Psychoterapia a doświadczenie moralne człowieka

Abstract

Psychology and psychiatry do not always deal with the states of grave handicap that call for radical interventions in man's psyche or else neural structure. They often have to treat various neuroses, depressions, obsessions, and psychical traumas whose causes are numerous. Their therapy presupposes some clear anthropological principles. Man psychic sphere remains in an intimate relation with the understanding of man’s nature, of his needs and existential presuppositions. Thus, as long as the aetiology of psychic problems is linked with the biological and physiological neuronal structure, a therapy is subjected to general medical criteria and is considerably based on pharmacological means. Today only in some exceptional cases it consists in neurosurgical interventions or the like. In many cases mental disorders are linked with psychological and spiritual experiences, and their underlying structure transcends what is merely biological and physiological. The decisive role in a therapy is then played by interpersonal contacts (e.g. therapy groups or psychosocial support). A specific group of problems arises in the context of tensions and spiritual, cultural, religious, and moral „strains” An essential role here is played by the relationship with another man/human fellowship, and with God. God is understood not only as the Absolute that allows man to understand the mystery of life and its sense, but as the Person who gives himself to man in the relationship of love, therefore as God that makes Himself to be a gift for man (Redemption, the Eucharist, and the promise of salvation). This is God who accepts man's gift for Him (the whole wealth of religious life), and also in the relation of forgiveness for evil, i.e. sin, (the merciful God and loving Father). Hence the sacrament of penance and reconciliation has an essential psychotherapeutic dimension (aside to the primary sacramental dimension).