The Bible and medicine are closely interrelated. You ask Dr. Paul Tournier. He’s a physician, psychotherapist, and author, who’s quite known in the field of pastoral counseling. In his medical practice and books, he always cited the therapeutic role of the Bible for the “medicine of persons.” Insightfully, he wrote: “Of the meaning of things,… Continue reading The Bible and Medicine
Category: Spirituality and Psychotherapy
How Reality Is Lost or Obscured
Especially in addictions, reality is lost or obscured in a person’s mind. It’s typical and common, among a wide assortment of addictions existing nowadays. Ravi Zacharias, who died a few months ago, was a brilliant mind in Bible apologetics and ethics and noted author of books. He has been in the news headlines for the… Continue reading How Reality Is Lost or Obscured
Unrealistic Expectations Are Unhealthy
Unrealistic expectations are unhealthy. They can be a heavy burden. It’s not easy or light, psychologically. “He’s an impossible boss doc. Even with positive results, you won’t hear him say ‘Good job!’ remarked Boris of the unrealistic expectations of his employer. A once-dedicated 21-year-old budding writer loses his love for the art. It’s because he’s… Continue reading Unrealistic Expectations Are Unhealthy
Your Mission Gives Your Life Meaning
Your mission gives your life meaning. It fulfills one of life’s “ultimate concerns.” Look what happens when you don’t have a mission. A purpose … a meaning … in your journey of life. Dr. Viktor Frankl, founder of Logotherapy, calls it various names: “malaise of the soul,” “existential vacuum,” “existential frustration.” Or, in simple language,… Continue reading Your Mission Gives Your Life Meaning
You Can Control Your Emotions
Whether you can believe it or not, you can control your emotions. Countless times, this issue has always been a primal concern of wounded individuals in my sessions. Especially true for those who have been abused or traumatized since early years. Carlos was stuck last night. Still in much tears. He’d feel the same emotions… Continue reading You Can Control Your Emotions
Acceptance Versus Resignation
Acceptance versus resignation Acceptance doesn’t mean passive resignation. They’re two different things. Acceptance is a key psychological concept in psychotherapy and life recovery. It’s an internal attitude in effectively coping with trauma, abuse, or any tough situation. But most of the time, it has to be clarified and explained. Noel is stumbling beneath a deep… Continue reading Acceptance Versus Resignation
The Illusion of Control
The illusion of control was something I could do little about for Alan. Alan was 40 and had been referred to me by a medical doctor from a large hospital. I only had a first session with him. He refused to cooperate in therapy. He came to me in extremis – abandonment of his wife… Continue reading The Illusion of Control
Dealing With Physical Decline
Dealing with physical decline as time passes is an inevitable developmental task. It makes order of your mental health and happiness. The rest of your life, actually. When I met John, my attorney classmate in high school, during his radio program, he beamed, “My, you’ve not changed, Angelo! What’s the secret?” I delighted in hearing… Continue reading Dealing With Physical Decline
Worth of Your Past
What is the worth of your past? Awhile ago I was having a virtual session with Rose on Skype. She’s a woman with a painful past. Years before she migrated to Canada, she suffered varied kinds of abuse in the family. Not just physically and emotionally. There’s also sexual abuse (rape) of a relative. That… Continue reading Worth of Your Past
Facts of Life Are for Everyone
Facts of life are for everyone. Especially in the basic ebb and flow of our daily living. In psychotherapy, there are always themes processed that are the same for everyone. Psychotherapist and author Dr. Jeffrey Kottler writes, “Even the most creative, inventive, and impulsive clinician will teach similar lessons to all her clients … Regardless… Continue reading Facts of Life Are for Everyone
