PSYCHIATRY
37
be devoting themselves seriously to the study of depth psychology. They will need to acquire a comprehensive grasp of this (psychoanalytic) theory-especially the elements related to the unconscious-in order to deal with these growth-blocking intrapersonal inconsistencies. I would hope that no spiritual counselor would assume the difficult task of guiding souls without first completing a carefully supervised training program that will insure that he or she will not do harm to others by reinforcing the unrealistic (idealized) impressions they may have of themselves, or by supporting unrealistic vocational decisions. Q. Wh at sort of preparation will be needed? Will every counselor have to be a trained psychologist? A. No more than every automobile driver bas to be a trained mechanic. But you can't be a wise driver unless you have at !east sorne basic understanding of the nature of a car's engine and what you can and should not do to it wh ile you're operating it. Similarly, I would think that every Church-approved spiritual guide should be required to demonstrate a minimal leve! of competence in applying-along with the essential principles of spirituality-the fundamental psychological concepts related to those principles. I believe spiritual counselors should be required to undergo examination and have their knowledge and competence certified, the way pastoral counselors, teachers, psychologists, and psychiatrists are. The delicate vulnerability of souls and the law of Charity wou id seem to demand this. Q. Who will design the curriculum or establish the training program? A. Efforts in this direction are going on in a number of places, from Rome to Sidney, Australia. But we are just beginning. I wou id hope bishops and religions superiors would support these projects. They owe it to those in their care to insure that reh¡eat directors and formation personnel are thoroughly prepared. Too many well-intentioned but inadequately trained men and women are engaged in these works because they see them as obviously important to God, satisfying to the helper, and aimed at meeting profound and perennial religions needs. But exposed souls are priceless and delicate. Like open hearts in the surgical operating room, they are not meant for the bands of amateurs.