Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People Back on Track

by Charles Allen Kollar

This groundbreaking book, now updated and expanded, furthers its original, effective, time-saving approach that benefits pastors overtaxed by counseling demands. Dr. Charles Kollar presents a departure in pastoral counseling, showing that counseling need not be long-term or depend on psychological manipulation to produce dramatic results. In most cases, the solution lies with the counselees themselves. Using the tested methods found in Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling, pastors, apart from counselors, will be well equipped to help their counselees discover a solution and put it in motion speedily and productively. SFPC is short-term typically one to five sessions, in which the counselor seeks to create solutions with not for the counselee. The focus is on the possibility of life without the problem through an understanding of what is different when the problem does not occur or is less intrusive. The goal is healthy change, sooner rather than later, by helping the counselee see and work on the solution with God s activity already present in his or her life. The solution-focused approach does not require the counselor to be a highly trained psychological expert. It requires biblically based sensitivity and common sense. Yet this approach also recognizes its limitations and understands that there are situations in which other professional and/or medical help is required."

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Nonfiction, Christian, Mental Health, Christianity

288 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kyle Grindberg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Where should I begin with this awful book that's full of poison? It was assigned in my counseling class. I have to give credit to my professor for he did warn us that many students have not liked this one, and now I see with good reason. First of all, Kollar is a terrible exegete (I can't tell you how many times he wrenched "can two walk together and not be agreed?" out of its context...). But this concern pales in comparison to his untethered empathy. Granted, this book was written before the explosive controversy, but Kollar is firmly on the wicked side of that issue.

Kollar argues that we as counselors need to step into “the truth” of the person we’re counseling, that we can’t find solutions unless we understand “their truth.” However, this, at worst, is untethered empathy, and at best, is giving a foothold for that. It reminds me of the false prophets in king Ahab’s court, Ahab (king of Israel) and Josaphat (king of Judah) are meeting at Ahab’s court to go on a joint-military venture. Josaphat suggests they inquire of the Lord through a prophet, 400 are summed, and they all say to go up for the Lord will show them victory, but Jehoshaphat said, “‘Is there not yet a prophet of the Lord here that we may inquire of him?’ The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, ‘There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the Lord, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He is Micaiah son of Imlah’” (1 Kings 22:7-8). Ahab only wanted counselors who respected his truth. All Micaiah ever did was project (projection, i.e., sharing a thought or an experience in response to what a counselee says was a cardinal sin condemned vehemently in my counselling class). What Kollar is advocating is akin to gathering a bunch of prophets who only speak according to your truth.

And then I hit chapter 7. This chapter was all about the benefit of good listening and compliments in counseling so that the counselee feels "heard" and "validated." Kollar says that aspect of solution-based counseling straddles the line between secular (more feelings and negative experiences focused) and pastoral counseling (more cognitively focused), taking the best of both worlds because it looks at the problems and emotions just long enough to find a solution. Kollar gives an example of a young woman who is condescending and disrespectful to her husband, and as Kollar’s considering confronting her, she is less open to his counsel because she can pick up his urge to jump to solutions. So instead he compliments and flatters her to get her guard down, in order to give her some solutions. He says that this practice is implied in God’s rhetorical question “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” (Amos 3:3) (which as I mentioned above he wrenches from its proper context). He also cites Romans 12:15, “we are to rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” In the case of the woman who was treating her husband in a condescending way, Kollar speaks of the situation in a jokey-sort-of-way, saying, “I recall the time when a twenty-three-year-old woman came to see me. She was married to a younger man of twenty-two,” and then a little later saying, “They had been married for seven months!” It shows that he found the whole thing ridiculous, but then his tactic was to ask her, “How had she been able to manage as long as she had?” to subtly compliment her, but the fact he was just before subtly joking about how short it had been makes the compliment (or flattery) seem so disingenuous. What is flattery but building someone up for your own purposes (verses encouragement which is for their benefit), and I would argue that even if we're flattering for a good purpose, the ends never justify the means. It’s dishonest. “Let love be genuine” (Romans 12:9) not dishonest for a greater goal. Should we drum up crocodile tears so we can weep with those who weep, in order for them to feel heard?

