Page 169 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 3

Comment

to “A practical investigation of the
image of Mother of God in Christian
psychotherapy of trauma”

Shannon Wolf

Dr. Shannon Wolf, USA, is a professor of
Psychology and Counseling at Dallas Bap-
Marina Truganova examines the use of religious icons in
working with female clients who have a history of trau- tist University in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Wolf is
ma. Marina correctly observes that many times individu- also the director of a clinical practice.
als have knowledge of God but lack an intimate relati-
onship with Him; therefore God is seemingly disengaged
and uninterested in offering comfort. By using the icon
“Seeker of the Perishing”, the author is able to initiate a
discussion of current views of God and introduce the
notion that peace, protection and love can be found in a
relationship with Him.

Christian therapists have long recognized the power of
including a spiritual dimension in the healing process.
When individuals recognize the Lord as a source of
strength and comfort, therapy has the ability to be much
more profound and healing occurs on a much more fun-
damental level. Essentially, God does indeed make a diffe-
rence in the outcome of therapy; something that Marina’s
study alluded to and other research has confirmed.

A passing but insightful comment made in the introduc-
tion of the essay mentions that faith needs to be much
more than a cognitive function. In truth, meaningful
faith is a matter of both the intellect and the heart. For
the Hebrews, the term knowing God connotes a deep in-
timate relationship with the Lord; a knowing that inclu-
des an understanding of Scripture as well as an awareness clients in working through issues that create barriers to
of God’s character. Without the relationship, knowledge God. A key focus would be on engaging both the emo-
is mere dry knowledge – facts that leave the individual tions and the intellect. It is possible that these suggestions
empty. Conversely, a relationship built solely on emotion were part of the study; however, such descriptions were
is nothing more than fluff without real depth. Wise cli- not included in the essay.
nicians recognize the need for both knowledge and rela-
tionship and work purposefully in assisting the client to It is clear that Marina recognizes that talk therapy alone
achieve both. is not always able to move the heart. Ergo, experiential
techniques should be included in the therapist’s plans for
Personally, I found the premise of the experiential tech- treatment. That said, care must be taken when employing
nique described by Marina quite interesting. While the such techniques. Individuals approach therapy with all
foundation of the exercise is intriguing, a few adjust- manner of assumptions of God, hence, clinicians would
ments might make it even more effective. Although be wise to conduct a thorough assessment and do found-
Marina describes discussing the Mother of God and the ational work before using such interventions. In addition,
Christ Child when introducing the technique, there is views of God are as unique as the individuals for whom
no mention of offering guidance during the interventi- we care. For that reason alone, the use of the exercise out-
on or following the task of coloring the icon. Perhaps the lined in the essay should be personally fitted to match the
technique would be more powerful if clients are promp- individual client. To conclude, the technique outlined in
ted to verbally process as they participate in the exercise the essay seems to be a valuable addition to the clinician’s
and then debriefed upon completion of the picture. Du- repertoire and should be considered when addressing
ring this process, therapists should be prepared to assist matters of faith.

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