Page 141 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 13

its effect on the therapeutic relationships. She internal locus of control. Many religious beliefs
also encouraged observation on the client’s sty- enhance hopefulness, optimism and positive
le of relating and its meaning on the therapeutic thinking.
relationship. “The therapist´s role is analogous As Dr. Koskela spoke on Forgiveness and Health,
to that of a mother who provides her child with he remarked how people, who forgive others,
a secure base from which to explore the world” have a better physical and mental health. They
(John Bowlby). Dr. Möller described four ma- also practice less rumination and hence present
xims or conditions for therapeutic change. Most with less depression, anxiety, anger, hate and
attachment-oriented therapists would probably resentment. In addition, they have better relati-
agree on the following statements: onships with partners, family members, work-
(1) Insecure, ambivalent, avoidant, or disor- mates/colleagues and within societies as well as
ganized early attachment experiences are real an overall better spiritual well-being (Everett
events which can substantially and destruc- Worthington).
tively shape a client‘s emotional and relational
development (the client‘s adult problems don‘t Joachim Kristahn, a Psychologist and Psycho-
originate in childhood-based fantasies). therapist from Germany spoke on a topic of,
(2) The attachment pattern learned in early What the Therapist Should Know If They Have
childhood experiences will play out in psycho- a Client with ADHD? The children with ADHD
therapy. have a significantly higher risk to be diagnosed
(3) The right brain/limbic (unconscious, emo- with a social disorder in their youth as well
tional, intuitive) interaction of the psychothera- as be diagnosed with an antisocial personali-
pist and client is more important than cognitive ty disorder in adulthood. While people come
or behavioral suggestions from the therapist; to counseling and therapy due to multiple life
the psychotherapist‘s emotionally charged ver- difficulties, an undetected ADHD may play an
bal and nonverbal, psychobiological attune- important part. Such persons have been misun-
ment to the client and to his/her own internal derstood by others, and they have experienced
triggers is critical to effective therapy. criticism and resistance from teachers, parents
(4) Reparative enactments of early attachment and colleagues. The challenge for the therapist
experiences, co-constructed by therapist and is to see the client’s inner pain. Together, they
client, are fundamental to healing can bring that pain to Jesus. Another challen-
Harri Koskela, Th.D/ Psy.D candidate from ge for the therapist is to see and appreciate the
Finland, introduced his research study entitled client’s strenghts. The goal of therapy is to re-
Connection between Religiosity and Mental new the client’s self-image and strengthen their
Wellbeing in a Finnish Sample. The research self-confidence and trust in God. The therapeu-
results appear similar to research conducted in tic relationship, strengthening and upbuilding
other countries, according to the Handbook of words, encouragement, looking the person
Religion and Health. The findings indicate for in the eye as well as providing a pleasant and
example the following: Religious persons are joyful atmosphere all bring about corrective
less likely to get divorced and they are more li- experiences. At the same time, the therapist
kely to have stable, intact families. Religiously and client need to consider practical strategies,
committed persons use less alcohol and drugs which help the ADHD client to work through
and have a better physical health, which in- life challenges.
creases mental health. Religiosity also increases Ulla Dahlen (Ph.D) from Finland addressed The
the experiences of hope, meaning and purpose Impact of Severe Client Trauma Experiences
in life. Religious activities, such as participati- on Therapist and Therapeutic Relationship:
on in worship services, various prayer and Bible Case Example from Female Genital Cutting
study groups and volunteering increase well- Research. In severe cases of trauma, secondary
ness at all age groups. Religious communities traumatic stress is a risk for the therapist. The
offer social support. Most research studies have therapist’s feelings and symptoms begin to look
found religious persons to have a life-governing like those of the client. They have difficulty set-
ting boundaries, as the client is constantly on
139