Page 122 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 3

Christian Psychotherapy

Comment

to “The psychic reality and the
image of God in Christian
Psychotherapy“

Nicolene Joubert

The title of this article points to a relationship between a
Christian based anthropological and ontological reality
(man is created in the image and likeness of God) and
a process of change described in the field of psychology
(psychotherapy). In concordance with the title the author
proposes an approach to psychotherapy that is based in Nicolene Joubert, South Africa,
the Christian anthropology and ontology. psychologist, Founder and head of
The field of Christian psychology and psychotherapy the Institute of Christian Psychology
aims at describing a distinctly Christian view of persons (ICP) near by Johannesburg,
and an articulation of what change is all about. In this Counselling Psychologist in private
article the author contributes to this aim by relating hu- practice, Ph.D. in Psychology
man suffering to a broken relationship with God and em- from Northwest University ZA.
phasising Salvation. The author’s description of soul pain Specialized in trauma therapy and
as a spiritual experience as a result of sin and separation the development of dissociative
from God as well as a psychic experience expressed in identity disorder. Prof Joubert is
anxiety and other clinical symptoms highlights the need the founder and chairperson of the
for psychotherapy that could encompass both levels of South African Society for the Study
experience. of Trauma and Dissociation.
The author’s answer to this need is to fuse the languages
used to describe soul pain, e.g. symptoms of trauma. The
two languages at stake are 1) clinical language (major
symptoms) and 2) Christian anthropological language The author succeeds in conceptualising the soul as a
(there is a break in the self-consciousness as the image of complex entity in contrast to seeing the soul as reason or
God). The author views the fusion of these two languages intellect only. This awareness is essential for developing
as possible and feasible because they represent two mo- a Christian psychotherapy approach. However, under-
des of existence of the soul. The Christian anthropologi- standing and describing the essence of the soul has been
cal view underpinned by the author is the view that the the topic of many debates in philosophical and theolo-
soul has three modes of existence (hypostases), i.e. the gical circles for ages and one should keep in mind that
one that manifests the image of God, the one that repre- different denominations hold different views that should
sents the psychic reality of the person and their psycholo- be respected at all times. In the Protestant theological
gical experience and 3) the one that possesses the healing tradition, for example, a distinction between body and
and recreational energy. This view is not shared by all soul/spirit but no separation/split within the soul entity
Christian denominations but represent a specific Christi- is postulated based on amongst other verses Genesis 2:7.
an tradition and view of the soul. From this point of view Genesis 2: 7 describes how God breathed into the physi-
fusion of the two languages (the clinical and Christian cal form of man, created from dust, to give him life and
anthropological view) is possible. thus the spirit or principle element of man is breathed
Stemming from this view the process of change is embed- into him and not created. The process of man’s creation
ded in the word of the soul that is spoken out in therapy indicates the relation of man to God and his surrounding
and includes the word of the image of God, the word of world (nature).
the psychic reality and the word that strives for restora-
tion and assimilation with God. The task of the therapist Although interesting and stimulating, the article lacks
is to discern the word that strives for restoration and the clear articulation of theological assumptions, the nature
word of the therapist would be directed here. The author of our relationship with God, the role of Jesus Christ in
proposes that a dialogue should develop not only between restoring our relationship with God and the role of the
the therapist and client but also between the different Holy Spirit in the psychotherapy process. In the Protes-
modes of the soul. This proposal is an approach to psy- tant theological tradition, for example, relationships are
chotherapy that could be followed within the framework emphasised in the healing and restoration process, i.e.
of Russian orthodox theology but, if a different Christi- man’s relationship with His Creator, Jesus Christ his Sa-
an anthropology is adhered to, the appropriate different viour, the Holy Spirit his Helper and Advocate, and his
points of departure should be used. relationship with his neighbour, himself and his world.

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