A Brief Book Notice from Books At a Glance
by Fred G. Zaspel
The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference helps counselors understand how some medical conditions impact counseling needs. Inspired by Dr. Bob Smith’s first edition, this book, with all new material, will help to guide counselors in offering specific reminders of gospel truth to counselees as they journey the road ahead. Readers will learn more about the basics of certain disorders and conditions as well as gain a better understanding of the specific counseling needs that often accompany each condition.
The opening chapters explain foundational principles for counseling those who are struggling with physical, mental, and emotional challenges. The remaining chapters examine the challenges associated with a variety of physical and mental conditions such as autoimmune disorders, OCD, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, bipolar disorder, clinical depression, postpartum depression, premenstrual syndrome, and others, helping counselors better understand the specific counseling needs that often accompany each struggle. By learning more about certain conditions, readers will be better equipped to counsel beyond labels and address the whole person. They will also gain confidence in the sufficiency of Scripture to bring hope and help to sufferers.
The Institute for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship’s (IBCD) executive director Jim Newheiser writes, “This is a book every pastor and Christian counselor needs to own and to which they will often refer. The authors combine the wealth of their extensive medical training and experience with their commitment to and knowledge of God’s Word. The case studies in each chapter effectively help the reader to better understand medical issues that often come up in counseling and the potential approaches to offer help.”
Charles Hodges Jr., MD, is a family physician and biblical counselor who serves as the Executive Director of Vision of Hope, a residential treatment facility for women with emotional struggles. He is also a counselor and instructor at Faith Biblical Counseling Ministry in Lafayette, IN. He is the author of Good Mood Bad Mood: Help and Hope for Depression and Bipolar Disorder, editor of The Christian Counselor’s Medical Desk Reference, 2nd Edition, and was a contributing writer for Caring for the Souls of Children.
See our Author Interview with Dr. Hodges here.