PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26868, 22 October 1952, Page 8

PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT

RESOLUTION PASSED BY ANGLICAN SYNOD PSYCHIATRIST’S COMMENT Thoughtful people in Christchurch should be impressed by the important resolution passed in the Synod of the diocese of Christchurch on the subject of psychological treatment, as reported in “The Press” of October 17, said Dr. M. Bevan-Brown, a Christchurch psychiatrist, yesterday, when asked to comment on a discussion held in the Synod last week. “Attention should be paid, I think, to the introductory remarks of Bishop Warren, and the expressions used by Dean Sullivan in moving the motion,” Dr. Bevan-Brown said. “In the course of his speech Dean Sullivan said that all clergy did not have the expert qualifications or the experience that this kind of work (psychotherapy) demanded. This surely is a highly significant statement conning from someone speaking with authority. “It seSms to me that this is a notable event in the history of the church, because the church in the past has often looked with disfavour upon psychotherapy outside the ministry, and rarely has it expressed its approval in such a positive manner as in this motion,” said Dr. BevanBrown.

“Psychiatrists and psychotherapists practising in Christchurch have reason, 1 think, to be gratified and encouraged by the motion, and by views expressed by Bishop Warren and Dean Sullivan—as well as by such supporters of the motion as Canon A. H. Acheson and the Rev. P. O. C. Edwards.

“The motion removes some unfortunate impressions created by remarks made by individual members and reported in ‘The Press’ of Wednesday, October 15; and the timely and constructive letter of the Rev. C. L. Dobbs in ‘The Press’ of October 21 provides further confirmation of the correction.

“It may be that the Synod debate will lead to more co-operation between the church and working psychotherapists, and the great majority of these latter would heartily welcome this. “In this connexion reference perhaps should be made to the letter signed ‘Curious’ and published in ‘The Press’ on October 21. ‘Curious’ is Suite justified in asking these quesons. The question of the qualifications of psychotherapists is of the utmost importance. There is not only the possibility of charlatans entering the field, but the certainty that for generations there have been charlatans operating, 4 just £S there are charlatans operating in other related therapeutic fields. If ‘Curious’ is genuinely seeking information, and will approach me personally, I will answer his questions to the best of my ability,” said Dr. Bevan-Brown.