INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF PNEUMAPSYCHOLOGY
AND
THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PNEUMAPSYCHOLOGIST AND PASTORAL
PSYCHOTHERAPIST (IAPP)
Dr. Manuel D. Cuevas Jr.
International Director
Pneumapsychology can be considered today as an alternative approach
to psychology. Whereas "secular" psychology tends to
ignore the foundational truths revealed by the Scripture concerning
man, his spiritual problem and manifested behavior. And while
it's theoretical framework and various perspectives about man
being the invention of numerous human thinkers (founders) has
led to confusion of approach, rivalry of behavioral concepts and
different professional preference of the psychologist in the so
called "ecclectic approach". Pneumapsychology on the
other hand, had absolute truth, following the path of the Scripture
so that it cannot err concerning human behavior, the psychological
condition and it's treatment.
The Scripture therefore, is the frame of reference about man and
out of such foundation concerning behavior and the mental condition,the
Pneumapsychologist as a psychological counselor uses a clinical
approach and theoretical framework compatible with Bible truths;
and as a practicing scientist will deem to use only those biblical-psychological
truths that are proven and established by legitimate science or
has been documented by valid scientific experiments. He will not
use in anyway anything that is contrary to logic, modern science
or the conservative standard of man.
Pneumapsychology rather than purely "scientific", purposed
to bring the balance between spirituality and science in counseling.
It counsels individual from a highly-moral, highly-positive holistic
point of view. It regards man as created in the image of God and
as such will achieve best with God in the cultivation of good
mental health. However it is not dogmatic in the sense that it
will impose a brand of religion other than which is agreeable
to the client/patient. But definetely as a way of achieving moral/ethical
control over behavior as well as to attain positive qualities
of inner disposition and relax attitude, God will be defined as
part of the remedial process.
Pneumapsychological counseling is drug free and provides only
purely verbal counseling and psychological analysis. Though the
pneumapsychologist is trained and familiar with symptoms of brain
damage or mental disorders of organic cause, such medical cases
will be reffered to a medical doctor or a psychiatrist whose field
of expertise it belongs. Pneumapsychology thrives only in the
field of clinical counseling and is effective with non-organic
psychological disorders or as part of a "rehabilitative process"
for mental patients who are underway into recovery to prevent
a relapse into anxiety.
THEORY, PRINCIPLE AND PRACTICE OF PNEUMAPSYCHOLOGY
By Dr. Manuel D. Cuevas Jr., Ed.D., Pneumapsy. D.
Clinical Pneumapsychologist / Educator
Human behavior is a broad field for there are many deviations.
God said to Saul in regards to his behavior "you are kicking
against the goads". Many people do not understand that when
they misbehave or become dysfunctional in their minds and feelings
they do not only destroy others who are affected by it but so
are themselves. A person with bad attitude and character and personality
problems bear the consequences of these malformation. Thus, the
Scripture declares "whatsoever you sow, you shall reap".
What is Pneumapsychology?
Pneumapsychology-is the study of human behavior from a biblical-
scientific point of view. It is also the study of the relationship
between spirituality and the individual's psychological condition
and how such relationship affects general behavior and mental
health. From a psychopathological point of view, it studies attitudal
behavior based on mental condition affected by the sinful nature
called "defraction'.
Foundational Premise
1. The Bible is a psychology book and Jesus Christ is the greatest
psychologist who ever lived. The Scriptures reveals and teaches
a great deal about human behavior. Such disclosure of truth about
human behavior should not be disregarded in modern study of psychology.
2. Good mental health is the goal of Christian
teaching promoting emotional and spiritual serenity and vitalities
as inner peace, inner harmony, faith and trust in the face of
crisis, strong spiritual communication outlets dynamics towards
God and man (serves as an ideal emotional outlet) and positive
thinking essential qualities of good character, personality and
wholesome mental health.
3. Man's behavior and mental health is strongly
linked to good spiritually. Therefore bad mental health and bad
behavior is an after effect of poor spirituality.
4. Personality and character problems and the
emergence of a host of functional mental disorders are ill consequences
of deviation from the Word and the moral and mental destruction
engineered by the evil spirit imposed upon man's psyche system
or mental program made morally weak through it's own sinful nature;
on the other hand, succumbing to disruption of the phychological
normal system through biological vulnerability. God allows such
harm from Satan to punish man's disobedience to him and as a result
of their rejection of his Word.
The 2 Aims of Pneumapsychology
1. To re-educate and reconstruct the person's
mind through pneuma-psychological counseling of effective Logos
therapy.
2. To regenerate the human spirit. So as to strengthen
the spiritual base.
Who are the Pneumapsychological Counselors?
1. Pastors with training in Pneumapsychology- Pastors are effective
at Logos Therapy ; the word "pastors and teachers" can
be translated "pastors and counselors" (his dual function)
or "ten thousands instructors" as "ten thousand
counselors…"
2. Matured Christians with training in Pneumapsychology-Christians
who are competent to counsel. How do you persuade an erring mind
to good spiritually and good mental state? The answer is through
counseling Gal.6.1-2
Why Is Pneumapsychological Counseling Necessary?
