Book Review: Shared Grace: Therapists and Clergy Working Together

Shared Grace: Therapists and Clergy Working Together. Marion Bilich, Susan Bonfiglio, and Steven Carlson (Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Pastoral Press, 2000). 230 pp. $24.95. (soft) If you enjoy the challenge of integrating psychology and spirituality-in this case, abnormal psychology-in your vocation, you are sure to enjoy this insightful, much-needed new book. Based on a quite fascinating, in-depth case study which extends over months, if not years, Shared Graceis aimed at three groups: therapists and other mental health professionals, ministers, and survivors of severe abuse. While it is understandable how the first of these two groups would benefit from the book, I cannot as easily imagine how survivors of severe abuse would find the volume transformative. Shared Graceis a resource for clergy and helpers from all faith perspectives who work with religiously oriented people in need. Marion Bilich, a Jewish psychologist, Steven Carlson, a Protestant minister, and Susan Bonfiglio, a Protestant social worker, co-author Shared Grace. Bilich is nationally known for her work on eating disorders. Carlson, an associate youth pastor, joined the therapeutic case unveiled in the book as part of his internship. Bonfiglio, a member of the church where Carlson ministers, entered the case as a member of a parish support group established to provide support for Teresa, the client, who initially sought therapy from Bilich. Shared Graceconsists of nine chapters and six appendices. Topics for the chapters range from "Our Story: Beginnings"; "Healing the Effects of Severe Childhood Abuse"; "The Benevolence Model"; "Implementation of the Benevolence Model I: Transforming Images and Experience"; "Implementation of the Benevolence Model II: Healing Through Relationship"; "Working Together: Guidelines for Therapist/Clergy Collaboration"; "Establishment of Support Groups"; "Healing Interventions"; concluding with "Therapists and Clergy Growing Together." The appendices range from "Teresa's Personality Structure"; "Resources for Therapists"; "Resources for Clergy"; "Resources for Support Group Members"; "Resources for Survivors"; concluding with "Resources for Guided Imagery." Chapters in the book are sequential and flow naturally. Early on, however, the editor failed to integrate the three authors' comments, and this leaves the reader wishing for more interweaving of the patchwork. This lack of integration is only toward the beginning. The authors of this volume raise, and then address, a number of good existential questions for which science has not been an adequate source of answers. Bilich, Carlson, and Bonfiglio introduce a Benevolence Model as a framework to help answer these kinds of questions responsibly through collaboration. Along thatjourney, they ask, "Is there any way for a therapist and a minister to overcome the preconceived notions that they have about each other's work?" (p.2) and, "How can a therapist and a minister co-labor to address dysfunctional images of God within a person in need?" The thesis of this innovative work is that collaboration on the part of a therapist and a minister will lead to a deeper, richer experience for the client. The authors succeed in defending this thesis. The Benevolence Model is a definite strength of the book. It is impressively comprehensive, yet simple to understand and employ. The penultimate emphasis of the Benevolence Model is the helpers' love for the client, and thereby, his or her incarnation of God's love. The book's case study is effectively used as an example to demonstrate each aspect of the Benevolence ModeJ. Bilich and company offer valuable and highly practical guidelines and suggestions for anyone who wishes to undertake collaborative therapy. The authors dis-