Identifying and integrating helpful and harmful religious beliefs into psychotherapy.

Abstract

The 2 main roles of the psychotherapist involve identifying and understanding the client's problems/strengths and treating problems. Suggestions are offered to guide addressing or avoiding religious beliefs in both roles. Types of religious beliefs that contribute to distress, particularly for youth, are identified and treatment options are offered.

A study of posttraumatic spiritual transformation and forgiveness among victims of significant interpersonal offences

“…A key finding of this study was the importance of religion and spirituality in individuals experiencing spiritual growth. Psychologists have been criticised for ignoring religious and spiritual variables in research and practice (Rosenfeld, 2010), yet these results suggest it is critical for clinicians to recognise the role of religion and spirituality in clients' lives in order to understand spiritual growth following a significant interpersonal offence. A recent interdivisional taskforce of the American Psychological Association, judged tailoring psychotherapy to the client's religion/ 132…”

Psychotherapy and the Fundamentalist Client: The Aims and Challenges of Treating Jehovah’s Witnesses

“…Assuming the patient's religious beliefs can be maintained without causing severe mental distress, it may be useful for the therapist to avoid challenging them and to help the patient use them in ways that are more optimally beneficial. For example, Rosenfeld (2010) suggests directing the patient's attention to the more supportive aspects of their religious beliefs. If they tend to focus on punishment for sins and condemnation, the therapist can bring to their attention other beliefs and practices ''such as forgiveness, or confession, repentance, and restitution to reduce guilt'' (Rosenfeld 2010, p. 521).…”

“…Rosenfeld (2010) provides an example of integrating religious beliefs into treatment wherein a depressed patient felt guilty about having homicidal thoughts toward her mother. Attempts by the therapist to ''normalize these thoughts'' were unsuccessful, and it was only once she realized that her religion made no distinction between thoughts and actions that she was able to get at the root of the problem (Rosenfeld 2010, p. 521).…”

“…However, more and more people are beginning to express the idea that incorporating these areas of an individual's experience can be immensely helpful in treatment (Bartz 2009;Richards and Potts 1995;Saunders et al 2010). There is an equally divided opinion as to whether religious beliefs in general are more helpful (Rosenfeld 2010;Van Ness 1999) or harmful (Montague 1977;Rosenfeld 2010;Van Ness 1999) to mental health. The reality is that religion, just like any other facet of a person's life, has the potential to be a source of resilience and support or to have detrimental effects on emotional and psychological well-being.…”

The Case of Abel: Religion as Boon and Bane for a Catholic Gay Man

“…There is evidence to support the contention that religion has both positive and negative effects on individuals (American Psychological Association [APA], 2007). Religion is an important positive influence in the lives of the vast majority of people (APA, 2007;Delaney, Miller, & Bisono, 2007;Knapp, Lemoncelli, & VandeCreek, 2010) and has been found to be associated with good mental health (APA, 2007;Knapp et al, 2010;Rosario, Yali, Hunter, & Gwadz, 2006;Rosenfeld, 2010). For some clients, religion is an important part of identity (Milstein, Manierre, & Yali, 2010).…”