
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 4, 1991                   TAG: 9104050584
SECTION: NEIGHBORS                    PAGE: E-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Frances Stebbins
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

PASTORS CAN WORK WITH DOCTORS TO HELP DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES

Ministers and doctors can work together to help the dysfunctional family, where too much control and too little love result in warped personalities, according to a psychiatrist and a minister.

Dr. William D. Clarkson and the Rev. Ben Rogers, also an alcoholism counselor, spoke to about 25 pastors and doctors during a recent Physician-Clergy Dialogue at Lewis-Gale Hospital.

Clarkson said a counselor sees a high percentage of troubled people who cannot live up to perfectionist standards set by rigid parents. Mental conflicts may stem from putting on the face of a perfect Christian when individuals know they are acting unacceptably.

Such people do not feel a sense of God's forgiveness, Rogers said. They "have a big hole in their feelings" and cannot admit even to themselves that they are often angry and fearful.

Clarkson said most troubled people have to hurt badly and sense their lives are out of control before they seek help, but the pattern of dysfunction often can be broken with the younger generation.

For this reason, said Rogers, a pastor should try to help everyone in a family when only one appears troubled.

Usually, he said, there is at least one person in the family who can be reached and helped in the desire to bring stability.

by CNB