CAN RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES BECOME DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES - SOURCES OF COUNTERTRANSFERENCE FOR THE RELIGIOUSLY COMMITTED PSYCHOTHERAPIST

This article examines how the dysfunctional aspects of religious commu nities can lead to countertransference for the religiously committed t herapist. The thesis of this article is that some religious organizati ons parallel the dynamics of the incestuous family. The rigid distinct ions often made in religious groups between ''insider'' and ''outsider '' generate problems of rigid family loyalty. In both settings, weak b oundaries and ego-fusion lead to inappropriate need gratification, of which incest is one form. Case histories are cited to support the auth ors' contention that religiously committed therapists need to analyze their own primitive fantasies about their religious affiliations in or der to avoid countertransference acting out such as ''rescuing'' patie nts, participating in dual relationships, and even sexual activity wit h patients.