Cognitive Biblical
Therapy Coursework
Counseling Through God’s
Transformative Word
Chapter 3
Five Phases Review
After discussing Chapters 1 and 2, we are now ready to step into the CBT Phases of counseling. Whether you have or have not started some aspects of your practicum yet, understanding the details of what to expect in the initial counseling sessions is important.
Let’s review the purpose of the CBT Phases.
The process of Cognitive Biblical Therapy consists of five phases: analysis, learning Biblical norms, ownership, application and maturity. designed to transition individuals from symptom-focused narration to God-dependent stability. Remember, the scriptural purpose for the Analysis Phase is in Isaiah 1:18:
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins
are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are
red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
Analysis
Analysis is basically identifying the person’s need and struggle in conditional beliefs, attitudes and behaviors. Through the initial or intake session, with observation, dialogue, information forms and the Analysis Questionnaire for Agape Love (AQAL), the client willingly provides personal information and responses in a safe, therapeutic space.
Making Observations: The counselor listens closely to how the client describes their struggles, while simultaneously observing non-verbal cues, relational and personality patterns, and behavioral responses. This is done not through the lens of secular psychology, but under the interpretive norm of God's viewpoint—evaluating the person's ways against divine truth (Proverbs 5:21).
Discussing the Presenting Problem: The counselor gives space for the client to share their perception of the issue. However, the goal is to gently transition the focus away from mere symptom narration or blaming others, and toward a clear look at the underlying spiritual and relational realities.
Presenting the Methodology: The counselor outlines how the five-phase process (Analysis, Biblical Norms, Ownership, Application, and Maturity) will work. This sets clear expectations that counseling is a structured, scriptural journey aimed at bringing the heart into submission to God rather than offering quick, humanistic fixes.
Forming a Counseling Direction or Treatment Plan: Using the Initial Session Information and Individual Data Inventory forms are an essential part of early discussions. The client’s completion of the Analysis Questionnaire for Agape Love (AQAL) will bring the client’s beliefs, attitudes and behaviors to light in comparison to the standards like 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV):
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”.
Scoring and Recording the AQAL: After the client has completed the AQAL, the counselor records their answers on all 16 pages of the Agape Love Analysis Profile (ALAP). As you remember, their answers are compared to the Biblical Norms under the “Analysis Questionnaire Biblical Concepts” for each of the 15 qualities of God’s love. If you have not completed your AQAL, scored it and transferred your scores yet, please do so. Another option, take the AQAL again though regarding a different relationship/person or situation to see if or how your results are different than before. For your convenience, if you want to use the “Record AQAL, Score Sheet and ALAP Graph”, please do so.
Explaining the AQAL Results on the ALAP: High scores on the ALAP of composite graph (first page) and the following pages, identify strengths, middle scores identify areas of consideration for growth and low scores show the areas needing improvement. The scoring pattern on the composite graph, generally reveals a personality tendency or personality types (follow link for review) when supported by observation of the client and their own description of their relational reactions. (Consider reviewing Course 4, Chapter 1 for a comprehensive review of the personality types.) Areas for growth become the focus along with using CBT tools like the Principles for Biblical Confrontation (Process of Patience) and the Biblical Process for Healthy Relationships. Follow the links for a reminder or review of these tools.
Lessons Learned in the Analysis Phase
Take a minute to put yourself in the “client’s chair”, when you hear you are in the “Analysis Phase” of counseling. What intrigues you and what causes your defenses to rise up? Sitting with clients through the counseling process is a “we thing”, more than a “you thing”. Many successful counselors have or presently are sitting in the client’s chair, which humbly leads our attitude and words, especially in opening sessions of counseling. After years of counseling, I have learned many lessons like this. Another lesson is to, start where the client presents themself in counseling. Do not run ahead of the client, be “with them” first. Wait to draw your conclusions about their situation and their needs.
Then be careful to word you questions in the Analysis Phase with the same attitudes as above. Consider asking or saying …:
“I noticed some concern on your face when you described your frustration with him. Did you notice something going on inside of you? Can you tell me more about that?”
“Your supervisor sounds like a jerk. How do you perceive her?”
“Bummer, that’s tough. I’m sorry to hear that happened to you. Can I pray with you right now to help us talk about this?”
“Your daughter appears to have backed you into a corner. How are you feeling about her reactions to you?”
“I am curious why you reached out last week for counseling? What do you ask God to change in your life?”
