The purpose of psychotherapy in a spiritual context
A Course in Miracles is unique in that it is a "scripture" (if that is an appropriate term for it), that directly, openly, and clearly addresses psychotherapy. It makes numerous statements about psychotherapy from a spiritually-centerd viewpoint.
The book stresses that the link between the goals of both psychotherapy and spirituality is returning to reality: "Psychotherapy is necessary so that an individual can begin to question their reality" (P-In.1.5). It goes on to say that, "The patient need not think of truth as God in order to make progress in salvation. But he must begin to separate truth from illusion, recognizing that they are not the same, and becoming increasingly willing to see illusions as false and to accept the truth as true." (P-1.5:1) For a reference to the full text of this section, look here.
To what degree do you find that the truths of spirituality are healing? And how do you think a spiritually-focused psychotherapy practice uses these truths for the patient's benefit?
I am not a Course of Miracles student, so I have the ability to read the language of the materials with a new, perhaps innocent ear. I strive to absorb the essence of it, and the small Booklet on Psychotherapy seems to have distilled this core concept beautifully for me as this: Psychotherapy will only be helpful to the seeker when the therapist herself or himself is able to become the seeker, recognizing the divine gifts that the "client" is giving the therapist by coming into the session, by recognizing that we are one, with no separation. I heal you,you heal me.