Das Gefühl der »Besessenheit«? Religiosität als Herausforderung und Ressource in der systemischen Psychotherapie / The Feeling of »Possession«? Religiosity as a Challenge and Resource in Systemic Psychotherapy?
Nicole Bauer
Kontext March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.13109/kont.2026.57.1.5 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A devoutly religious woman experiencing what she understood as "demonic possession" |
| Key findings | Argues that systemic therapy methods, including reframing, genogram work, and narrative trauma therapy, can validate and reframe religious experiences such as perceived "demonic possession" without pathologizing them, and that spiritual narratives can serve as therapeutic resources; calls for greater religious sensitivity in psychotherapy training. |
Abstract
Summary The Feeling of »Possession«? Religiosity as a Challenge and Resource in Systemic Psychotherapy Religious interpretations of psychological suffering present unique challenges for psychotherapists. This article discusses the case of a devoutly religious woman experiencing ≫demonic possession≪, using a systemic therapy approach. The case highlights how systemic methods such as reframing, genogram work, and narrative trauma therapy can validate and reframe religious experiences without pathologizing them. Drawing on constructivist epistemology, the article shows how spiritual narratives can be integrated as resources within therapy. It concludes with a call for greater inclusion of religious sensitivity in psychotherapy training.