A review of attempts to integrate spiritual and standard psychotherapy techniques.

Abstract

This is a review of attempts to integrate psychotherapeutic techniques derived from religious/spiritual and secular psychological perspectives including findings from the cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, existential-humanistic, and health psychology areas. While research evidence is not abundant, traditional approaches are being applied to spiritual concerns, and spiritual thought is being extended into clinical domains. Caveats abound, but on the whole, commonalities are plentiful and rapprochement is evidenced where neglect formerly existed. Empirical and theoretical efforts have yielded seminal strategies for coping with therapeutic issues laced with spiritual/religious meaning. Working within the clients' value framework is emphasized while being cognizant of one's own values and biases. The use of prayer, forgiveness, scriptural reference or imagery need not be limited to committed believers although understanding and appreciation of these spiritually-derived approaches are essential. There is progress toward compatibility, complementarity, and cohesion among these diverse components of psychotherapy.

Empirical research on religion and psychotherapeutic processes and outcomes: A 10-year review and research prospectus.

“…Furthermore, the recent growth of the number of adherents to Islam within the African American community provides an excellent opportunity to investigate religious counseling with people who are not Christian or Jewish or to compare Christian, Muslim, and nonreligious clients' responses to counseling. Payne et al (1992) summarized religious adaptations of cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, existential-humanistic, and health psychology programs; however, they reviewed little empirical research. Most theoretical integration has combined Protestant Christianity and some approach to counseling.…”

Spiritual issues and interventions in the treatment of patients with eating disorders

“…There is now considerable empirical evidence that spiritual practices promote physical and emotional healing (Benson, 1996;Borysenko & Borysenko, 1994). Several studies have also shown that psychotherapy with religious clients that includes spiritual interventions in the treatment package is as effective, and sometimes more effective, than standard secular treatments (Payne, Bergin, & Loftus, 1992;Worthington et al, 1996).…”

Does Therapist–Rater Religious Match Predict Higher Therapist Ratings?

“…Sowders (2001) found no significant interactions between participants' extrinsic or intrinsic religious orientation and the preference for a therapist's usage of a religious or a nonreligious counseling approach. Both these findings support the possibility that respect for the client's religious beliefs may be more important than the religious matching of therapists and clients (Kelly, 1995;Mayers et al, 2007;Payne, Bergin, & Loftus, 1992;Richards & Bergin, 1997;Stolovy et al, 2013). For example, Kelly et al (1996) found that 43.8% of Muslim clients did not prefer either a Muslim or a non-Muslim therapist, provided that non-Muslim therapists have an understanding of Islamic values.…”