PNA

Psychonöetic Analysis™

    PNA is a clinical theological paradigm used in the healing of souls and minds.  PNA has no direct relationship to contemporary medical or humanistic professional psychotherapy.  PNA is catechetical, hermeneutical and therapeutic (i.e., therapéia).  Clinical theology draws from the Pastoral Theology, Theological Anthropology and Patristic Teachings from the Holy Tradition of the authentic Orthodox Christian Church.  PNA only adds to clinical theology the methodology of the theistic-oriented existential-phenomenology gleaned from contemporary Greek Orthodox philosophers and the cognitive-behavioral views of the Elder Tadej (Štrbulović) or known by English-speaking as Elder Thaddeus (Strabulovich) as well as St Silouan the Athonite and others of the Church’s Holy Fathers.

    The Analyst or PNA clinician suspends all judgment and all possible pre-conceptions about the analysand or the vásano (one who is suffering) aka the client as the two enter into a theologically-informed clinical relationship in which  both the clinician & Christ joins the vásano’s journey by way of his or her personal narrative and experience by being confronted with aspects of the self-same narrative and the present moment experiences as well.  If necessary the analysand and clinician may look at earlier moments in one’s past if there seems to be a connection to a current issue of which one is spiritually suffering.  Sessions are 90 minutes long for which lay-clinicians should only charge as for 50 minutes (of medical psychotherapy) while monastic and clergy clinicians are dependent upon free will donations.  However, as of August 2018, there does not exist a training curriculum in Psychonöetic Analysis.  PNA developed over several years by the Hieromonk Symeon (Davidsen Kilmer).  Fr Symeon’s c.v. may be read here.

Above it was stated that, Psychonöetic Analysis (PNA) is catechetical, hermeneutical and therapeutic.  How is this to be understood?  PNA is catechetical in similar way psychoeducation is used.  Frequently, one’s troubles are due to an error in their worldview.  We attempt to correct these errors by a clinical catechesis.  PNA is hermeneutical, meaning this aspect is the analysis; the search to comprehend the problem and the experiences associated with the problem in its lived landscape (context).  PNA is therapeutic in a similar manner the Mystery of Confession is therapeutic.  It simply is applying change to one’s self. Whatever tasks, exercises or prayers that maybe prescribed it ultimately is a conviction, a decision on the part of the client to make the desired changes.  The role of the PNA clinician is to facilitate awareness and suggest a better path.  In other words, PNA honors the divine gift given to all of us –Free Will– therefore the client is always in charge of him or her self.  ⊕