Biblical Norms
For all of us, God’s truth is discovered through His Word as the Holy Spirit illuminates our heart and mind (2 Timothy 3:16&17). Word studies are a part of God bringing His understanding to us. Biblical authors wrote within their own cultural contexts, utilizing distinct grammatical structures for nouns and verbs. In Biblical Hebrew, nouns inflect for gender, number, definiteness, construct state, and pronominal suffixes, while verbs utilize a root-and-stem system alongside various inflections, conjugations, and aspectual tenses. In ancient Greek, nouns rely on a broad case system to determine grammatical function, whereas verbs inflect for tense-aspect, voice, mood, person, and number. As you remember, the CBT model is based upon how the meaning of Biblical words, like qualities of Agape love, provides the foundation for Analysis, Biblical Norms, Ownership, Application and Maturity. Within the Biblical Norms Phase of counseling, the counselor introduces the Scriptural norm to point the client toward God’s solution for their problem. Consider reviewing Course 3, Chapter 1 and/or Word Studies for a reminder as you prepare for your practicum.
Presenting Problem to Biblical Norms
In order to lead the client away from focusing solely on their presenting problem, the counselor compares their beliefs, attitudes and behaviors within the presenting problem to the Agape love norms. Observing the client’s non-verbal and verbal responses during the initial counseling sessions, may give some indication to their are willingness and openness to move to the Biblical Norm Phase of the counseling process. Considering Proverbs 5:21, which serves as the Scriptural standard in light to their responses is critical. "For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths." I have to remind myself, it is more rare, less likely for people to expose their “ways” to God or a counselor. Respecting a client’s discomfort and more importantly their personal life can lay the groundwork for a client to move forward in the counseling relationship and process.
For clients who are less open or very reactive to this approach, practice patience and kindness. Practically speak slowly when needed, ask for their understanding, repeat the purpose of the ISI and IDI, listen intently to their confusion or objections, use personal examples and put them into God’s hands through prayer at the end of the session. In other words, let go to let God’s Spirit do the work. Otherwise, you may be trying to convince the client(s) and do the Spirit’s work.
Keep in mind, another purpose of the Analysis Phase into the Biblical Norm Phase, is to achieve diagnostic clarification of the presenting problem and their need (unconditional love versus conditioned reactions). Rather than assuming what the client’s problem is without spiritual discernment that can lead to premature intervention, the counselor brings all the observations and questionnaire results to the Lord to discern next steps that may or may not include a treatment plan. The counselor’s responsibility is to “do no harm”, help the client walk through any defensive reactions and be an example of Agape love.
Redirecting the Conversation Forward
Let’s say, you are practicing patience and kindness with an open heart, you desire the best for the client sitting in front of you. As you listen, you notice the client in some form or fashion, resistant to go beyond their presenting problem narration. Consider several methods to redirect the conversation;
“In order for me to help you the way God has prepared me, I would like for you to take time in the next couple of days, to complete the questionnaire I sent to you. I have seen God use this Biblical process to work through problems like you are describing right now. Here’s an extra copy of the questionnaire, let’s look at the first question.”
After listening to the client share for 30 minutes or so, respectfully ask the client, what they desire to get out of their session today. Let them know how you can help them accomplish part or all of what they desire by the grace of God.
Or when a client is using one word answers to your questions, their face looks tense and body appears stiff, ask to pray with them to help them share the reason for attending the counseling session.
Ask God to help you discern how the client is resisting. When you sense why and have peace, ask them if they notice what you sense they are doing. Let them know, you could be wrong and you don’t have to be right.
When spouses do not appear to be hearing each other, ask one or both to reflect back what he or she is hearing them say. You may have to demonstrate a reflective response regarding what you heard them say.
As you may have noticed the subtle message in this chapter, clients have to be ready and willing to move forward. If needed, there are books, resources and trainings that can help you assess when a client is ready to move forward in different phases of counseling. Also, various skills you can use to help lead clients without sounding like a used car sales person.
Here are some behaviors and responses from clients ready to move into the Ownership Phase:
When they are responsive to the counseling expectations, complete intake forms and their Analysis Questionnaire, then return them in a timely manner. Sounds simple, but not always a priority for people.
When the client’s actions are demonstrating an openness to receive and accept their part in the presenting problem.
When God’s grace (ability) and transforming power of Agape love is evident early in the counseling process.
When the client acknowledges they feel more hope at the end of their first or second session.
For more explanation or to review the Initial Session material, go back to Course 1, Chapter 1.
Ownership
As you may remember, the Ownership Phase is about “correction and instruction”, where the greatest work of God’s grace occurs. The client is faced with his or her part of the problem and the necessity to choose. Typically, at the stage of ownership, the client has experienced some hope and encouragement within their issue(s) and some symptom reduction, feeling better. In Client Centered or Brief, Solution Focused Therapy models, this is often the case. The client feels motivated and ready to move forward, no longer needing to seek help, after three to five sessions. Their presenting problem is less of a problem, yet in Cognitive Biblical Therapy, the client’s hope, encouragement and motivation needs spiritual strength to dig beneath the surface of their identified problem. A client’s pain points and discomforts are important factors impacting their faith in God’s provisions to go deeper, return to each counseling session, do their homework and surrender to God.
