Human Development
Psychospiritual therapy
Description:
Although psychotherapy and spiritual guidance are usually thought of as separate although related activities, the functions of the two may be combined. Both deal with spiritual and psychological aspects of the person (neither can be artificially excluded when dealing with the other) although emphasis may be different. Such a combination is contrasted with psychospiritual dualism, psychological reductionism and spiritual reductionism which seek to separate the parameters or ignore one of them.One specific example of the combination is in [christotherapy] developed by Bernard Tyrrell. The argument is that Christ is the true healer, not the therapist, and that His healing is intended for the whole person. Christ is present in all healing and growth, whether or not His presence is recognized. Christotherapy actively acknowledges the presence of Christ in the healing process and uses the healing made available through His life, death and resurrection.
The system integrates healing and growth as principles present in Christian revelation with the Spiritual exercises of St Ignatius and the techniques of secular psychotherapy. The first goal is [reformation], with awareness of one's position before God, the reality of rebellion and awareness of the need for the grace of Christ's redemption. This is followed by [conforming], the turning to Christ which follows turning from sin. Conforming the self to the mind of Christ brings a new disposition of heart and mind, allowing growth and deepening in God's love. Then there is [confirmation], or the affirming of death to sin and life as a new creation in Christ. The initial turning from sin is confirmed, the individual seeks to be one with Christ in His suffering and self-sacrifice through service to others. Finally, [transformation] moves from identifying with Christ in His death to contemplating Him in His glory. The Holy Spirit empowers a fuller turning to Christ and transformation in His image.
The therapist uses the methods of: (1) [Existential loving], which affirms the good and immense value of the other person beyond neurosis and sin, and attempts to see the other person as he or she is seen by God. This is a loving of the whole person and must involve liking the person. (2) [Existential diagnosis], which is a discovery of the existential meaning of whatever difficulties are affecting the person seeking help. Here insight is sought into the central beliefs, values and assumptions of the person's life, these generating psychospiritual and physical illness or wholeness. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the aim is to identify the basic errors about what fulfilment is and how it is realized. (3) [Existential appreciation], which, so as not to focus only on problems, involves identifying and reinforcing the qualities in the person that enhance life. (4) [Existential clarification] which, through prayer, meditation, confrontation, encouragement, etc, attempts to provide the best conditions for God's gift of existential understanding leading to replacement of erroneous ways of approaching life with truthful ways and to enhancement of those qualities already reflecting truth and righteousness. (5) [Mind fasting], which is used throughout the therapy and is practised by both therapist and subject of therapy with the aim of becoming a permanent habit. There is focusing on a problem or negative experience and prayer for discernment, leading to insight and commitment to actions associated with this insight. (6) [Spiritual feasting], which is like mind fasting but with the focus on positive experience.