The Relations Between Psychotherapy and Pastoral Care: Conjunction and Distinction of Two Connected Fields

Bergen, Miriam Elisabeth (2023) The Relations Between Psychotherapy and Pastoral Care: Conjunction and Distinction of Two Connected Fields. Master thesis, Psychology.

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Abstract

Psychotherapy is nowadays known as the dominant mental health care provider, but this was not always the case. Pastoral care is the practice of offering help with inner problems from a Christian worldview which used to be the primary form of mental health care in the Middle Ages. When looking into the history of both practices, we can observe connections between the fields but also boundary work from agents of each discipline. In this research, I examined what the academic literature from the fields of psychology, theology and history says about the conjunction and the distinction of psychotherapy and pastoral care. A literature search was conducted as well as two Interviews with pastoral care practitioners to compare the findings of the literature with the lived experience of pastoral care. The findings revealed shared goals, similarities in attitudes and methods, and potential for collaboration. Further, differences in the settings of the practice, client expectations, and theoretical foundations were found. While historically boundaries were present, the findings showed that there is rather a trading zone between them, pointing towards their exchange of ideas. As both practices can learn from each other, a closer working collaboration would be useful. Keywords: Psychotherapy, Pastoral Care, Religion

Item Type:	Thesis (Master)
Supervisor name:	Mulberger Rogele, A.C.
Degree programme:	Psychology
Differentiation route:	Theory and History of Psychology [Master Psychology]
Date Deposited:	31 Jul 2023 13:39
Last Modified:	31 Jul 2023 13:43
URI:	http://gmwpublic.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/2693

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