Siang Yang Tan states that the Holy Spirit is essential when it comes to the work of the Christian therapist. The Holy Spirit is the counsellor, comforter, helper and advocate.
Siang Yang Tan talks about how the work and the ministry of the Holy Spirit can be understood in 3 different ways; the Spirit’s truth, power and fruit. The truth refers to John 14:26 which says that the Holy Spirit will teach you all things and bring to remembrance all that it has said to you. The Holy Spirit’s power, we understand as Christians that the spirit is essential to life and ministry and we are commanded to be continuously filled with the spirit (Ephesians 5:18). This was my favourite part of what Siang Yang Tan had said “To be filled with the spirit is to yield to the Spirit, allowing the spirit to take control and shape us to become more like Jesus and to empower us to do the works of Jesus, which can include counselling.” Then we move onto the fruit. Naturally we think of the fruit of spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, love, joy, patience, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
In the interview they had about mental health and the church, Siang Yan Tan was asked the questions of what kinds of struggles he sees within churches and he said the major struggles are the same that we have in society, depression, anxiety, stress, marital problems, parenting. The thing that struck me the most was that he said not all issues should be deal in the church. All churches should have a good referral system of good Christian counsellors, psychiatrists and professionals. He recognizes that not all pastors are equipped to handle certain issues and they shouldn’t try. This can cause more harm than good.
Siang Yang Tan has some brilliant insight into the role of the Holy Spirit and how that really plays a huge impact in counselling but also that there are limits within the church context in dealing with specific issues that a training professional can help with.