Ownership is a matter of the Holy Spirit’s work in the client’s heart and mind, the reason why we invite Him into the counseling relationship and each session with the client(s). Acknowledging your powerlessness as the counselor, to yourself, to God and to the client is your part. The client’s part is the same acknowledgement that will lead them to rely on the Holy Spirit and God’s Word to be their Source in reaching the spiritual, ongoing maturity as discussed in Course 2. Be encouraged during when the client is faced with their human and sinful condition, since this is an opportunity for God to work to bring about spiritual transformation through His Agape love which becomes their answer to life’s problems and relationships. God’s love wins!
Client’s Progress through Ownership
Observation of client’s change and growth is one of the greatest privileges we have as counselors. As the client discovers a working, Biblical, knowledge (like seeds) of Agape love and its practical application, the Holy Spirit becomes the agent to bring this knowledge to the client’s mind, when they “stop, think and pray” (John 14). Generally, most clients need some time to review both the Biblical norms and their questionnaire with their analysis profile. This is a lot of material to soak up, so give them time, pray for them and ask them to pray about the validity (if it is true) of what they have read. Second, since ownership has to do with “correction and instruction” where the greatest work and impact of God’s grace occurs, the client(s) has a choice, to either submit to God or continue in disobedience. As we discussed, this is a matter of the Holy Spirit working in our heart that offends our humanity and pride. James 4:7-10, outlines how God's truth transforms the hearts of clients. In counseling, the use of the AQAL and ALAP comparisons bring to light the practical application of facing one’s conditional, humanistic beliefs, attitudes and behaviors.
An example of the Biblical Norms Phase, is when a husband and wife in their 40s, came for help with their 12 year old son. Their son attended a few sessions, filling out the AQAL questionnaire and quickly put to good use what he learned from the ALAP. Within a few sessions, the parents returned by themselves reporting their son’s improvements at home and school. The wife had completed her AQAL, though the husband still delayed the process. He was fairly quiet, confident in his faith though lacked a practical side of love and relating to both his wife and son. I was gracious with him, yet firm about considering how patience and kindness was a significant part of his communication with his family.
In this case, the son and mother listened, prayed, desired submission to God’s love and to each other. The father never grasped or owned the Analysis Phase, appearing not to accept the Biblical norms nor access the help of the Holy Spirit. I could only patiently provide him the opportunity to discover what was missing in his life and relationships, while his family moved through the counseling process. I had to accept he was not ready for help, while focusing on the mother’s relationship and parenting with her 12 year old son.
You may notice an overlap of the first three phases, a fluid back and forth in the first 3-5 counseling sessions, where clients are reviewing their answers to the AQAL questions, comparing the ALAP Biblical Concepts and seeking understanding of the Biblical norms that leads to understanding and surrender to Agape love. This back and forth motion will also land at “ownership”, so do not expect clients to automatically be ready to move past these phases into the Application phase. Or, be sure the client doesn’t rush past the first three phases to get to the solution of their presenting problem and/or fix the identified person with the problem.
Lessons Learned with Ownership
Be gentle, yet firm and confident in explaining your reliance on God’s authority, Agape love standards and their relationship with God’s Spirit. Consider saying or responding to client concerns with …
“Your responses to the Analysis Questionnaire describe your beliefs, attitudes and behaviors of God’s standard for love. I see some real strengths that come from a heart of care for … . There are also some opportunities for healing and growth to draw closer in your relationship with … .”
“We all fall short of Agape love and struggle to love some people and love in some situations that rub us the wrong way. You have your ways and I have mine.”
“What is God teaching you since you have been attending counseling?” Or, “When you review your AQAL answers with the ALAP, what are several Agape love truths that stand out to you?”
Introspection is not common for many people and are usually unaware of their feelings and ill motives. Give them time to think and talk. Then consider asking …:
“You sound stuck right now, not able to move forward. Have you thought about what’s holding you back?”
“In the next few days, see if you can notice what you feel like when your wife avoids eye contact with you.”
“When you paused and asked God for help, what did you sense from Him? Maybe peace? Insight?”
Application
Commitment to change takes the client beyond the initial decision to apply God’s Word and principles to their identified problem and underlying issues. This may mean the client confronts people at work (see Process of Patience examples), entering a chemical rehabilitation program, reconciling with individuals or facing the realities of abuse. Part of this process is learning a new way to face problems which relies upon God’s grace, the working of God the Holy Spirit and the individual’s own effort. Without this new method of dealing with the normal difficulties of life through the power and wisdom of God, behaviors do not tend to change over time. They are learning the means to problem solve through a Scriptural and spiritual process as Jesus defined in John 14:15-18: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” This is their key for lasting, spiritual stability, especially as they use the Agape love qualities to apply to their issues. Feel free to review Course 4, starting with the Personality study in Chapter 1 through Chapter 28, to highlight certain areas for familiarity in preparation for your practicum.
