A Practical Guide to Rabbinic Counseling

by Levitz, Yisrael N., Ph.D.; Twerski, Abraham J., M.D.

• ISBN13: 9781580235624
• ISBN10: 158023562X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-02-13
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Pub

Summary

Today¿s rabbis, in addition to being spiritual leaders of their congregations, are also expected to be competent counselors to members of their community. Yet rabbis often feel inadequately prepared for the diffi cult challenges of their counseling role. To many, rabbinic counseling appears deceptively simple, requiring no more than good intuition, fair judgment and sincere empathy. Good counseling, in reality, is a complex process requiring a combination of knowledge, skill, self-awareness and an understanding of human dynamics. This groundbreaking book¿written specifi cally for community rabbis and religious counselors¿refl ects the wisdom of seasoned professionals, who provide clear guidelines and sensible strategies for effective rabbinic counseling.

Table of Contents

Dedication	p. v
Preface	p. xiii
Personal Reflections	p. xxi
The Rabbi as Mental Health Practitioner	p. 1
Basic Principles of Rabbinic Counseling	p. 18
Mental Health and Mental Illness	p. 40
Understanding Mental Disorders: Guidelines for the Rabbi	p. 45
Counseling Congregants in Crisis	p. 66
Visiting the Hospitalized Patient	p. 91
Counseling the Terminally III Congregant	p. 118
Counseling Parents of a Dying Child	p. 143
Suicide: The Rabbi's Role	p. 155
Counseling the Bereaved	p. 164
In the Aftermath of Disaster: Counseling Children and Their Parents	p. 179
Helping the Addicted Congregant
Counseling the Single Congregant: Strategies for Rabbinic Intervention	p. 214
Premarital Counseling	p. 235
Counseling Couples in Distress	p. 262
Domestic Abuse: What Every Rabbi Needs to Know	p. 289
Resolving Conflicts: The Rabbi as Mediator	p. 310
Rabbinic Confidentiality	p. 342
Referring to a Mental Health Professional	p. 357
The Rabbi and His Family	p. 373
Contributors	p. 395
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