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A practice‐based evidence investigation of God representations in spiritually integrated psychotherapies
Author(s) -
Currier Joseph M.,
McDermott Ryon C.,
Stevens Laura T.,
Isaak Steven L.,
Davis Edward B.,
Hollingsworth WilliamGlenn L.,
Archer Glenn D.,
Stefurak Tres
Publication year - 2021
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.23075
Subject(s) - psychology , psychological intervention , session (web analytics) , distress , psychotherapist , psychological distress , authoritarianism , spirituality , social psychology , clinical psychology , mental health , psychiatry , alternative medicine , medicine , democracy , pathology , politics , world wide web , computer science , law , political science
Objective This practice‐based evidence study examined trajectories of God representations and psychological distress among Christians participating in spiritually integrated psychotherapies (SIPs). Methods In total, 17 clinicians practicing SIPs in a mid‐sized city on the US Gulf Coast implemented session‐to‐session assessments of these outcomes with 158 clients over a 4‐month period and also reported their use of specific spiritual interventions after each session (e.g., affirmed client's divine worth). Results Multivariate growth modeling revealed clients' psychological distress decreased over the study period whereas authoritarian God representations increased and benevolent God representations remained stable. In addition, clients who increased in benevolent representations of God had a greater likelihood of experiencing alleviation of psychological distress. Conclusion These findings affirm the potential efficacy of SIPs and cultural importance of belief in a benevolent deity as a source of strength, identity, and potential healing among Christians clients who prefer a spiritually integrated approach in psychotherapy.