Analysis of the Therapeutic Dynamics Working with Nuns

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Volume 26 Num. 2

Volume 26 Num. 2 - June 2026

Analysis of the Therapeutic Dynamics Working with Nuns

Volume 26 Num. 2 - June 2026 - Pages 193-204

Authors:

Anna Pastuszak-Draxler, , Mirosława Jawor

anna.pastuszak@uj.edu.pl

Abstract:

Psychotherapy has gained social acceptance as a means of providing support during mental health crises. Despite the growing number of publications on psychotherapy for different patient groups, scientific research on therapy for nuns (especially in Poland) remains scarce. The subject remains taboo; many nuns view emotional problems as a sign of weakness and a shameful topic - much like psychotherapy itself. This article therefore highlights significant challenges in therapy with nuns. We conducted a multiple case study to investigate the topic and work towards recurring patterns faced during therapy with such patients. The study is based on work conducted at the Day Treatment Unit for Emotional and Mood Disorders at the University Hospital in Krakow, Poland. Over a ten-year period, we collected and analyzed data from intake interviews and therapy sessions of twelve Catholic nuns (ages 38-53) diagnosed with major depressive disorder or mixed depressive and anxiety disorder. During psychotherapeutic treatment, the therapists mainly used clarification, interpretation, reflection, containment, and confrontation techniques. Our observations highlight the unique nature of resistance and counter-resistance in therapy with nuns, which hinders the establishment of an open therapeutic dialogue. Nuns undergoing psychotherapeutic treatment are a special group of patients due to their social roles. At the same time, however, they are “ordinary” people in terms of the emotions they experience, their daily concerns, crises, and difficulties that manifest in social interactions. Behaviors, reactions to stressful situations, and emotional states that appear to lack an adaptive function are often reinforced by the rules of religious life or develop based on generally accepted principles within the religious congregation. Therefore, the specific nature of therapeutic work with nuns requires consideration of their daily reality. The study revealed significant issues and challenges in the psychotherapy of nuns, underscoring the necessity of further research and exploration in this clinically understudied area in Poland.

How to cite this paper:
Pastuszak-Draxler A & Jawor M (2026). Analysis of the Therapeutic Dynamics Working with Nuns. International Journal of Psychology & Psychological Therapy, 26, 2, 193-204

Key words:

nuns, resistance, counter-resistance, defense mechanisms, psychotherapy

Full Article

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International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy

Volume 26 Num. 2 - June 2026