Counseling of a Traumatic Theological Student with Involvement in Syncretism: A Traumatology-Case Study to an Indonesian Theological Student
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46929/graciadeo.v7i1.213Keywords:
counseling, syncretism, traumatic students, trauma therapyAbstract
Indonesian theological students often come to seminary with a handful of problems from the onset of their lives. The expectation from the traditional Christian family for their son and daughters to set the behavior right in the seminary is outdatedly common. This case study explores a 21-year-old theological male student who suffered verbal and physical abuse from his parents. During the initial four weeks of the therapeutic alliance with the author, he exhibits the traumatic symptoms of severe hostility and somatic re-enactment of past adverse experiences. He had been known to possess talismans and some sacred relics for witchcraft in the past, which contemporarily yielded nightmares and terror at night. The qualitative case study explored the traumatic problem of the student through 12 months of observation and in-depth interviews. Through experiential therapy of gestalt, CBT, and forgiveness therapy in the last seven months, the student showed reduced symptoms of hostility, somatic complaints, and impulse behavior. The spiritual formation of prayer and meditating on the Scripture has been seen as valuable by the patient in dealing with his spiritual problems.
References
Aiach Dominitz, Valerie. “Gestalt Therapy Applied: A Case Study with an Inpatient Diagnosed with Substance Use and Bipolar Disorders.” Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy 24, no. 1 (2017): 36–47.
American Psychiatric Association. DSM-V: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
Ammara, Butt, Azmat Ahad, Beig Farast, Ali Dogar, and Junaid ul Islam. “Frequency of Anxiety and Depression in Dissociative Trance (Possession) Disorder.” Fatima Jinnah Medical University 15, no. 2 (2021).
Ary, Donald, Lucy Jacobs, and Christine Sorensen. Introduction to Research in Education. 10th ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2018.
Bevans, Stephen. “Syncretism and Christian Tradition: Race and Revelation in the Study of Religious Mixture.” International Bulletin of Mission Research 46, no. 4 (2022): 595–598.
Blea, Jordan, David C. Wang, Christina L. Kim, Gabriel Lowe, Jesika Austad, Melabi Amponsah, and Nicholle Johnston. “The Experience of Financial Well-Being, Shame, and Mental Health Outcomes in Seminary Students.” Pastoral Psychology 70, no. 4 (2021): 299–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-021-00963-4.
Blosnich, John R., Emmett R. Henderson, Robert W. S. Coulter, Jeremy T. Goldbach, and Ilan H. Meyer. “Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Sexual Minority Adults, United States, 2016–2018.” American Journal of Public Health 110, no. 7 (2020): 1024–1030.
Briere, John N., and Catherine Scott. Principles of Trauma Therapy: A Guide to Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment (DSM-V Updates). Second Edi. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Ltd, 2015.
Cawdron, Harvey. “Unity among Division : Dissociative Identity Disorder and the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit Unity among Division : Dissociative Identity Disorder and the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit.” Journal of Disability & Religion 0, no. 0 (2023): 1–25. https://doi.org/10.1080/23312521.2023.2230178.
Clark, Carrie, Catherine C Classen, Anne Fourt, and Maithili Shetty. Treating the Trauma Survivor, 2015.
Creswell, John W., and Cherly N. Poth. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design. 4th ed. SAGE Publications, Ltd, 2018.
During, Emmanuel H., Fanny M. Elahi, Olivier Taieb, Marie Rose Moro, and Thierry Baubet. “A Critical Review of Dissociative Trance and Possession Disorders: Etiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Nosological Issues.” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry 56, no. 4 (2011): 235–242.
Evans, C. Stephen, and Zachary Manis. Philosophy of Religion: Thinking About Faith (Contours of Christian Philosophy). InterVarsity Academic Press, 2009.
French, Haley R. “Counselling in the Spirit: The Outworking of a Pneumatological Hermeneutic in the Praxis of Pentecostal Therapists.” Practical Theology 10, no. 3 (2017): 263–276. https://doi.org/10.1080/1756073X.2017.1354512.
Gartner, Richard. Trauma & Countertrauma, Resilience and Counterresilience: Insight from Psychoanalysts & Trauma Experts, 2017.
Goheen, Michael W. Introducing Christian Mission Today: Scripture History and Issues. Grand Rapids: InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Groenewald, Thomas. “A Phenomenological Research Design Illustrated.” International Journal of Qualitative Methods 3, no. 1 (2004): 42–55.
