Clinical Perspectives on Religion and Anxiety: Balancing Healing and Harm

Course overview

This course is designed for master's and doctoral-level mental health professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of the complex intersection between religion and mental health. Clients often experience powerful emotions connected to their spiritual beliefs, ranging from challenging feelings such as shame, guilt, and anxiety, to positive emotions including inspiration, motivation, and inner peace. Participants will explore evidence-based frameworks for sensitively addressing religion and spirituality within therapeutic settings. Key topics include strategies for managing religiously-based shame and guilt, understanding spiritual anxiety, and effectively harnessing clients' religious motivations for therapeutic growth. Emphasis will also be placed on ethical considerations, cultural competency, and respecting diverse religious traditions and experiences.