(WC 94745 SEARS 2025) When Spirituality Masks Pain Interventions for Spiritual Bypassing and the Role of Religious Coping

Course overview

Spirituality can ground clients in strength and meaning - but it can also be used to sidestep unresolved emotions, trauma, or psychological work. Dr. Richard Sears, a clinical psychologist, Zen teacher, and internationally recognized mindfulness expert, will show you how to honor clients' beliefs while guiding them toward honest, present, and compassionate engagement with their pain. You'll learn to: Recognize when spirituality functions as avoidance rather than growth Address the three most common bypassing patterns with targeted interventions Integrate mindfulness, values, and evidence-based strategies to support genuine healing