God as other, God as self, God as beyond: a cognitive analytic perspective on the relationship with God.
A case is made for the importance of working with religious material psychotherapeutically whilst at the same time being attentive to the pitfalls that may arise in doing so. A clinical vignette is presented illustrating some of these difficulties. Connections between constructions of self, other, and God are discussed using reciprocal roles, a concept from cognitive analytic therapy (CAT). A perspective offering a multiple and 'voiced' nature of self is explored; parallels are drawn with descriptions of God; and therapeutic implications are discussed.
Marsh
Robert
R
Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, Brighton and Canterbury Christchurch University (Salomons Centre), Kent, UK. r.marsh@salomons.org.uk
Low
James
J
D019336:Cognitive Science; D004532:Ego; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012069:Religion and Psychology