The Incarnation as a Metaphor for Psychotherapy

Abstract

The incarnation of Christ is considered as a metaphor for the role of the psychotherapist. The tendency of children to attempt to purge parental badness by taking it upon themselves, as noted by object relations theorists, is considered as a reflection of the imago Dei. Ways in which a similar process may occur in psychotherapy are then considered. It is concluded that the incarnational element of psychotherapy may be one of the basic curative factors present in any successful therapy.