Psychiatry and religion, counseling 

"There is a little bit of the psychiatrist in all of us," says Edmund J Elbert. The trouble is that most priests, ministers, rabbis and others who are called upon to counsel have only a "little bit" of knowledge as well. This handbook - and it is precisely that - provides not only a better basis from which to work but a thorough description of how to go about using that knowledge.

Part One surveys the evolution of the relationship between psychology and religion and discusses what constitutes mental illness, its degrees and prevalence. It examines in realistic terms the basic Freudian theory on the functions of the id, ego and superego and explores in depth the use of defense mechanisms, symptomatology, the role of the interviewer-therapist and the risks the largely untrained counselor must guard against.

Part Two is even more specific and even more concrete. Each chapter deals with an individual problem and offers case histories, ground rules for dealing with the problem and itemized do's and don'ts and guidelines on

Alcoholism
Drug addiction
Sexual problems
Recovery needs
Violence
Guilt
Depression
Suicide
The Sexual Revolution

I Understand is a "how-to" in the very best sense of that much abused term. As such, it will be an invaluable tool for any clerical counselor - or, for that matter, for anyone without professional psychiatric training who is called upon to counsel. It is lucid and specific, aware of both tradition and of the constantly changing climate of our time. Aware, most of all, that "it is the whole person who must be cared for and not simply the problem."

Edmund J Elbert was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Cathedral College and Immaculate Conception Seminary. He received his doctorate in philosophical psychology from the Catholic University of America and has done extensive graduate work in clinical psychology. Father Elbert is associate director of Catholic Charities for the diocese of Rockville Centre, New York, and a psychological counselor at several clinics. His column "What Is Man?" appears weekly in the Long Island Catholic.

Taken from the inside flaps.