Biblical Counseling Goals and Focus Forms
Many biblical counselors (myself included) often use a four-page Personal Information Form (PIF) with new counselees. In a church setting, I’ve often found that lengthy forms like this feel a tad too “professional,” “clinical” and “impersonal” for some parishioners. I’ll never forget when a “Sr. Saint” said to me, decades ago:
“I have to fill out a form to talk to my Pastor? I’m not sure how they do things where you came from, but we’ve never done that around here.”
That’s when I decided to create the Biblical Counseling Goals and Focus Forms.
Introducing the Goals and Focus Form (GFF)
We could certainly debate the value and even necessity of the lengthier Personal Information Form. And I often use them—but most of the times with a church member I use them after the first meeting.
Before the first meeting, I’ll often use the much more user-friendly one-page form: The Biblical Counseling Goals and Focus Form (GFF). If someone I know from my church wants to meet with me for counseling, to keep the process personal, I’ll say something like this to introduce the GFF:
“I’d be happy to meet with you. And when we connect, I want to hear more about what you’re wrestling with. I’d also like to be praying for you between now and when we meet. Many people have found it very helpful for them—and for me—to focus, by completing a very brief, five-question form asking you about what you’d like us to focus on when we connect. Could you take a few minutes to complete this form and get it back to me before we meet…?”
I’ve never had anyone object to this. And I’ve found that the information on the GFF provides us with enough content to cover during several meetings. Then, after we’ve connected a few times, if it’s clear that we’ll be doing some ongoing counseling, I’ll typically ask them to complete the longer Personal Information Form. By then, we’ve connected, and they are comfortable taking the time to provide the additional information.
Also, at the conclusion of our counseling meetings, we return to the GFF. This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate together God’s gracious work in their lives.
Available Free Online
I’ll outline several versions of the GFF below. If you’d like to download a copy of each of the forms, you can do so here: Biblical Counseling Goals and Focus Forms. And here’s a shortened link in case you’d like to share this with others: https://bit.ly/2021BCGFF4
You have my permission to replicate the forms. They are derived from my books:
Below, I outline four different versions:
- Individual Counseling GFF.
- Marriage Counseling GFF.
- Family Counseling GFF—that the parents complete.
- Family Counseling GFF—that the adolescent completes.
As you’ll see in the free download, the form that I give to counselees provides space between each question, and covers one page. By the time most people complete the five questions, they have taken two pages. In the outlines below, to preserve space, the questions are placed together with reduced line spacing.
Biblical Counseling Goals and Focus Form: Individual Counseling
1. What are the main reasons that you want to meet with a biblical counselor? What are you facing that you would like help with?
2. Tell us more about the history of what you’re facing:
a. How long has this issue existed? Were there any significant events occurring in your life/family’s life when this issue began?
b. What pain or suffering has this issue brought into your life? What main emotions/feelings has all of this stirred up in your soul? How would things be different for you if the issue were remedied?
c. How has this issue impacted your relationship to Christ? What have you prayed to God about regarding this area of your life? What biblical principles have you sought to apply as you face this issue?
3. What are the top 2 or 3 areas in your heart, actions, attitude, and relationships that you want help changing so that your life can be even more Christlike and Christ-honoring as you face this issue?
4. Let’s create an Ephesians 3:14-21 vision for your life (please read Ephesians 3:14-21).
a. Think ahead 3 months or 3 years. As God does exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or imagine in your heart and in this situation, what 2 or 3 amazing changes are you envisioning, praying for, and hoping for?
b. What needs to happen in your heart and life so that through Christ’s strength these amazing changes could start occurring?
5. What else do you want us to know, think about, or focus on in our times together?
Biblical Marriage Counseling Goals and Focus Form
1. What are the top 2 or 3 areas in your heart, actions, attitude, and way of relating to your spouse that you want help changing so that you can be more Christlike and your marriage can be more Christ-honoring?
2. What are your top 2 or 3 strengths that you see in your spouse that you want to affirm?
3. What are the top 2 or 3 aspects of your marriage that you want help changing so that your marriage can be more Christ-honoring?
4. Let’s create an Ephesians 3:14-21 vision for your marriage (please read Ephesians 3:14-21).
a. Think ahead 3 months. As God does exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or imagine in your heart and in your marriage, what 2 or 3 amazing changes are you envisioning, praying for, and hoping for?2
b. What needs to happen in your heart and in your relationship so that through Christ’s strength these amazing changes start occurring?
5. What else do you want us to know, think about, or focus on in our times together?
Biblical Family Counseling Goals and Focus Forms: Parents
1. What are the top 2 or 3 areas in your heart, actions, attitude, and way of relating to your children that you want help changing so that you can be more Christlike and your family relationships can be more Christ-honoring?
2. What are the top 2 or 3 strengths that you see in each of your children that you want to affirm?
3. What are the top 2 or 3 aspects of your family life that you want help changing so that your family can be more Christ-honoring?
4. Let’s create an Ephesians 3:14-21 vision for your family (please read Ephesians 3:14-21).
a. Think ahead 3 months. As God does exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or imagine in your heart and in your family, what 2 or 3 amazing changes are you envisioning, praying for, and hoping for?
b. What needs to happen in your heart and in your family relationship so that through Christ’s strength these amazing changes start occurring?
5. What else do you want us to know, think about, or focus on in our times together?
Biblical Family Counseling Goals and Focus Form: Adolescent
1. What are the top 2 or 3 areas in your heart, actions, attitude, and way of relating to your parents that you want help changing so that you can be more Christlike and your family relationships can be more Christ-honoring?
2. What are the top 2 or 3 strengths/positive characteristics that you see in your parents that you want to affirm?
3. What are the top 2 or 3 aspects of your family life that you want help changing so that your family can be more Christ-honoring?
4. Let’s create an Ephesians 3:14-21 vision for your family (please read Ephesians 3:14-21).
a. Think ahead 3 months. As God does exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or imagine in your heart and in your family, what 2 or 3 amazing changes are you envisioning, praying for, and hoping for?
b. What needs to happen in your heart and in your family relationship so that through Christ’s strength these amazing changes start occurring?
5. What else do you want us to know, think about, or focus on in our times together?
Join the Conversation
What do you think about using shorter forms like the GFF?
What do you think are some strengths of the GFF? Any weaknesses?
If you had only 5 questions, what would you ask a first-time counseling?
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