Orthodox Psychology

[Daniel]

Can anyone direct me to some online sources for an orthodox view of psychology?

Daniel

[Justin Kissel]

Secular psychology (Like what you'd learn in your typical University Psychology course)? Or an Orthodox form of it? If it's the latter, I'd suggest the works of Met. Hierotheos.

[Daniel]

Thanks, Justin!

To answer you question...kinda both. I'd like to read more about Orthodox psychology, and the Churches view of modern secular psychology.

[away]

Here is something that I read about this subject.

“Those who are not well spiritually are certain clergymen who study psychology in order to help people’s souls (with human skill). The strange thing is that their teachers, the psychologists, neither believe in God nor accept the existence of the soul; and if they do, they do it in their own way (almost all of them). These clergymen reveal through their actions that they are spiritually ill and need patristic examinations. After being cured, they will discern for themselves this ill spirit and, at the same time, they will come to know Divine Grace. From then on, they will use divine energy instead of human arts to cure suffering souls.”

Elder Paisios of Mount Athos.

[Justin Kissel]

My own view of secular psychology is rather mixed. My Psych course during the first semester of my freshman year at college was my favorite course for the year. On the other hand, my personal experience with Psychiatrists and Psychologists has led me to have generally a very low opinion of the methods used by secular psychology. The main and most obvious problem with Psychology is that it rejects the methods that God himself gave us for "becoming a fulfilled person," "being happy," and so forth.

Even if a Psychologist/Psychiatrist accepts the therapeutic value of "religion," more times than not it is because of a humanistic or utilitarian view of religion. In other words, in their view, "any God(s) will do". If a patient is "helped" by his "religion," the Doctor normally couldn't care less whether they are a Reformed Jew or Evangelical Protestant or Muslim. All that's important to the Doctor is that the patient not become too involved in his religion (unless that involvement means social activism or something of that sort).

Our western society is largely henotheistic, and it's a relativistic henotheism ("your truth(s) and god(s) are not necessarily my truth(s) and god(s), but can't we just ignore that difference?"); I guess it shouldn't be suprising that the rather modern "science" known as psychology would unfortunately be tainted by this henotheistic and relativistic way of going about things.

If I have strong opinions here, it's probably because I've dealt with secular psychology all of my life (from the age of 8 onwards, anyway), and have found it to be generally harmful, not helpful. Now, as can be inferred from my comment about my one psych class, I don't think that Secular Psychology is totally worthless. I think there are a lot of answers that can be found in Psychology that, if perhaps not understood within a very good framework (or schema) at least teaches people some good tidbits and factoids that can help us out as people in relating to each other.

Why do women who are beaten stay with husbands who beat them? Why does Grand Mother always complain that there isn't enough light to read when there is in fact plenty of light? How much credibility and validity do eye-witness accounts and testimony have? As far as questions like these go, I think secular Psychology has some good answers, or at least some thought-provoking suggestions. But when it comes to actually seeing a Psychologist/Psychiatrist for "treatment," I'm very wary. People sometimes say that if you have a chemical imbalance that you must get "professional help". Maybe they should, and if someone does I wouldn't judge them for doing so.

On the other hand, the Church has a long history of changing homicidal maniacs into meek monks and loose persons into models of chastity: who's gonna read the Church Fathers (including the Lives of those monks and celibates) and then say that the Mysteries of God (ie. the Divine Virtues and Sacraments) can't change a "chemical imbalance"? Who's to say that my "emotional problems" aren't my personal "thorn" (like Saint Paul had)? I'm not saying that we should refuse help from doctors--even the Scriptures say that it's wrong to refuse help from doctors (Sir. 38:1-15), though some Church Fathers seemed to disagree in certain circumstance--but I think we should consider all the possibilities, and not simply assume that "being cured" through secular Psychology is the answer we must utilize.

[Daniel]

Thank you for the thoughtfull post, Justin.

Never having dealt will psycologist/psychiatrists before, I can't say too much, but...You pretty much stated the impression I have gotten from them.

[Anastasios]

At Saint Vladimir's the guy in charge of Theological Reflections (the part where we reflect on stuff like prayer, ministry, etc) is a PhD in psychology and faithful Orthodox Christian (he's in the chapel almost every day).

He says that basically long term therapy is a bunch of junk but that short term therapy can be quite helpful. I believe that he said that the brain can have disfunctions just like the body and so psychology helps just like prescription drugs or surgery. He did say though that it cannot be a replacement for regular spiritual practices and confession, given that sin can only be taken care of in that manner.

Basically he said that either extreme should be avoided: those who say "never go to a psychologist" and "psychology is an advancement over church confession, etc".

From my personal experience, those who completely reject psychology thinking that the sacraments are enough are usually the craziest people I have met. Those with the balanced view are usually the most stable and pious--but that's just my view.

anastasios