Pastoral Psychology

A Study in the Care of Souls
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-98998-3
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 230 Seiten, Format (B × H): 138 mm x 216 mm, Gewicht: 590 g

Reihe: Psychology Revivals

Originally published in 1951, unlike most books dealing with psychology and pastoral work at the time, this work is not concerned solely with the application of psycho-therapeutic principles to the work of the minister. It is dominated by the need for the pastoral care which the normal member of the Church needs. The author’s foremost aim is to show that pastoral psychology should find its own techniques; even if it uses the experiences of psychotherapy, it is to be considered as an independent form of personality treatment.

His introductory chapter deals with the relationships between psychology and the care of souls and gives a historical survey. He then deals with the help that medical psychology can give pastoral psychology and gives an excellent chapter on methods of treatment. The problem of scepticism which Bergsten says can often be considered as a neurotic symptom, and the problem of real and apparent guilt are treated exhaustively and in a particularly fresh manner. He is very critical of the Freudian doctrine of sublimation. In his treatment of the dream problem Bergsten stresses the similarity between dream and drama and compares the dream with an old mystery play, which shows the way out of the actual conflict. Finally, he deals with Mental Illness and Religion and gives advice for the relatives of those who are mentally ill.

Pastoral Psychology deals thoroughly with every aspect of the subject in a fresh and vivid manner. At the time it was a book from which the professional psychiatrist was thought to gain as much as the Minister or Pastor.

Zielgruppe

Adult education, General, and Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Bergsten, Gote

Bergsten, Göte

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Christentum, Christliche Theologie Praktische Theologie Seelsorge, Pastoraltheologie
• Sozialwissenschaften Psychologie Psychotherapie / Klinische Psychologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Religionswissenschaft Religionswissenschaft Allgemein Soziallehre und Sozialethik, Pastoral und Seelsorge

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Foreword.  Part 1: The Responsibilities and Limitations of the Task 1. Principles and Methods 2. Psychology and the Care of Souls 3. From Medicina Clerica to Pastoral Psychology 4. Methods of Treatment 5. The Care of Souls and the Unconscious 6. Pastoral Advice  Part 2: Concerning Confession 1. Christian Confession 2. True Confession 3. Confession and Penance 4. Evangelical Casuistry 5. Confession and Scrupulosity 6. The Dangers of Confession  Part 3: The Psychology of Unbelief 1. The Source of Religious Need 2. Popular Belief and Unbelief 3. Unbelief in the Individual 4. Doubt and Religious Development 5. Religion and Self-Deception  Part 4: Guilt and the Fear of Punishment 1. Morality and Fear of Punishment 2. Disguises of the Fear of Punishment 3. The Real Guilt Feeling  Part 5: Symptomatic Religiosity in Neurosis and Insanity 1. Who is Normal? 2. Symptomatic Religiosity 3. The Mentally Diseased 4. The Religious Element in Mental Disease 5. The Spiritual Care of the Insane 6. The Religious Depression 7. Asceticism and Spiritual Training  Part 6: The Psychology of Conversion and Growth in Grace 1. Conversion and Growth in Grace 2. The Problem of Sublimation 3. Faith or Suggestion? 4. Man at the Frontier. Index.

Über Autor(innen)

Göte Bergsten (d.1954) was, at the time of original publication, Superintendent and Chaplain of St. Lukasstiftelsens (St. Luke’s Foundation), Institute for Psychology and Spiritual Counsel, Stockholm.