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I selected for my article review an article by Jonathan Badgett (2018) on Child Sexual Trauma,
Dissociation and the Soul, a Christian Psychology Conceptualization. Badgett’s article focuses on
dissociative identity disorder or (DID), which is a subset of complex traumatic stress disorders
(CTSDs). The article peaked my interest, because it is hard to imagine how a child can survive
through years of sexual abuse; let alone know how to counsel! Of special note, currently we see
in the news the emotional testimonies of the Olympic gymnasts (Simone Biles and Aly Raisman),
as they relate their stories of the harmful scars of child sexual abuse.
Badgett shares that there is an “…intimate connection between chronic childhood sexual trauma
and the persistent barriers to psychotherapeutic remediation in adult survivors.” He also affirms
that “Christian counselors and pastors who counsel may benefit from a conceptualization of severe
dissociative disorders, their treatment, and therapeutic outcomes that entails a thoroughgoing
Christian perspective. This integrative task requires a broad survey of the pertinent psychological
literature in the light of the Bible’s teaching on interpersonal suffering, the gospel of Jesus Christ,
and the healing power of the triune God.”
The area of complex traumatic stress disorders (CTSDs) and dissociative disorders “…present a
unique set of therapeutic challenges to counselors. Much depends on the length and severity of
the abuse; survivors often require years of treatment during which they may experience numerous
new struggles and setbacks.” (Badgett, 2018)
Badgett offers a two-part methodology for developing a psychospiritual conceptualization of DID.
First, he utilized “current psychological literature…” Then, he provided Scriptures as conceptual
framework of integration for the disorder and its remediation of trauma. After review of the
article, this is no easy task for a counselor!! Badgett (2018) characterizes the disorder as a
“complex psychological and interpersonal phenomena.”
The lingering effects of child sex abuse through adulthood can often result in dissociative identity
disorder or (DID). “Langberg (2003) summarizes, What is lost is a sense of wholeness, of being
real, of being spontaneous and aware of one’s own inner workings. In essence, what is lost is the
integrity of the self.” Badgett quotes Miller (2012) that “Survivors have had their souls shattered,
so to speak, by the traumatic abuse perpetrated against them. For this reason, DID has rightly
been termed a “mental injury” rather than a mental illness.” This reminds me of an old Earth,
Wind and Fire song “That’s the Way of the World.” One of the more popular verses is “Child is
born with a heart of gold. The way of the world makes his heart grow cold.”
Counselors must be aware that “adulthood survivors struggle with an intermittent awareness of
present reality, a fragmented sense of self, intrusive recollections of traumatic memories and
experiences, as well as a reflexive tendency to unconsciously shift between identity states for even
mundane tasks” (van der Hart et al.,2006; Miller, 2012).
The article outlines that “modern psychology (MP) lacks a biblical understanding of human beings
as created by and accountable to God.” MP focuses “…patients gaining a sense of mastery over
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their lives through better selfcare, achieving control over their feelings and impulses, and learning
from their experiences” with “healing” being measured solely in terms of a decrease in overt
symptoms and an increase in the individual’s subjective sense of well-being” (cf. McMinn &
Campbell, 2007).
Badgett begins to construct a Christian conceptualization of DID as a disorder of the soul. He
focuses on the worldview of God’s perfection and man’s fallen state or brokenness, as a way to
relate to the client’s brokenness through sexual trauma. The story of Job relates a man “…who
was perfect and upright, and one that feared God….”Yet through all of Job’s trials, Job
compares God’s truth to “light” that “reveals mysteries from the darkness” (Job12:22) We
believe that although there is evil in this fallen and dark world, God’s creation (man) was made
good and perfect. Hence, the client is perfection in God’s eyes! Made in the image of God. To
know that God loves you, and that we also must learn to love ourselves, as God loves us. This
what Job means going from the darkness (suffering) to the light of God’s truth – His love!
We learn that the nature of suffering is an inevitable result of a fallen world. (COUN 506
Spirituality, Suffering, and Counseling Dynamics) We also learn how to counsel those in suffering
by the responses of Job’s friends; whether to know what to say, or just to be there or to just be
silent and listen. Our goal as Christian counselors is to turn hopelessness into the hope in Christ,
to encourage, to be patient, to persevere and to pray for God’s help and guidance, especially for
such complex disorders.
As a Christian counselor, sexual abuse often leaves psychological scars or sequelae that need to
be addressed; but in order to heal these scars it important to view them “in terms of its impact
upon the soul’s internal order and health, as well as its relationship to others, including
(especially) God.” Elizabeth Howell (2005)
Badgett deliberates that although MP focuses on b decrease in overt symptoms and an increase in
the individual’s subjective sense of well-being, healing also involves dealing with the dark places
of the soul (dissociative aspect) and reuniting it with love of Christ and ultimately with the love
of self, and then to others. It helps the client to identify their suffering with Christ’s suffering on
the cross. And to ultimately know that Christ overcame sin and evil through His death and
resurrection. To know that they too can be healed and resurrected whole as well! Jesus assures us
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16.33
This article aligns itself with Entwistle’s Allies model that recognizes the underlying unity of
human nature, and the legitimacy of both theology and psychological investigation” (Entwistle,
2015, page 182) The Allies model also recognizes that all truth is known by God who is
sovereign over all things. “The Allies model acknowledges the sovereignty of Christ as creator
and sustainer of all things.” (Entwistle, 2015, page 183)
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References
Badgett, J. (2018). Child Sexual Trauma, Dissociation, and the Soul: A Christian Psychology
Conceptualization. Published by Journal of Psychology and Theology, Vol. 46 (3) 199-
Entwistle (2015). Integrative Approaches to Psychology and Christianity 3rd Edition, An
Introduction to Worldview Issues, Philosophical Foundations, and Models of Integration.
Published by CASCADE Books.
Finkelhor, D., & Browne, A. (1985). The traumatic impact of child sexual abuse: A
conceptualization.
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55(4), 530–541
Howell, E. F. (2005). The dissociative mind. Hillsdale, NJ: Analytic Press.
Howell, E. F. (2011). Understanding and treating dissociative identity disorder: A relational
approach. New York: Routledge.
Langberg, D. (2003). Counseling survivors of sexual abuse. [S.I.]: Xulon
McMinn, M. R., & Campbell, C. D. (2007). Integrative psychotherapy: Toward a comprehensive
Christian approach. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity.
Miller, A. (2012). Healing the unimaginable: Treating ritual abuse and mind control. London:
Karnac.
COUN 506 (LUO) Spirituality, Suffering, and Counseling Dynamics. Week Three, Lecture Three.
