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CLINICAL PRACTICE

The Value of Reparative Intelligence in Christian Soul Care from the Society for Christian Psychology CHRISTIAN PSYCH NOTES Nicolene L. Joubert, Ph.D.

t The nature of intelligence has been keenly investigated and defined in the field of psychology during the 20th century. It was first defined as a singular concept referring to cognitive intelligence, but it has expanded to include multiple intelligences. The question arises about the role of intelligence in restorative justice and healing past and present relational wounds. Reparative intelligence (RI) is a concept that refers to the type of intelligence necessary to achieve restorative justice. In this article, the intersection between reparative, emotional, and spiritual intelligence is explored and considered as a framework to address past hurts and dysfunctional relational patterns with the aim of seeking restoration for oneself and others. Haman (2025) defined reparative intelligence as the

process of seeking restoration for oneself while facilitating the restoration of other people. He stated it “… is discov ering the truth about one’s childhood and life, seeking restoration for oneself, and facilitating the restoration of persons, systems, and environments through care and with compassion” (p. 1). Reparative intelligence is rooted in the psychodynamic of object-relations theories and reflects the quality of internalized and actual relationships. The RI concept expands the idea of rationality and cognitive intelligence as it draws from object-relation theories. It resonates with the work of Gardner, who has teased out the idea of intelligence and logic to include various skills and capabilities, resulting in the theory of multiple intelligences (MI) (Gardner, 2011; Morgan, 2021).

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