East meets west: Implications of using a Biblical Counseling model in collectivistic cultures with self-identified Christians

This qualitative, phenomenological study seeks to explore the utility of the Biblical Counseling model with Chinese Christian communities and to explore the adjustments therapists may need to make when using this model in collectivistic cultures. Little research has investigated the modifications needed to provide culturally competent services using the Biblical Counseling model with self-identified Chinese Christians. Eight to ten biblical counselors were recruited through disseminating flyers at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) and Chinese Biblical Counseling email groups as well as through snowball sampling. Participants who completed the Biblical Counseling training and use it in practicing counseling in Mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan were selected. One hour semi-structured in person or Skype interviews were conducted and the content was transcribed and organized into themes. All participants indicated that counseling self-identified Chinese Christians tends to focus on respecting authority even though many Chinese have been shaped by Western influences. Fear of men and dealing with intergenerational conflicts are two common counseling themes. All participants indicated that some counseling strategies need to be modified when providing clinical services in the collectivistic culture, but the content of the message remain unchanged. The result of this study may facilitate the development of culturally competent BC oriented counseling strategies with Chinese Christian communities.