Hanson, Camilla S., Angela Ju, and Allison Tong. “Appraisal of Qualitative Studies.” In Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences, 1–15, 2018.
Holleman, Anna, and Mark Chaves. “US Religious Leaders’ Views on the Etiology and Treatment of Depression.” JAMA Psychiatry 80, no. 3 (2023): 270–273.
James, Jonathan. “Christianity and Culture : How Asian Missions Can Be Modelled According to the Indigenous Principle” (2019).
Jowett, Sally, Thanos Karatzias, and Idit Albert. “Multiple and Interpersonal Trauma Are Risk Factors for Both Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder: A Systematic Review on the Traumatic Backgrounds and Clinical Characteristics of Comorbid Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder/Border.” Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice 93, no. 3 (2020): 621–638.
Kane, Ross. “Syncretism and Christian Tradition: Race and Study of Religious Mixture.” Religious Study Review 47, no. 3 (2021): 395–396.
Kaur, Manpreet, and Zena R. Mello. “Positive and Negative Well-Being among Adolescents from Theological and Conventional Schools in India.” Mental Health, Religion and Culture 19, no. 3 (2016): 229–239.
Kerry, Nicholas, Marjorie L. Prokosch, and Damian R. Murray. “The Holy Father (and Mother)? Multiple Tests of the Hypothesis That Parenthood and Parental Care Motivation Lead to Greater Religiosity.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (2022).
Kirkmayer, Laurence J. “Editorial Taking Possesion of Trance.” Transcultural Psychiatry Research Review 29 (1993): 283–286.
Kissane, David, and Malcolm Parker. “Dissociative Trance Disorder Associated with Major Depression and Rereavement in a South African Remale Adolescent.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 39, no. 5 (2005): 423–425.
Kress, Victoria, Lynda Seligman, and Lourie Reichenberg. Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: System, Strategy and Skills. 5th ed. Fallschurch: Pearson, 2020.
Liza Lopez, Levers. Trauma Counseling: Theories and Interventions. 1st Editio. Springer Publishing Company, 2012.
Lloyd, Christopher E.M. “Contending with Spiritual Reductionism: Demons, Shame, and Dividualising Experiences among Evangelical Christians with Mental Distress.” Journal of Religion and Health 60, no. 4 (2021): 2702–2727. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01268-9.
Lloyd, Christopher E.M., and Robert M. Waller. “Demon? Disorder? Or None of the above? A Survey of the Attitudes and Experiences of Evangelical Christians with Mental Distress.” Mental Health, Religion and Culture 23, no. 8 (2020): 679–690.
McKeachi, Wilbert, and Marilla Svinicki. McKeachie’s Teaching Tips 14th Edition. Edited by 14th. Cengage Learning, 2013.
Mercer, Jean. “Deliverance, Demonic Possession, and Mental Illness: Some Considerations for Mental Health Professionals.” Mental Health, Religion and Culture 16, no. 6 (2013): 595–611.
Miller, W. R., and S. Rollnick. Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. 3rd ed. New York: Guildford Press, 2012.
Mohler Jr., R. Albert, Peter Enns, and Kevin J Vanhoozer. Five Views on Biblical Inerrancy Counterpoints: Bible and Theology. Edited by J Merrick. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Academics, 2013.
Mutambara, Julia, and Tholene Sodi. “Exploring the Role of Spirituality in Coping With War Trauma Among War Veterans in Zimbabwe.” SAGE Open 8, no. 1 (2018).
Nasrullah, Rulli. Metode Penelitian Jurnalisme: Pendekatan Kualitatif. Bandung: Simbioasa Rekatama Media, 2020.
Nie, Fanhao, and Daniel V.A. Olson. “Demonic Influence: The Negative Mental Health Effects of Belief in Demons.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 55, no. 3 (2016): 498–515.
Oppenheim, Michael. Trust & Trauma: An Indisiplinary Study in Human Nature. Routledge, 2021.
Ott, Kate M., and Amanda J. Winters. “Sex and the Seminary: Preparing Ministers for Sexual Health and Justice.” American Journal of Sexuality Education 6, no. 1 (2011): 55–74.
Pakpahan, Binsar. “Daftar Perguruan Tinggi Teologi/Agama Kristen Terakreditasi BAN PT.” Last modified 2015. Accessed June 27, 2023. https://binsarspeaks.net/?p=2503.
Pougnet, Richard, and Laurence Pougnet. “Anxiety Disorders and Mood Disorders in Hospital Doctors: A Literature Review.” Medycyna Pracy 72, no. 2 (2021): 163–171.
