Van Kalmthout's latest book 'Psychotherapy and the meaning of life' offers an unexpected perspective on person-oriented psychotherapy. Starting point is an analysis of academic science, the Christian doctrine and the prevailing discourse on psychotherapy. His judgment is hard: all three ignore the essential.
He then proceeds with 'genuine' psychotherapy, which assists the client in his search for truth and in opening up to the Other. Thus the person-oriented mental legacy proves to be a spiritual, religious approach. The big Rogerian dogmas, including the one of the true self, turn out to be metaphors leading to the universal.
The suggested interpretation of Roger's ideas is original. Disconnected from a medical-psychiatric context, it has a fresh, religious connotation. Unfortunately, Van Kalmthout does not extend this metaphorical interpretation to modern science, religion and the prevailing psychotherapy. Had he done so, his judgement might have been a milder one.
psychotherapy, person oriented approach, religion, spirituality, meaning of life
The tPeP (Journal Person-centered experiential Psychotherapy) is the scientific journal for Dutch and Flemish psychotherapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, that work from, or are interested in a client-centered perspective.
