Description
Despite astute critiques and available resources for alternative modes of thinking and practising, individualism continues to be a dominating and constraining ideology in the field of pastoral psychotherapy and counselling. Philip Rieff was one of the first to highlight the negative implications of individualism in psychotherapeutic theories and practices. As heirs and often enthusiasts of the Freudian tradition of which Rieff and others are critical, pastoral theologians have felt the sting of his charge, and yet the empirical research that McClure presents shows that pastoral-counselling practitioners resist change. Their attempts to overcome an individualistic perspective have been limited and ineffective because individualism is embedded in the field's dominant theological and theoretical resources, practices, and organizational arrangements. Only a radical reappraisal of these will make possible pastoral counselling practices in a post-individualistic mode. McClure proposes several critical transformations: broadening and deepening the operative theologies used to guide the healing practice, expanding the role of the pastoral counsellor, reimagining the operative anthropology, reclaiming sin and judgement, nuancing the particular against the individual, rethinking the ideal outcome of the practices, and reimagining the organizational structures that support the practices. Only this level of revisioning will enable this ministry of the church to move beyond its individualistic limitations and offer healing in more complex, effective, and socially adequate ways.
Details
Publisher -
Author(s) - Barbara J. McClure | Barbara J. McClure
Paperback
Published Date -
ISBN - 9780718892456
Dimensions - 22.9 x 15.2 x 1.6 cm
Page Count - 304
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