And then in Chapter 20, Kollar says when counseling teenage girl that it would unethical to a tell the parents’ of her pregnancy and desire for an abortion if you hadn't beforehand told the girl that this kind of thing would not be confidential. My question is: how about when she tells you of her plan to kill her 1 year old child? Would you have a responsibility then? The most galling thing about this is that literally the next page Kollar gives situations that it would not be unethical to report when not receiving prior consent from them, and they are as follows: “when the counselee may injure either himself or others; when the counselor believes that the counselee's behavior is bizarre and that he may require hospitalization; or when the counselor believes a counselee under the age of sixteen has been victimized through rape, incest, child abuse, or some other criminal activity.” When the counselor believes that the counselee's behavior is bizarre(!!!). That is grounds, but not the murder of an unborn baby? Therein lies the problem with Kollar, he’s worldly, and his ethical categories are more informed by the APA than the Bible.

Bad, very bad, stay away.

[BJ Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upfront disclosure, I am incredibly biased against counseling. My experience with counseling is one of the worst things that happened in my life. Even though it was with a Christian counselor, it gave me an unbiblical perspective of my life and my past that took years to shake, and in some ways, I still have to fight against. I have seen the same damage done to others I know and love by other counselors, Christian and secular both.

That said, the reasons why I am unimpressed with this book are not the reasons I didn't much like this book. In fact, Kollar himself points out some of the same problems with the modern practice that I have. Most counseling is problem-focused rather than solution-focused. This causes the counselee to look toward their past as damaging rather than shaping, and it looks inward seeing the counselee as a label, rather than a whole person. People begin to see themselves as ADD, depressed, bipolar, PTSD, having anxiety disorder... whatever. Kollar points out how attaching labels to people makes the people the problem rather than making the problem the problem.

I fully agree with this. But I also think Kollar tends to swing too far to the other side. His focus seems to be entirely behavior-based. If we can figure out what positive things a person should be doing, their negative feelings and emotions would fade away. While I think this is a huge improvement over the normal approach, I do not feel as though he is dealing with the person wholistically.

Beyond this, I strongly feel that if the church is fulfilling its mandate to make disciples, then the need for counseling (Christian or secular, professional or not) would disappear. Every Christian should be a disciple and be making disciples. We should have a mentor and be a mentor. If this were happening, 99% of the need for "counseling" within the church community would not exist. As Kollar himself has said, "the church contains within it all that is necessary for emotional strength and hope for the future. Professional therapy, at its best, is a pale imitation of the Lord’s church."

[Demetrius · Rating 1 out of 5]

Koller presents a negative view on the mental health industry.

With only a one sided view on the journey to recovery, Kollar presents a method that could be useful, but misses the mark. He starts off his book by criticizing the mental health industry and why pastors need to take back counseling. He himself admits to creating a dichotomy that others in the church profess. He assumes that the mental health industry is out to make money and isn't shy in presenting that, almost as a fact.

The book is riddled with his own personal opinions that detract from the method. This makes the reader have to wade through what is factual or just an opinion.

This book is presented as a means for pastors to take back counseling. While there is nothing wrong with Pastors counseling. This isn't the way to do so. Proper training is perhaps needed for the way in which a pastor can effectively counsel someone and maybe a new outlook that encourages the pastors not to just refer, but work with the mental health industry.

[Michael Chen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has good practical tips. But much of the book seems like secular/common grace wisdom, with Bible verses (often out-of-context).

This book emphasizes changing actions, not repenting; the counselee's wisdom, not the Bible; and the counselee's strengths, not the Holy Spirit or God's grace. (To be fair, Kollar never explicitly discourages reliance on the Bible/the Holy Spirit/God's grace. But on the other hand, he hardly encourages this.)

Thankfully, there are plenty of problems that can be addressed by common grace and common sense. But spiritual problems require spiritual solutions.

[Connor Longaphie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel entirely apathetic to this book

[Rebecca Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

60 of 2020: Pastors are often overtaxed by counseling demands on their time in addition to all the other demands on their time. However, just because problems are complex, that does not mean the solutions have to be. Instead of dwelling on causes and motivations, solution-based pastoral counseling proposes a short-term period of counseling designed to help parishioners make small changes that will have big impact on their lives.

My required pastoral counseling class at seminary used this book as one of their books to help teach a 4-6 session short-term strategy to pastoral counseling. With a willing, motivated care-seeker, this could be a highly effective approach to counseling. It puts the care-seeker in charge of both the problems and solutions and seeks to considers small changes into large gains.

