Conrad Baars
Encyclopedia
Conrad W. Baars, M.D., was a Catholic psychiatrist
. His most prominent work is with Dr. Anna Terruwe
in the study of the human emotional life. Their general idea is that many emotional disturbances in a human stem from a lack of experiencing unconditional love during his or her life. He and Terruwe are known for their model of Emotional Deprivation Disorder and a different approach to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
.
Dr. Baars and Dr. Terruwe treated many priest
s and religious in their practices and presented important information to the bishop
s of the Catholic Church.
The Role of the Church in the Causation, Treatment and Prevention of the Crisis in the Priesthood, was copyrighted and published by Franciscan Herald Press (Chicago, Illinois) in 1972 as part of their "Synthesis Series" as 'How to treat and prevent The Crisis in the Priesthood'. Dr. Baars wrote numerous other articles and monographs.
He began his studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Amsterdam. Later, he decided to study medicine. During World War II, the Nazis bombed Rotterdam. The Dutch could no longer be neutral in the war; Baars was forced to flee the country. He joined the French underground resistance. During an organized escape to Spain over the Pyrenees mountains, his group got lost in a sudden snowstorm. Later, they were captured by the Nazis.
After being questioned by the Gestapo, Baars was sent to a concentration camp north of Paris. In the winter of 1943, he was transferred to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Because he was a medical student, he was put in charge of nursing the sick. Despite having better living conditions because of his position, he lost several teeth and suffered from a weakened heart due to malnutrition
. He was freed on April 11, 1945; the day the American army arrived.
In 1946, Baars came to the United States on a student visa. He was an intern at a hospital in Mount Vernon, New York. Later, he moved to Chicago, Illinois to complete a residency program. There, he met his wife, Mary Jean Kennedy. Because of their marriage, Conrad Baars was able to apply for citizenship. His citizenship was granted on January 15, 1951.
After his marriage, Baars went into a residency program for psychiatry at the Minneapolis General Hospital in Minnesota. He grew disillusioned with the current practice of psychotherapy (psychoanalysis) and considered leaving the profession. But, he encountered the works of Anna Terruwe
. He was impressed by her practice of integrating psychology with spirituality. Eventually, he and Terruwe collaborated together. They developed a model of practicing psychiatry based on the mediæval theologian Thomas Aquinas
.
Conrad Baars held a private practice in San Antonio, Texas. He also wrote books on his ideas and lectured around the country in hopes of reforming the practice of psychiatry. He died on October 18, 1981. His daughter Suzanne Baars carries on his work.
Psychiatry
Psychiatry is the medical specialty devoted to the study and treatment of mental disorders. These mental disorders include various affective, behavioural, cognitive and perceptual abnormalities...
. His most prominent work is with Dr. Anna Terruwe
Anna Terruwe
Dr. Anna A. A. Terruwe was a Catholic psychiatrist from the Netherlands. She discovered emotional deprivation disorder and how obsessive-compulsive disorder could be healed: the "bevestigingsleer," the idea of "affirmation."Terruwe based her work on that of Thomas Aquinas and "the relevance of...
in the study of the human emotional life. Their general idea is that many emotional disturbances in a human stem from a lack of experiencing unconditional love during his or her life. He and Terruwe are known for their model of Emotional Deprivation Disorder and a different approach to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Obsessive–compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterized by intrusive thoughts that produce uneasiness, apprehension, fear, or worry, by repetitive behaviors aimed at reducing the associated anxiety, or by a combination of such obsessions and compulsions...
.
Dr. Baars and Dr. Terruwe treated many priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
s and religious in their practices and presented important information to the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
s of the Catholic Church.
The Role of the Church in the Causation, Treatment and Prevention of the Crisis in the Priesthood, was copyrighted and published by Franciscan Herald Press (Chicago, Illinois) in 1972 as part of their "Synthesis Series" as 'How to treat and prevent The Crisis in the Priesthood'. Dr. Baars wrote numerous other articles and monographs.
