In this writing we are going to analyze, compare and contrast two psychological works: How to Be a People Helper by Gary R. Collins and Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.

These three authors are licensed clinical psychologists with a PhD who have broad range of experiences in giving psychological courses, private practices leadership consulting and developing their own psychological programs for personal intellectual development.

According to the cite information devoted to the psychologists, Henry Cloud and John Townsend developed the Ultimate Leadership Program, an effective workshop designed to accelerate the personal and professional growth of businesspeople, pastors, ministry, and small-group leaders. So, their work is mostly aimed at assistance in developing personal leadership qualities (Dr. Henry Cloud).

As far as Gary R. Collins is concerned, since 1991 he has been one of the leaders of the fledgling American Association of Christian Counselors. He is also the founder of the official AACC magazine Christian Counseling Today. Much time has he been devoting to developing Christian counseling and Christian coaching worldwide. As well as his colleagues Henry Cloud and John Townsend, he pays much attention to studying the psychological aspects of leadership. So, to his other responsibilities, he currently holds a position as Distinguished Professor of Coaching and Leadership at Richmond Graduate University (formerly Psychological Studies Institute) in Atlanta and Chattanooga (Meet Gary Collins).

According to Dr. Gary R. Collins, the Bible is the best means of learning how to help other people with their problems. However, the majority of those having the desire to become a people helper do not know how to apply Scripture and the basics of the Christian faith to life.  “Most of the problems we encounter in counseling are far too diverse and complex to be solved by quoting a Bible verse or by applying some pat biblical formula,” writes Dr. Collins (8). Nevertheless, he states that Bible is able to give the main direction and many clear principles which enable the person to assist others in solving their problems. Thus, the psychologist Gary R. Collins considers the expression of civilian humanity to be closely related to main biblical principals, e. g. his people helper is naturally a Christian people helper.

The book How to Be a People Helper by Gary R. Collins is addressed to those who wish to develop people-helping counseling skills. First, it deals with different types of counseling approaches. The author means to convey the idea that there are no limits to our capability to help people solve their problems. He speaks about advantages and disadvantages of various approaches adding that these approaches can easily complement each other.

Dr. Collins emphasizes here that both laypeople and clergy are eligible for helping people. Moreover, he admits that lay-counseling may be even more useful than professional one. Because while professional psychological help is vital in dangerous life-threatening situations, lay-counseling is the matter of everyday life and, therefore, is compulsory as the means of keeping people in a healthy psychological state in their everyday routine. To add, he considers that psychological help should not be a mere treatment with the help of tests and pills. According to the psychologist, compassionate and responsive attitude of a close friend who is always ready and available is much more effective and encourages fast spiritual healing and recovery. So, much attention does he devote to friends’ helping as the most effective type of counseling (16).