This articles is a broad survey psychological literature and therapeutic treatment
for dissociative identity disorder from a Christian perspective (Badgett, 2018). The
purpose of the article is to explore how the integration of theology and psychology
can be applied when treating patients with dissociative identity disorder. The
author argues that psychological treatment for dissociative disorder patients, from
a Christian perspective, should focus on the integration of patient's alternate
identities. He uses Psalm 86:11 where David prays for an undivided heart to
support this conclusion. The author explains that these alternative identities may
have different opinions on important aspects of life such as purpose, value,
identity, meaning, and religious views. Counselors must remember that those who
are resistant to the integration of these alternative identities are often resistant
due to the trauma that they have endured and not because of an aspect of the
identities themselves. The author states that these is a disorder of the soul and
true healing can only come from the Holy Spirit. This author clearly follows the
Allies model as described by Entwistle as he is attempting explore psychological
treatment for dissociative identity disorder from the perspective of a Christian
counselor (Entwistle, 2015).
c c c c c c c c c c c I chose this article as this author attempts to address a complex
disorder from a Christian counselors perspective (Badgett, 2018). I agree with the
author's point that therapeutic healing will not be fully accomplished without the
work of the Holy Spirit. Dissociative identity disorder occurs as the result of
trauma, most commonly sexual trauma, where the one that is experiencing the
trauma unconsciously creates alternate identities in order to cope with the trauma.
The soul of this person is injured early on as a result of this trauma. In order to
therapeutically treat these clients, Christian counselors should help them
understand their disorder from a Christian perspective. Furthermore, counselors
should encourage them towards the integration of their alternate identities. I
believe that it would be extremely difficult to be unified with Christ and become
one with Christ, without first being unified with each alternate identity. Addressing
dissociative identity disorder from a non-Christian perspective is complex as there
is a lack of hope and restoration that comes with Christianity. Furthermore,
Christianity helps in explaining why these things happen, relating to the sin nature
of all humans. Sin is not an excuse but an explanation. More research needs to be
done on psychological therapeutic treatments that are effective for complex
traumatic stress disorders from a Christian perspective.
References
Badgett, J. P. (2018). Child Sexual Trauma, Dissociation, and the Soul: A Christian
Psychology Conceptualization. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 46(3), 199-214.
http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.1177/0091647117750659 Links to an
external site.
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology nd Christianity: An
introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of
integration. Cascade Books.
