Interface Between Psychotherapy and Judaism : Issues, Case Studies and Halachic Deliberations

This Reader focuses on the interface between psychotherapy and Judaism. The twenty-one articles (with one exception) that were authored by orthodox and haredi rabbis and mental health practitioners are varied and relate to theoretical as well as practical issues. The book is divided into three parts: Issues, Case Studies and Halachic Deliberations. In the first part, issues such as attitudes of ultra-orthodox rabbis to psychological treatment, unique challenges in treating haredi patients, and relationship between rabbis and psychologists are analyzed and discussed among other topics. Part two presents case histories of the treatment of haredi and religious patients which include the participation of rabbis in specific situations and charming anecdotes demonstrating the psychological wisdom, sensitivity and insights of ancient and contemporary Jewish sages. Part three contains responsa of respected contemporary arbiters to questions raised by religious psychotherapists and articles discussing the relevant and sensitive issues of cross-gender therapy and honoring abusive parents, by mental health practitioners. -- The appendix contains three articles in Hebrew - responsa regarding Jewish Law and psychological treatment and two articles by prominent rabbis on the relationship between rabbis and psychologists and ethics of the religious psychotherapist.