#pastoralcounseling is not my field, but the class I took in combination with this book and others has helped me to realize that change does not have to be complicated. This isn’t a format of counseling that is helpful for every care-seeker and every problem, but it is incredible helpful for the busy pastor as he attempts to decide who he can help and who needs referral to a professional counselor.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#gradschoolreads #books #booklover #bookstagram #seminary

[Brandon Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a different style to Pastoral Counseling. Kollar argues for a Solution Focused approach rather than a Problem Focused approach. He argues with this imagine in mind, "A struggling baseball player should watch their successful film rather than the struggling film". He tells the reader to learn what the person does well to create change. Then, the person can begin to expose and create change. The author assumes God is already working in the counselee, they are the expert on their problems, and the goal is to move toward small group accountability. This is by no means written for Christian counseling outside of the local church and full-time pastor setting. It was an interesting read that opened my eyes to other counseling methods. I do not necessarily agree with all statements or his theological stance, but he completes his intended outcome stated in his thesis.

[Kelly Zens · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book. It offers real hope to those seeking solutions to their problems. It is written for a Christian audience, but has wisdom for all audiences. It details the problems with traditional counseling models and then sets forth a short-term solution based model that will allow the client to see progress in the first session. The books basic premise is that the client should be setting the counseling goals and is an expert on his/her own life. It shows the counselor how to be attuned to the things the Holy Spirit is already doing in the clients life. It gives practical strategies to point out, support and affirm the clients in their efforts to create and clarify solutions. This is one of the best counseling books I've ever read.

[Mike Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling offers the busy pastor a practical and productive method for effectively addressing the lion’s share of counseling requests encountered in full-time ministry. With increased expectations upon the typical pastor as well as the growing tendencies toward specialization in ministry, counseling needs are more and more becoming relegated to the “professionals” in order to safeguard resources for what is perceived as “real” ministry. In the pastor’s defense, the time-consuming components of counseling, not to mention the accompanying emotional drain is difficult to justify, given the oft poor results realized. Nonetheless, the author offers a workable program that is reasonable and effective for the greatest of skeptics in ministry. The program is built upon the assumption that the pastor is not necessarily bringing particular learned skills to those in need, but takes advantage of what God is already doing in the lives of the counselee. This principle alone offers a great sense of relief for those of us who feel inadequate to cope with the complexities of counseling. At the same time, liberty is given to refer those who face complex borderline issues to alternate professional resources.
The primary area of focus in counseling is pivotal in the methodology offered. It is common in most models to focus upon the problem at hand, identified as a problem-focused paradigm. Kollar argues that focusing on the problem does not necessarily benefit the client but runs the risk of further validating the issue and unfairly contributing greater weight to what may be an insignificant matter altogether. Kollar argues that these “individual paradigms” are frequently self-imposed circumstances that blind the counselee to alternative approaches for reconciliation. Rather, his approach is built upon a solutions-focused concept that essentially encourages the counselee to dream about the desired outcome. This particular process is viewed as “Imagineering” wherein the details of the desired future are articulated by the counselee with the hopes of developing specific achievable goals along the way. He argues, “The [desired] outcome dictates the process, rather than the process dictating the outcome.” Again, the operational assumption is that the counselee has all the resources needed in God. A series of questions are strategically utilized in order to get at the root issue and bring about the oft self-imposed blockades that will need to be addressed in the course of counseling.
As expected the critical area of identity comes into full view as the counselee attempts to redefine a norm for living the desired life. In distinctively Christian counseling, it is imperative that the program point back to the Divine Creator and His creation as vice-regents. In doing so, we acknowledge that our unique personalities are significantly impacted by “the fall” and the resultant sin has categorically overtaken life in the garden once perfectly enjoyed. As we enter into a loving and dynamic relationship with God, through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the opportunity for reconciliation is available to those willing to undergo what we understand theologically as the sanctification process. This lifelong pursuit is daily and incremental in nature enabled by the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. All things are new and abundant redeeming grace becomes a common ingredient for successful Christian living in the jungle of the 21st century. It is critical for each of us to realize that we live in a natural state of becoming, but we will never fully realize absolute or final sanctification until we see Jesus and become like Him. This is an important reminder for us in what becomes a mandate for grace-laden attitudes toward self and others. We are being formed. What we believe we become. The Word of God discovered in the Bible offers a tremendous account of mankind’s developing relationship with a loving God through the millennia. The pages are replete with ageless patterns of human failure and God’s faithful demonstration of unmerited grace.
Kollar speaks into the profession of the pastorate through a practical delineation between tasks. He argues that preaching is necessary to “persuade the listener to receive the purpose and plan of God.” He further addresses Christian education as teaching the “application” of such truths. Fellowship is seen as instrumental in developing relationships of “... encouragement, mutual sharing and strengthening.” Then he suggests that counseling is an opportunity to, “...cocreate between the Spirit, counselor, and counselee,” in a solutions-focused dialogue. In other words, it simply isn’t enough to preach and teach from afar without opportunity to engage in authentic community to fully realize life-change opportunities within the church. This further reinforces the need for small groups within the local fellowship where relationships of accountability are being formed as part and parcel of the sanctification process. It is becoming ever more apparent that much of what is lacking in the modern-day church can be found within the auspices of a dynamic small group.
Overall, I have been encouraged to re-engage in the ministry of counseling and have since utilized this helpful method with marked success. This is a straightforward approach that recognizes God is at work and we are merely instruments that facilitate the process, rather than taking-on unrealistic expectations and unhealthy levels of ownership in the process.

