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The 8th Asia Pacific Congress on Pastoral Care & Counseling

Religious and Spiritual Impact in Psychic Process:Implications for Pastoral Psychotherapy
BY Rev. Dr. Joseph George

Introduction by Robert Powell, MD, PhD
The 8th Asia Pacific Congress on Pastoral Care and Counseling , held 7-11 August in Hong Kong, had a specific theme and a lofty objective: "Spiritual Formation of the Human Heart" – Tested Models of Caring and Counseling." Thus the following manuscript by the Rev. Dr. Joseph George, of Bangalore, India, tries to address both issues – personality formation and a tested model – at the same time, which is not an easy task. While many will enjoy his clear outline of how we got to Winnicottian "object relations theory" -- which handles religious rituals quite well – we might as well telegraph Dr. George's conclusion:
"The use of religious rituals in pastoral psychotherapy sessions helps the counsellees:
* to recollect their past experience* to narrate their present experience* to re-narrate their sense of self* to understand the nature of their relationships* to identify areas of conflict* to motivate change in behavior* to experience a sense of hope* to promote conscious self-reflection* to create a space to contain anxiety* to resolve any intrapersonal and interpersonal issues* to gain new direction psychologically and theologically* to reflect a realistic self-image"
One more point: Anton Theophilus Boisen and Helen Flanders Dunbar were both intrigued by the use of religious rituals and symbolism as a means of meeting suffering persons "where they were". Indeed, there must be a reason why "Amazing Grace" has been called "one of the most recognized songs on the planet". Apparently it connects with people. This "connecting" could bear further study. -Robert Powell, MD, PhD
Full text of Dr. George’s presentation can be found at:
http://www.cpsp.org/

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