Seymour Hoffman

Reader for the Religious Psychotherapist: Issues, Contemporary Responsa and Treatment Seymour Hoffman

Publisher Marketing: This slim book contains a selection of interesting and informative articles in Hebrew (with the exception of one article that is partly in English and Hebrew) authored by orthodox rabbis and psychotherapists that are highly relevant and pertinent to religious psychotherapists and therapists treating religious patients. The important topics and issues discussed include the relationship between rabbis and mental health practitioners, special considerations in treating the haredi patient, treatment of religious homosexual adolescents, ethics of a religious therapist, and responsa by prominent contemporary rabbis regarding the issue of halachic (religious law) constraints and treatment options, among others. The latter contains anecdotal examples of conflicts, questions and dilemmas that religious therapists encountered that were presented by the editor to various prominent rabbis for their halachic rulings. Among the questions raised: Is the therapist obligated to rebuke a patient when the latter is transgressing serious religious commandments?; Is the therapist permitted to encourage a patient to express his negative feelings towards his/her parents?; Can a therapist continue doing marital therapy after learning that the husband is a Cohen and his wife is a divorcee?; Is cross-gender therapy permissible?, et al. Religious therapists, rabbis and therapists treating religious and haredi patients will find the book stimulating, informative and an enlightening and worthwhile read.