Secular therapy and orthodox confession in the light of the teaching of mother Silouana

This article examines the relationship between secular psychotherapy and the sacrament of confession in the Orthodox tradition, drawing on the teaching of Mother Silouana, a contemporary Romanian nun. Written by a practicing therapist, it adopts both a clinical and theological approach, articulating the contributions of modern psychology with the spiritual process of repentance. The central idea is that the human psychic structure and the path of Christian conversion are not opposed but complementary: secular therapy can prepare or accompany the movement of repentance that finds its fulfillment in sacramental confession. The contribution of the article lies in shedding light on an original Orthodox synthesis, which integrates the understanding of constraining psychic patterns within a spiritual anthropology oriented toward liberation in Christ.