Soul and System: The Integrative Possibilities of Family Therapy

Abstract

This article presents a review of the interface of family systems theory and therapy with religious, spiritual, or faith perspectives, with particular emphasis on Christian theology and Scripture. A brief review of the literature shows the relative paucity of work in this area to date. It is argued that family therapy is a particularly fertile ground for the integration of theological, religious, and spiritual considerations. Three points of intersection between family systems theory and biblical concepts—context, legacy, and body life—are discussed to illustrate the considerable promise of family systems theory for future integrative work. Implications for practice are discussed within a framework outlining three means of including religion or spirituality in the clinical work of family therapy—as resource, as culture, or as context. Borrowing from the family systems theory emphasis on epistemology, a definition of “second-order integration” is suggested, which may help to clarify the field's “thinking about thinking” about integration.

Integrating Religion and Spirituality in Marriage and Family Counseling

“…Spirituality tends to be "universal, ecumenical, internal, affective, spontaneous, and private" (p. 31). Although some authors choose to use the words religion and spirituality interchangeably (e.g., Joanides, 1996; Watson, 1997), we do not and instead recognize differences between the terms.…”

“…Instead, the discipline emerged from many diverse influences, including anthropology, computer science, biology, and sociology, all of which are concerned with the nature of systems. Thus, antireligious bias promoted by the medical model and early psychological thought has much less of a foundation in marriage and family counseling (Watson, 1997).…”

“…This integration often takes the form of explicit integration. Watson (1997) described three broad ways of including religion and spirituality in marriage and family counseling. The first method is to use "religion as resource" (p. 130); the religious tradition of the family can be used as a means of promoting healing or growth.…”

Coping with a Child's Death

“…A third genre of research on spiritual issues in coping with a child's death relates to the use of spiritual resources in the coping process. A number of authors have noted the general importance of spirituality and religion in the lives of many Americans (Bergin, Masters, Stinchfield, Gaskin, Sullivan, Reynolds, & Greaves, 1997;Steere, 1997), and it is not uncommon for persons coping with distress to turn to religious or spiritual sources of support for comfort and healing (Larson & Larson, 1992;Prest & Keller, 1993;Watson, 1997). Specific sources of spiritual support utilized may include consultations with clergy or spiritual leaders, engagement in religious rituals or practices, use of prayer or meditation, and discussion with others about spiritual questions (Knapp, 1986;Patterson, Hayworth, Turner, & Raskin, 2000).…”

Postmodernism and the Sacred: Reclaiming Connection in Our Greater‐than‐human Worlds

“…Next Previous First Stander, Piercy, Mackinnon, & Helmeke, 1994;Walsh, 1998Walsh, , 1999Watson, 1997). Wright (1997;1999;Wright et al, 1996), who has been addressing the place of spirituality with families experiencing illness for many years, considers a large part of her clinical work with families to be an act of "reverencing."…”