Incorporating Your Client's Faith & Spirituality in Therapeutic Process

Course overview

The United States is one of the most religious countries in the Western world and there is a vast array of faith traditions. The vast majority of Americans believe in God with many reporting that they have had a profound spiritual experience that changed the direction of their life. Historically there has been a rift between psychology and religion, but as helping professionals, we need to recognize the significant contribution of religion and spirituality to an individual's overall wellbeing. There are numerous studies providing empirical evidence suggesting a strong link between a person's spiritual and religious beliefs and their physical and mental health. Spirituality can be identified as a resource to complement psychological interventions which enhance coping during times of losses, conflicts, disappointments, and health issues. It is often in situations of strain and tension that the greatest relevance of religion may be found. As therapists, we must be respectful of all faith traditions and respect our client's personal spiritual beliefs, but we can also create a safe place for our clients to preserve, evaluate, question, and revise their beliefs. In this training, Esther Williams will help you receive evidence-based research on the impact of spirituality and faith on wellbeing, insight into the major spiritual traditions and Great World Religions, and acquire ways to integrate spirituality into your personal counseling orientation. Attendees will gain understanding about the power of faith, nature, meditation, mindfulness, and prayer for overall mental and physical health, and how to enhance the inclusion of healthy forms of religion, spirituality and spiritual disciplines into the therapeutic process.