Growth counseling: A dialogue with Howard Clinebell

This interview describes an emerging tenor in pastoral psychology, growth counseling. Philosophically cultivated by the Human Potentials Movement, this school of counseling has genetic components in biblical theology, as well as intrapsychic and interpersonal psychotherapy. Church-related issues are also linked, especially crisis intervention models for the laity and the pastoral counselor's unique vantage for ministry. In addition to these characteristics, the "dialogue" underscores two other concerns many health care professionals share: (1) a deemphasis of psychopathology via a renewed emphasis of the human "growth drive"; and (2) the therapeutic complementarity of affirmation vis-à-vis empathic confrontation.