Pow, Allison Marsh, and Hope Schuermann. “Fundamental Theories and Skills for Trauma Counseling.” In Introduction to Trauma Counseling, edited by Thelma Duffey and Shane Haberstroh, 113–136. ProQuest Ebook Central, 2020.
Ringel, Shoshana. “Attachment Theory, Infant Research, and Neurobiology.” In Trauma : Contemporary Directions in Theory, Practice, and Research, 77–96. SAGE Publications, Ltd, 2011.
Rusli, Megawati, Nyoman Sudana Degeng, Punaji Setyosari, and Sulton. “Peer Teaching: Students Teaching Students to Increase Academic Performance.” Teaching Theology and Religion 24, no. 1 (2021): 17–27.
Senn, Theresa E., Michael P. Carey, Peter A. Vanable, Patricia Coury-Doniger, and Marguerite Urban. “Characteristics of Sexual Abuse in Childhood and Adolescence Influence Sexual Risk Behavior in Adulthood.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 36, no. 5 (2007): 637–645.
Sharon B. Merriam. “Six Commons Qualitative Research Designs.” In Qualitative Research : A Guide to Design and Implementation, 22–42. John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2015.
She, King Tung “Ryan,” David C. Wang, Andrea L. Canada, and John M. Poston. “The Impact of Financial Health on the Spiritual, Mental, and Relational Health of Christian Graduate Students.” Pastoral Psychology 72, no. 1 (2023): 85–103.
Siswanto. Psikologi Kesehatan Mental: Awas Kesurupan! Yogyakarta: Andi Offset, 2015.
Smith, Kaitlin, David Wang, Andrea Canada, John M. Poston, Rick Bee, and Lara Hurlbert. “The Biobehavioral Family Model with a Seminarian Population: A Systems Perspective of Clinical Care.” Frontiers in Psychology 13, no. September (2022): 1–12.
Spindola-Rodrigues, Karleth Costa, Renandro de Carvalho Reis, Caio Macedo de Carvalho, Socorro D’Paula Nayh Leite Loiola de Siqueira, Antonio Vitor da Rocha Neto, and Kelson James Almeida. “Cognitive Health and Differential Cortical Functioning in Dissociative Trance: An Xxplorative Study about Mediumship.” Frontiers in Psychology 13, no. April (2022).
Study, Scientific, Fanhao Nie, and Daniel V A Olson. “Demonic Influence : The Negative Mental Health.” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 55, no. 2016 (2017): 498–515.
Suh, Jessica D. “Sexuality Education Training as Part of the Seminary Experience.” Practical Theology 11, no. 4 (2018): 347–356. https://doi.org/10.1080/1756073X.2018.1502522.
Szabo, Christopher Paul, and Greg Jonsson. “Dissociative Trance Disorder Associated With.” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 39, no. 5 (2005): 423.
Tan, S. Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011.
VanderKolk, Bessel. The Body Keeps the Score : Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books. Penguin Books, 2015.
Voltmer, Edgar, Christine Thomas, and Claudia Spahn. “Psychosocial Health and Spirituality of Theology Students and Pastors of the German Seventh-Day Adventist Church.” Review of Religious Research 52, no. 3 (2011): 290–305.
Wahbeh, Helané, Cedric Cannard, Jennifer Okonsky, and Arnaud Delorme. “A Physiological Examination of Perceived Incorporation during Trance.” F1000Research 8 (2019): 67.
Wasserman, Marlene. “The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma.” Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy 43, no. 6 (2017): 594–596. https://doi.org/10.1080/0092623X.2017.1348102.
Widom, Cathy Spatz, and Joseph B. Kuhns. “Childhood Victimization and Subsequent Risk for Promiscuity, Prostitution, and Teenage Pregnancy: A Prospective Study.” American Journal of Public Health 86, no. 11 (1996): 1607–1612.
Wilkin, Paul. Person-Centered and Experiential Therapies: Contemporary Approaches and Issues in Practices. New York: SAGE Publications, Ltd, 2015.
Wilson, Helen W., and Cathy Spatz Widom. “An Examination of Risky Sexual Behavior and HIV in Victims of Child Abuse and Neglect: A 30-Year Follow-Up.” Health Psychology 27, no. 2 (2008): 149–158.
Yin, Robert K. “How to Know Whether and When to Use the Case Study as a Research Method.” In Case Study Research and Applications : Design and Methods, 1–22. Sixth. SAGE Publications, Ltd, 2018.
