AWhat would Jesus Do? For if we love our neighbors (and our enemies), resist the temptation of Asinful acts (most of which would cause us some degree of personal discomfort in the long run), and follow the Ten Commandments simply as a blueprint for living without the desire to please God, we will have greater peace of mind and will be in a better position to achieve our goals.

Cognitive counseling has come a long way toward acceptance by those who are Christians since its formal introduction in the 60's. As the son of a minister and one who respects the Christian philosophy, I still remember the repulse I felt as I read the outline of RET from W. S. Saliakfan in his book Psychotherapy and Counseling. There was a lot of good in the outline as he described Ellis philosophy, but I failed to see it because the parts that I remember, I rejected the most. In expounding the Amain theme  of RET he wrote, AMan, you are free, define yourself. Your own experience is the highest authority. There is no truth except in action. In choosing yourself, you choose man.  As he explained the Amajor illogical ideas   of man as taught by Ellis he wrote, ACertain acts are wrong, or wicked, or villainous, and that people who perform such acts should be severely punished. One needs something other or stronger or greater than oneself on which to rely.  It was a long while after this before I read anything that was written by Ellis. I rejected the philosophy of cognitive counseling at that time based on these statements.

Several years later in a workshop given by Dr. Maxie Maultsby he stated AWhen I read Reason and Emotion by Albert Ellis I thought that it was the best book on counseling that I had ever read. At that point I was just about to place Maultsby in the same category that I already had reserved for Ellis. Then I heard him quote a scripture verse. AWhat a contradiction , I thought. My curiosity was heightened and I began to search for more information.

In cognitive therapy Awords play a vital part. As Dr. Maultsby has so rightly put it, AIt is not just semantics, it is ALL semantics. One of the very basic principles of the Christian life is found in Mark 12:30, AAnd thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. Notice that all these references are to the inner most being of the individual. He is speaking of the seat of all emotions, striving, thinking, and power. There is a great deal of emphasis on words in the Bible:

Ps. 119:11 AThy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee

Hebrews 4:12 A. . . Sharper than any two-edged sword

Eph. 4:32 AAnd be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, . . . . . .

Ec. 10.12 AThe words of a wise man=s are GRACIOUS; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Ps. 16:24 APLEASANT words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Ps. 119:103 A How sweet thy words to my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Ps. 19:14 A Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

James 3:6 AAnd the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

I Peter 2:1 AWherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, A

Ps 55:21 AThe words of his mouth smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: His words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. (Immediately following this statement are the much repeated words of Acast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: )

In the New Testament there are a number of Greek works pertaining to counsel. Five of them can be found in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 alone: ANow we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

1. Parakaleo B to beseech, exhort, encourage, comfort (Rom. 12:1; 15:30; 2 Cor. 1:4; I Thes. 5:11)

2. Noutheteo B to put to mind, warn, confront (Rom. 15:14; 1 Cor. 4:14; Col. 3:16)

3. Paramutheomai B to cheer up, encourage (1 Thes. 2:11; John 11:19, 31)

4. Antechomai B to cling to, to hold fast to, to take an interest in (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13)

5. Makrothumeo B to be patient (Matt. 18:26, 29; Heb. 6:15; James 5:7)

1. ya’ats B This is a general term meaning to advise, counsel, consult. It is used approximately 80 times in the OT.

The first uses describing Jethro=s counsel to Moses (Exod. 18:19) and again in 2 Chron.25:16.

2. dabar B the Acounsel of Balaam (Num. 31:6) refers to advice.

3. sowd -- David=s reference to the Asweet counsel (Ps. 55:14) he had received from a former friend carries the connotation of fellowship and sharing.

4. ‘etsah -- Israel=s lack Ain counsel (Deut. 32:28) suggests a lack of understanding.

5. yasad -- Athe rulers take counsel together (Ps. 2:2) means that they sit down together for a period of mutual consultation, deliberation, and instruction.  These several words and terms for Acounsel used in the Bible seems to imply that different approaches are suitable for different situations.

Dr. Robert Schuller, the APossibility minister states that AIf you change your thoughts, you can change your world . He goes on to say that following his conversion, APaul spent 14 years in training, unlearning all of the legalism of his upbringing. He (Paul) filtered out the negative use of doctrines which taught judgment and arguments, and replaced them with the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Paul renewed his energy by renewing his mind. An example is Philippians 4:8-9 AFinally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and ir there be any praise, think on these things.........and the God of peace will be with you.

As Ellis initially wrote and all cognitive therapist agree, our feelings are caused by our thoughts - not by the event or person. The process human emotions is described as the ABC=s.

Galatians 6:3 states, AFor if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (This justifies the camera check of the activating event.)

Romans 12:2: AAnd be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Psalms 27:14 states, "Wait on the LORD, be of good courage (a feeling), and He shall strengthen thine HEART (mind)

Prov. 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein if a breach in the spirit."(KJ) AGentle words cause life and health; griping brings discouragement. (Living Bible)

Proverbs 15:23 "A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!" (KJ)  AEveryone enjoys giving good advice, and how wonderful it is to be able to say the right thing at the right time! (Liv. B.)

Proverbs 25:11 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (KJ) ATimely advice is as lovely as gold apples in a silver basket. (Liv. B.)

2 Corinthians 13:5 is an excellent scripture that challenges us to think about our thinking. AExamine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

Rational Rule # 1: Is my thought based on Fact? Notice that in the Bible Atruth means God=s word; therefore, truth and fact are synonymous. Truth in everyday life is merely what a person believes. This is an important distinction!

John 8:32: AAnd ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Rational Rule # 2: Does my thought or behavior best help me protect my life and health? Exodus 20:17 AThou shalt not kill

1 Cor. 6:19 A..... your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Rational Rule # 3: Does my thought or behavior help me reach my short term and long term goals?

I Cor. 9:19-23 Jesus described his striving for His goal in reaching men said, AI am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do the for gospel=s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

I Cor. 9:24 ,26 AKnow ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. AI therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

Rational Rule # 4: Does my thought or behavior help me to avoid conflict that I do not want with others?

Romans 12:18 & 19 AIf it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 15:2 ALet each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

Proverbs 17:19 AHe loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

Ephesians 4:32 AAnd be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ=s sake hath forgiven you.

Rational Rule # 5: Does my thought or behavior help me to feel the way I want to feel?

Eph. 4:31 A Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.

Philippians 4:9 AThose things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

The reason we challenge our thoughts (Maultsby calls it the Rational Self Analysis) is to change unhealthy thoughts to ones more healthy. Paul as he wrote to the Romans realized this was true within man or within the Christian life as he wrote: (Romans 12 1-3) AI beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies (lives) a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (NKJ)

This inner battle is depicted in Romans 7:14-25: AFor we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So than with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Keep practicing -- success will come: Galatians 5:13; 6:9: AFor you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. AAnd let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Linda Sebastian, CCBT recently published a book entitled, AOvercoming Postpartum Depression and Anxiety

Linda=s book is published by Addicus Books and is available through Amazon.Com, Barnes&Noble.Com, and Barnes & Noble Bookstores.

Michael Rosenbaum, Ph.D. recently presented two workshops. He presented, AOvercoming the Myth of Self-Worth and Achieving Unconditional Self-Acceptance at the Enlightened Woman Conference in Mobile, AL and ASocial Anxiety Disorder: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach at the Annual Conference of the Alabama Counseling Association, also in Mobile. Michael is a NACBT Certified Rational Addictions Therapist and a Certified Rational Marriage & Family Therapist.

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