[Ed · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely terrible. Many of the opinions and methods expressed in this book are, frankly, ignorant. The author speaks about various mental illnesses and forms of trauma in ways that (1) make me wonder if he has ever actually encountered those issues and (2) make me afraid for the people whom he has counseled. Some of his methods are downright dangerous. I could not in good conscience either “counsel” someone using the methods in this book, endorse anyone using them, or endorse anyone seeing a counselor who uses them.

[Nicole Telaneus · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has some good tidbits, but overall, it’s is very poorly developed. While I agree that it is helpful to be solution focused, the author takes this to the extreme, pushing back almost entirely against mental health diagnoses, investigating or processing the past, and even talking about the problem at hand. The author spends hardly any time acknowledging the opposing side to his view, and speaks of his view as if all other views are wrong and borderline sinful. There are several misinterpretations of scripture. Overall, would not recommend.

[Kyle Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

Kollar did an excellent job explaining a short-term model in the context of a Pastoral counseling relationship. This book has practical steps for the beginner to learn and begin to wrap their head around. This is a must read for the lay counselor who is thinking about counseling.

[Dan(Personal) Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Christian based Technique

I read this book for a class and found it to be an enjoyable read. It discusses a unique view on how to progress someone toward a positive view of their life.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it surprisingly readable, practical, and overall a good resource for ministers.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pastor, this is a great book to read to help people. It’s important to recommend people to a pro but this book helps with us non-pros as well.

[Dan Absalonson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great approach to counseling. I can see myself coming back to this book again.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kollar’s text provides a very practical introduction to pastoral counseling, offering insight into both the theory and practice of the “solution-focused” approach. Light on psychological jargon, Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling sketches out a basic, everyday approach to counseling that seeking to identify solutions rather than label disorders. In this way, Kollar’s method is well fitted for the pastor who does not have professional psychological training, but seeks to help counselees attain goals and find healing. Further, the text offers a step-by-step walk through of the counseling process, from questioning to feedback. It is a very helpful basic text. A-

[Joshua · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree that being solution-focused is important, but Kollar seems to be biased against professional, secular therapist. When dealing with trauma or addiction some of his suggestions will not work. He does recommend referring clients out if need be but strongly suggests finding Christian therapists. I know both secular and Christian and it honestly depends on the individual therapist. There are good and bad of both.

[Jose · Rating 3 out of 5]

As others have mentioned, this book is very simplistic and one-sided.
That said, it acknowledges it by giving the reader a disclaimer:
"you are not an expert... if you encounter situations that are do not fit into this scope, let the professionals handle it." (my own words)
Still the author does critique the predominant approach to psychotherapy.

It lacks a lot, but the information that it does offer is a gem!

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good text on pastoral counseling.

[Danielle Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great and different perspective on counseling methodologies. It's always great to have as many tools and resources as necessary in ones arsenal of knowledge.

[Encourager Linda]

This is a great book for Christian Counseling or Christian Life Coaching. I enjoyed this book so much I am interested in taking more classes on the subject.