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Self-Transcendence: Integrating Ends and Means in Value Counseling

Walter E. Conn

Counseling and Values April 1, 1994 DOI: 10.1002/j.2161-007x.1994.tb00835.x (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Key points Argues that pastoral counseling is distinguished from secular counseling by "limit experiences" that disclose the fullness of self-transcendence, for Christians a personal relationship with God. Contends that the human spirit's radical drive for self-transcendence unifies every dimension of the developing person, forming a fundamental continuity between pastoral and secular counseling in direction and method despite differences in boundaries, categories, and languages.

Abstract

Pastoral counseling is distinguished from secular counseling by “limit experiences.” These are experiences that disclose the fullness of self-transcendence—for Christians, a personal relationship with God. But the radical drive of the human spirit for self-transcendence unifies every dimension of the developing person. This drive thus forms the basis of a fundamental continuity between pastoral and secular counseling in their directions and methods, despite clear differences in boundaries, categories, and languages.