1. Because of the dire need to restructure the mentality of a
person, its recorded memory and emotional data and bothering perceptions
which becomes problematic at times, such dysfunctionalism that
affects personality, character and one's mental state.
2. Because psychological maturity and vitality is linked to spiritual
maturity and vitality. To effectively deal with the state of spirituality
of a person in pneumapsychological counseling is to effectively
deal with the psyche. A healthy psyche in turn, produces a healthy
personality, sound character and pleasing overt behavior.
Important Clinical Teachings: Clinical Foundation
1. The human spirit is the only aspect of man that is regenerated
when it is made new.
2. Flesh with its problematic psyche is to be renewed day by day.
The physical psyche is the focus of intensive pneumapsychological
counseling.
Philosophical Framework/Core Teachings
1. The human spirit's own psyche and capacity for consciousness
is fused to the physical psyche at conception and birth making
the two uni-operational (since bodily system is voluntarily at
work also by itself). Though the spirit is considered the driver
of the entire mental system, but using the physical brain organ
is restricting the former to limited mental capacity and expressions
and worst, is subject to sinful contamination due to biologically-
acquired defect (sinful nature). Hence, the human spirit's complete
mental freedom and consciousness apart from the brain is impossible,
being temporary suspended while house in the earthly body. Thus,
this sharing of operation with the brain (or using the brain in
a uni-operational sense), the human spirit manifest existence
is strictly confined to it's spiritual expression and awareness
of the outside world through the human psyche. The best felt manifestation
of the human spirit in the human psyche is through it's moral
conscience, the hunger and thirst for spiritual things and other
positive mental-emotional virtues Therefore Spirituality and psychological
status is strongly linked together. One is made healthy by the
other, especially good spirituality's impact on mental health.
The strong relation between spirituality with the psyche is the
source of mental health of the latter. Good spirituality affects
general behavior and mental health.
2. Man's mental enemy is the devil in an attempt to destroy man's
spirit has worked an attack made on the physical psyche thereby
corrupting it and attempting to destroy it (mental illness) so
that this man experience is what we refer to as 'psychological
warfare. Therefore, the objective of counseling is to save the
mind and heart from dysfunctional thinking and promote mental
health and spiritual growth.
3. The mandate to counsel behavioral problems and functional mental
disorders is given to Christians who are competent counselors
capable to use logos therapy.
4. Man's aberrant behavioral problem is linked to the sinful nature
called "Biologically-acquired defect". It is the corruptor
of man's every decision and behavior. So that man becomes primarily
self-centered. self-exalting, self-beneficial, and self-indulgent.
5. Highly-charged Negative emotions such as spiritual guilt, emotional
sins and emotional stressors (S.E.S) form the basis forcharacter
and personality problems (deviations) and mental dysfunction or
illness. The design for the psyche outlet is in terms of spiritual-psychological
outlet (as confessions and prayer) is effectively necessary to
maintain a balance mind (non-schizophrenic).
6. Man's controlling factor and powerful agent for good behavior
is a knowledge of God or his inner conscientious awareness and
a Knowledge of the Word without such and while making this moral
monitor callous makes man totally bent on evil. This necessitates
the continues administration of the Logos therapy
7. Logos therapy is the most effective transformation of the mind
and heart of the person effecting peace, harmony and mental health.
Clinical Practice Principles
1.Clinical Analysis is both spiritual analysis (pneuma-analysis)
and psycho-analysis. Both are performed.
2. The patient is to be read like a living recording data machine.
4 POINTS DEFINITION OF LIFE
past-----------self----------others/worldview------pride/desires
3.The Patient is to be read with a Biologically-acquired Defects
constructs or from Reconstructive-Deconstructive Continuum.
4.The Patient must be read from a Perception-based point of view
or according to the principle of fixation focus
AIR Therapy
Angle view
5.Patient must be read according to the principle of several minds
6.Patient must be read according to the principle of Logos- Spiritual
Vacuum (LSV)
7.Patient must be read according to principle of Emotional outlet
Vacuum.(EOV)
Methods of Interview
1. The Psychological Table-Data Method (4 pt. Definition of life)
2. The C-Method (Container Method)
3. The Situation Analysis method
4. The E-Method (Emotion Analysis Method), guilt,
stressors, emotional Sins.
5. Behavior and attitude interview method/Non-pattern
method
6. Problem-focused interview method
Guide to Clinical Readings when listening to
problems
1. Read Both hidden and overt behavior (inner context)
2. Assume that people will not tell all.
3. Assume people will behave like you behave
4. Assume people in the worst condition. Do not assume they are
angels. They have sinful nature
5. Read through their pride
6. Read through the personality of the person
7. Read the real and complete problem
8. Read through lies and exaggeration
9. Read their motive
10. Find out the real highlight or the message they want to convey.Sometimes
it is hidden in several messages.
