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consensus. In view of the suggestive influence standard for finding the truth, it should then
of the helper with his superior specialist know- follow that prayer, charisms and the revealed
ledge and superior experience, it is important word of God should have a place in therapy.
for the protection of the patient that the thera- Are there other, further-reaching treatment
pist differentiates between what he, as an expert, aims in Christian therapy, e.g.
knows to be necessary (instrumental aims) and
value judgements (final aims). Only with the in- • besides the aim of detecting resentment,
strumental aims is it permissible for the thera- learning to articulate it and deal adequately
pist to appeal to his expert knowledge; the final with it, the further aim of be able to forgive?
aims must be negotiated in partnership. • besides the aim of overcoming anxiety, the
If conflicts between the envisaged aims arise further aim of developing a deep trust in
(which is not unusual at all), there are two pos- God?
sibilities: • besides the aim of freedom from the slave-
ry of dysfunctional life concepts (i.e. from
• to seek minimum aims or compulsory aims idolatry), also a commitment to the living
and, after reaching them, to evaluate the God?
work so far and to examine whether further
aims should be set and Could these aims be therapy aims, or are they
• in the case of unbridgeable discrepancies to already life aims which lie outside the therapy?
decide against beginning or continuing the And if they are therapy aims, should the the-
therapy (which must in no way be linked to rapist then make a clear change of roles from
a de-valuing of the client). classical therapist to brother or priest?
How can Christian life aims successfully be gi-
Aims of Christian psychotherapy? ven a place in a therapy in such a way that spi-
The possibility of extending and re-assessing the ritual freedom is preserved, and without by the
range of methods in Christian psychotherapy gradient of power between therapist and client
is a logical conclusion: if God is present in the enticing one into over-hasty and unhealthy ad-
treatment with His healing love, the Holy Spirit aptation processes?
wishes to work and Holy Scripture is seen as the

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