Biography
Conrad (Koert) W. Baars was born in Rotterdam, Netherlands on January 2, 1919. He was the second of six children.He began his studies in Chemical Engineering at the University of Amsterdam. Later, he decided to study medicine. During World War II, the Nazis bombed Rotterdam. The Dutch could no longer be neutral in the war; Baars was forced to flee the country. He joined the French underground resistance. During an organized escape to Spain over the Pyrenees mountains, his group got lost in a sudden snowstorm. Later, they were captured by the Nazis.
After being questioned by the Gestapo, Baars was sent to a concentration camp north of Paris. In the winter of 1943, he was transferred to the Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Because he was a medical student, he was put in charge of nursing the sick. Despite having better living conditions because of his position, he lost several teeth and suffered from a weakened heart due to malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
. He was freed on April 11, 1945; the day the American army arrived.
In 1946, Baars came to the United States on a student visa. He was an intern at a hospital in Mount Vernon, New York. Later, he moved to Chicago, Illinois to complete a residency program. There, he met his wife, Mary Jean Kennedy. Because of their marriage, Conrad Baars was able to apply for citizenship. His citizenship was granted on January 15, 1951.
After his marriage, Baars went into a residency program for psychiatry at the Minneapolis General Hospital in Minnesota. He grew disillusioned with the current practice of psychotherapy (psychoanalysis) and considered leaving the profession. But, he encountered the works of Anna Terruwe
Anna Terruwe
Dr. Anna A. A. Terruwe was a Catholic psychiatrist from the Netherlands. She discovered emotional deprivation disorder and how obsessive-compulsive disorder could be healed: the "bevestigingsleer," the idea of "affirmation."Terruwe based her work on that of Thomas Aquinas and "the relevance of...
. He was impressed by her practice of integrating psychology with spirituality. Eventually, he and Terruwe collaborated together. They developed a model of practicing psychiatry based on the mediæval theologian Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
.
Conrad Baars held a private practice in San Antonio, Texas. He also wrote books on his ideas and lectured around the country in hopes of reforming the practice of psychiatry. He died on October 18, 1981. His daughter Suzanne Baars carries on his work.
Books
- Baars, Conrad W., I Will Give Them A New Heart: Reflections on the Priesthood and the Renewal of the Church, Suzanne M. Baars and Bonnie N. Shayne (eds.). Staten Island, NY: ST PAULS/Alba House, 2008.
- Baars, Conrad W., Feeling and Healing Your Emotions, Rev. ed. Suzanne M. Baars and Bonnie N. Shayne (eds.). Plainfield, NJ: Logos International, 1979, Gainesville, FL: Bridge-Logos, 2003.
- Baars, Conrad W., Born Only Once: The Miracle of Affirmation, Quincy, Ill: Franciscan Press, Quincy University, 2001.
- Baars, Conrad W., Doctor of the Heart, Staten Island, NY: Alba House, 1996.
- Baars, Conrad W. & Anna A. Terruwe. Healing the Unaffirmed: Recognizing Emotional Deprivation Disorder, Rev. ed. Suzanne M. Baars and Bonnie N. Shayne (eds.). Staten Island, NY: ST PAULS/Alba House, 2002. (Previously published by Alba House as Healing the Unaffirmed: Recognizing Deprivation Neurosis.)
- Terruwe, Anna. A & Conrad W. Baars. Psychic Wholeness and Healing: Using All The Powers of the Human Pysche, Staten Island, NY: Alba House, 1981.
- Aumann, Jordan and Conrad W. Baars. The Unquiet Heart, Staten Island, NY: Alba House, 1991.
Pamphlets
The following pamphlets in the Synthesis Series by Franciscan Press are now available as part of the newly published book I Will Give Them A New Heart: Reflections on the Priesthood and the Renewal of the Church. (See information above.)- Baars, Conrad W., How to Treat and Prevent The Crisis in the Priesthood, Chicago, Ill: Franciscan Press, 1972.
- Baars, Conrad W., A Priest for All Seasons: Masculine and Celibate, Chicago, Ill: Franciscan Press, 1972.
- Baars, Conrad W. The Homosexual's Search for Happiness, Chicago, Ill: Franciscan Press, 1976.
Websites
- Conrad Baars: Website by Suzanne M. Baars, M.A. (Conrad Baars' daughter) and Bonnie N. Shayne, M.A.
- Anna Terruwe + Conrad Baars: Website by S. van de Berkt.