You may notice either a hesitancy on your part to point out their underlying issues or an excitement to apply Agape love principles to the client’s struggles, based upon your personality and past experiences. Counselors can be easily swayed by their own internal needs and miss where the client is at in their own application processes. Either way, striking a balance is important, observing a client’s body language and their spiritual desire to apply the qualities of God’s love will be in their best interest. Spiritually discerning their internal processes and the Lord’s guidance will help you strike a positive balance, along with expressing your discernment, then asking, “What are your thoughts?” Here are more questions and statements that can help clients process their own internal thoughts and feelings throughout this phases.
“I am impressed you came to counseling, which shows a humble posture and is not common in these types of situations. How can I help you today as you prepare to return to work tomorrow?”
“You sound upset right now, help me to know what is hurting you.”
“I noticed your answers to questions about patience are more difficult than your answers for kindness. Did you notice that?”
“You said it is difficult for you not to retaliate or lash out when your girlfriend falsely accuses you by text. Is there something inside pushing you to react back at her rather than taking a breath and asking God to help you surrender your turmoil to Him before responding to her?”
“Do you find it difficult to use the Process of Patience? If so, tell me how. Do you sense God is not hearing you?”
Responding versus reacting to a client’s anger, accusation or manipulative comments are less threatening than an opportunity to speak truth into their life. Consider the following:
“I want to sit down with you to hear your concerns and understand what is bothering you. When can we do that?”
“I heard you say something about me being late for your appointment. Can I share with you my perspective?”
“In what you are describing, I could be wrong and I want to hear your facts. Please lower your voice; take a breath if you need to and let me know your perspective.”
“Thanks for bringing your concern to my attention. I actually get a little stressed when I hear things like this. Can you give me a minute to breathe and think back to what happened?”
“I am not sure you are aware, when your voice gets loud and you use those words, I see your wife shrink and shake. Do you notice that? You can come across as easily angered and unkind. I hope your wife will be able to share how it sounds to her.”
Maturity
During the final phase of CBT, the client will practice new skills as they go deeper in their relationship with God. CBT is not designed to foster counselor dependence. CBT is not designed to foster counselor dependence. You will notice transference happening when the client's personal and practical relationship with God enables them to leave counseling and function independently of the counselor. Daily integration of Scripture, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and new skills work together to maintain the client's stability and deepen their relationship with God.
The ultimate aim of Cognitive Biblical Therapy is not merely to resolve immediate presenting problems, relieve symptoms, or adjust behaviors, but to facilitate long-term spiritual growth and sanctification. While a counselor provides initial facilitation and guidance, CBT is intentionally structured to avoid long-term counselor dependence, where reliance shifts away from the human counselor and therapeutic techniques and transfers directly to God, Jesus Christ, and the indwelling Holy Spirit. This transference provides the opportunity of inward sanctification (2 Corinthians 3:18-20) and away from self-sufficiency to a daily walk with God, trusting and surrendering to His will and way. They have come to understand 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 after practicing new spiritual and relational skills as a part of their new reality.
As dependence on the Holy Spirit deepens, the client experiences internal growth and develops the practical skills needed to apply the Agape love Biblical norms. The person engages with God and His Word through spiritual activities, including the Process of Patience, discerning His will and way through His Word and prayerful mindfulness. They become equipped to navigate life challenges while operating under divine authority rather than emotional influence or ill motives (Hebrews 13:20-21; Ephesians 4:15-16).
Ultimately, this Spirit-led transformation leads to relational freedom, holiness, and true God-centered progressive maturity. The client leaves the counseling setting certain in how to engage the Lord, able to problem-solve and speak the truth in love. When the client struggles to discern their part of an issue, surrender their will and/or apply the qualities of God’s love, the counselor can do prayerful assessment, challenge the client to dig deeper into the Biblical norms and/or be referred for medical evaluation to comprehend what may be in their way with their growth.
If so desired, you can review the Glossary of Terms such as, sanctification, spiritual growth, transference and spiritual transformation as a means to increase your understanding of maturity. Consider what does maturity look and sound like? Consider looking for signs or fruits of maturity, what can be observed or even measured. Moral thinking and behavior can be a sign of maturity, primarily when they are produced by a surrendered heart and mind to God’s Agape love. Other times, family or friends may notice a difference about their outward demeanor and/or behavioral changes. Point out the differences you notice to encourage the client.