Poetry as a therapeutic avenue

The significance of poetry in the context of pastoral psychology has not, as yet, received the attention it has in professional psychoanalytic literature. The authors of this series (eventually to be published at book-length) provide a terse but extensive review of such research, underscoring the therapeutic value of symbolic,intrapsychic artistry. Religious ideation, as well as other intrapsychic expressions, are incorporated by means of personal therapeutic situations focused on a patient's or client's poetry. With permission, these poems are quoted directly. From this data and their clinical experiences, the authors set forth two modes for considering unconsciously defensive or consciously self-disclosive uses of written poetry in and during psychoanalytic pastoral counseling or psychotherapy.Dr. Christensen is in the private practice of psychiatry, Northbrook, Illinois. He holds senior academic positions at the medical schools of Northwestern University and the University of Illinois, Chicago, as well as the post of Consulting Psychiatrist to The Community Pastoral Counseling and Consultation Center, Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge. Dr. Moss is the Executive Director of The Seabury Institute for Pastoral Psychotherapy, Atlanta. He is also the co-editor ofThe Organization and Administration of Pastoral Counseling Centers, Book Review Editor of theJournal of Religion and Health, and Editor of Artistic Photography forPilgrimage: The Journal of Existential Psychology. Reprint requests should be directed to: All Saints' Episcopal Church, 634 West Peachtree Street, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30308.     

Meditation as a therapeutic technique

Pastoral Psychology -     

Absorption as a therapeutic agent

The process of absorption is therapeutically adaptive for patients in a variety of contexts. Absorption is defined as the temporary loss of self through immersion in an object that eventuates in self-enhancement. Patients who become absorbed in animate and/or inanimate objects are better able to cope with a variety of problems and experience a heightened sense of well-being. Absorption is distinguished from symbiosis, mystic experiences and religion. The recognition, validation and employment of absorption in the analytic session is elucidated.     

Stiffness as a control variable in motor performance

In the experiments described in this article we investigated the control of stiffness of the effector system in relation to parameters of the movement. If the velocity of a movement is chosen, it appears that at the same time the stiffness of the effector system is set to a preferred value. By changing the instruction given to the subject it is possible to change the relationship between velocity and stiffness without changing the kinematic parameters of the movement.Finally, the changes of stiffness and velocity in a learning process are studied. In conformity with what might be expected on intuitive grounds, it is found that velocity increases spontaneously during learning while stiffness decreases. The results are discussed in connection with the generation of motor programmes.     

Cognitive tempo as a Rorschach color variable.

The study investigated the relation of cognitive impulsivity (Kagan, 1966) to color responding on the Rorschach. Chromatic Rorschach Plates II, III, VII, IX and X were administered to 30 male and 43 female subjects. Subjects were then categorized as Impulsive or Reflective according to performance on the Matching Familiar Figures Test.Impulsive subjects made more C and CF responses than Reflective subjects. They also responded more quickly than Reflectives though that difference did not reach significance. The data supported the hypothesis relating impulsivity to color responding. Implications for theories of emotionality and color shock were discussed.     

The therapeutic relationship as a paradoxical experience

The therapeutic relationship exists within multiple levels of reality—including that of ordinary life and that of the therapeutic frame. This interplay between these two levels of reality gives rise to paradoxical experiences for both participants. Certain “principles”; or “rules”; of technique can be understood as a means of enabling the therapist to cope with what is usually referred to as “boundary”; issues. It is essential that the analyst or therapist demonstrate capacity to shift playfully from one level of reality to another. The “rule”; of abstinence and the asymmetry of desire that exists between the two participants are discussed. Gratification within the therapeutic frame is paradoxical in that gratification at one level of reality leads to privation at another level of reality. These paradoxical experiences for both patient and analyst are examined in relation to projective identification and to the analyst's countertransference.     

The therapist's poetry as a therapeutic incident

Poetry can be understood as an intrapsychic record of introspection, and as a means for interpretation in the therapeutic situation. In this installment (the second of a series to be eventually published at book-length) the authors examine from their personal research the uses, as well as dangers, of utilizing poetry in therapy. Poetry should not be used as a gimmick to direct the process of therapy, but as a point of spontaneous interaction, insight, and empathy. Used appropriately, poetry may bring to the client and to the therapist insight and meaning. The therapist may also use his or her own poetry as a creative means for recognizing countertransference in the therapeutic setting.Dr. Moss is an Episcopal Priest and the Executive Director of The Seabury Institute for Pastoral Psychotherapy, Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the co-author ofThe Organization and Administration of Pastoral Counseling Centers and Book Review Editor ofThe Journal of Religion and Health. Dr. Christensen is Senior Consulting Psychiatrist to the Pastoral Psychotherapy Institute, Park Ridge Illinois. In 1981 he was the recipient of the American Association of Pastoral Counselors' Distinguished Contributions Award. This paper was initially presented at the Southeast Regional Conference of The American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Hendersonville, N.C., 1983. Reprint requests should be directed to: The Seabury Institute, 2997 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta, 30305.