Premium
Religion and spirituality in psychotherapy: a practice‐friendly review of research
Author(s) -
Post Brian C.,
Wade Nathaniel G.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.20563
Subject(s) - spirituality , psychological intervention , psychotherapist , psychology , spiritual development , alternative medicine , medicine , psychiatry , pathology
The role of religion and spirituality in psychotherapy has received growing attention in the last two decades, with a focus on understanding the ways that religion and spirituality relate to therapists, clients, and treatment methods. The authors reviewed recent empirical research on religion and spirituality in psychotherapy to inform practitioners about effective ways to incorporate the sacred into their clinical work. Three main areas are covered: religion/spirituality and therapists, religion/spirituality and clients, and religious/spiritual interventions. Research indicates that therapists are open to religious/spiritual issues, that clients want to discuss these matters in therapy, and that the use of religious/spiritual interventions for some clients can be an effective adjunct to traditional therapy interventions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65:131–146, 2009.