Religion and Spirituality in Psychiatry

Psychotherapy from a Christian Perspective 289changes. It is conceptual narrowness of the worstkind to assume that all patients can be treatedwith the same approach.At this point, we must emphasize the understandingthat we derive from the Bible abouttime. In the dimension of the supernatural, thereare no dimensions of time and space as we knowthem. Therefore, God is the Lord of time. Thismeans that he can take us back in time, in away that is impossible without his involvement.God’s intervention allows us to heal events in thepast as we relive them. This ability to supernaturallywarp time back on itself is the basis forwhat is called inner healing. Because change isto be effected in different ways, we should alsoknow that the time approach and focus would bevariable. Christians cannot ignore the past, forin it are buried the experiences that determineresponses in the present and their anticipationof the future. Christian therapists must, therefore,examine the objective reality of the patient’spresent situation to determine the significance ofthe subjectively remembered past. The intellectualand emotional knowledge thus gained canbe used to help the patient understand his currentdysfunctional thinking and behavior. Afterthe therapist and patient together have examinedtheir findings in the light of the biblical ideal, it isthen possible to undertake the necessary modificationsin thinking and behavior.3.6. The Therapist’s TaskThe task of the Christian psychotherapist is moreformidable than that of the dynamic, behavioral,or experiential therapist. He must not only beable to determine the meaning of unconsciousmental conflict, but he also must program,reward, inhibit, or shape behavioral responses toanxiety-producing stimuli. In addition, he mustinteract in a mutually accepting atmosphereto help arouse of self-expression. He begins byestablishing an atmosphere of mutual acceptanceto encourage the patient’s self-expression. Tobe effective in this task, the therapist must be amature Christian who is able to interact with thepatient in a nonjudgmental, caring way. He hasto accept the patient as he is and care for him inspite of his problems.Such caring demands nothing and has as itsconcern the best interests and welfare of the otherperson. It is nonsexual, not exploitive, and eternal(Ps. 136:1). The bond established will be greaterif both the therapist and patient are Christians.At the beginning, the therapist must determinethe nature of the patient’s relationship with Godand/or his level of maturity in the Christian faith.This demands a thorough knowledge of spiritualdevelopment. Because of the relationship, thetherapist is able to shape behavioral responseswhen necessary.3.5. Type of TreatmentLittle has been written about the type and durationof treatment that Christian psychotherapistsshould employ. Secular therapists use longtermintense, long-term not intense, short-termintense, or short-term not intense. As we haveexamined the activities of Christian therapists, itappears that they use different types determinedby the patient’s need. In many instances, a singleencounter may be sufficient. In others, it maybe necessary to see the patient up to sixty timesto bring about healing. Patients with addictions,eating disorders, deviant sexuality, and borderlinepersonalities are most likely to require longtermtherapy.3.7. Primary Tools and MethodsOnce the appropriate atmosphere has beenestablished and the therapist has determinedthe level at which he and the patient can relate,he must explore the areas of conflict and determinetheir genesis. In many cases, it will benecessary to strip away defenses by which thepatient maintains repression of the experiencesthat have given rise to his or her symptoms.Christians are particularly prone to deny conflict,simply because it is not compatible withtheir idea of Christian perfection. Having beentaught that Christians should not get angry orhate, think lustful thoughts, should always love,and should not fornicate or commit adultery,