Page 151 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 6
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Christian Psychotherapy
Olga Krasnikova (Russia) Olga Krasnikova,
Comment to counseling psycho-
logist, psychology
“A Case Study: How lecturer, assistant
rector at the Institu-
Individual Therapy te of Christian Psy-
can help with Marital chology (Moscow)
and author of publi-
Problems“ cations and books
on personal deve-
lopment.
Saara Kinnunen has described a very interesting
and illustrative case of psychotherapy practice.
Indeed, depression, panic attacks and emo- agonist” of the psychotherapy process, out of
tional exhaustion are frequent consequences reverence for God and the mystery of what is
of problems connected with inadequate self- taking place in the client‘s soul. We can not con-
esteem, excessive self-expectations and failure fidently distinguish between the changes which
to set healthy personal boundaries. have occurred as a result of psychotherapy and
Important steps of therapeutic work are cla- those that happened by God‘s direct volition,
rifying the conditions of personal development but initially we believe that all that happens in
in childhood and realizing the specifics of rela- personal life takes place by God‘s will or by His
tionships with parents in childhood and at pre- allowance. Still, the meaning of what is happe-
sent. ning may remain a mystery.
We can note the differences in conducting I highly appreciate the analysis given by the
Christian psychotherapy sessions in Russia and author of Anna‘s psychological changes: how
in the example presented by Saara Kinnunen. her self-attitude has been changing, as well as
These differences may be the subject of spe- the attitude to the relations with her husband
cial discussion, but now I would like to mark and with the church community. It was a joy to
out some distinctive features. In the Orthodox read that finally personal changes in one of the
tradition there is a practice of shared prayer spouses had a beneficial impact on the couple
and praying by agreement, but in the work of relations.
Christian psychologist it is not a required part Unfortunately, it is not always so. Sometimes,
of therapy. The psychologist may devote some starting the therapy, we have to warn our clients
time at the session to joint prayer at the client‘s that their personal changes may have unpredic-
request, but as a rule he does not suggest him- table consequences for their marital relations,
self or insist on the prayer. At the same time, the as the second spouse, who refuses to go through
psychologist can pray for his client at his will couple therapy and does not recognize the exi-
and in his private spiritual practice, asking for sting problems, can offer resistance to any
wisdom and God‘s help for them. changes. As a result, the client or his partner
In other words, the spiritual component of Chri- may consider the further marital relations im-
stian psychotherapy in Russia is reflected not so possible. And here we are facing one more pro-
much in certain actions (praying together), but blem that has to be considered and discussed by
more in a general Christian-anthropological Christian psychologists: what is more valuable
approach to the human person, to personal de- from spiritual point of view – personal develop-
velopment, human suffering, to the meaning of ment, or saving the marriage at any cost?
life. In that way we express our respect to client‘s I am grateful to Saara Kinnunen, that her con-
freedom concerning his spiritual life. tribution has raised so many questions for me.
In the Orthodox therapeutic tradition we are In my opinion, such presentation of case studies
also not used to speaking of “God‘s interven- creates an excellent basis for future discussion,
tion”, that is, considering God to be the “prot- as it makes clear our diversity and similarity.
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