Philip Jonathan Shapiro <philipjs@milkyway.co.za> responded:
<<Yakar, they are incompatible. In previous generations,the shtetl and
before,they didn't have psychotherapy. They had an alternative; Gemillut
Chassaddim! (Acts of Kindness). As far as theory goes, psychology is
incompatible with Torah. A scientific approach to man ,known as positivism,
dehumanizes man. Science studies things not people, much less Neshamos
(souls). Psychological theory reflects the values of the culture from
whence it comes. Academic University psychology is conformist, anti-Torah
ideology....>>
I don't agree with this. As a frum (religious) psychologist who lives and
works in Bnai Brak and who receives recommendations from Rabbonim (Rabbis),
I believe you have oversimplified psychology and psychotherapy. There are
hundreds of theories of psychotherapy as well as hundreds of theories of
psychology. It is necessary for the Jew to understand what aspects are
appropriate and what aspects are not. Here, in Eretz Yisrael, the belief
is to only go to frum therapists. The next possible choice is to go to a
gentile therapist. As far as I am aware, this is the halacha l'ma'aseh.
As a note, the Steipler discussed methods of psychotherapy, the Rambam
(Maimondes {sp?}) said that every person is "choleh nefesh" literally, sick
in his soul, etc. Much of mussar is exactly what psychotherapy does, etc...
Dr. Y. Kramer
kramer@netvision.net.il