Working with Spiritual Struggles in Psychotherapy: From Research to Practice

by Kenneth I. Pargament, Julie J. Exline

Does my life have any deeper meaning? Does God really care about me? How can I find and follow my moral compass? What do I do when my faith is shaken to the core? Spiritual trials, doubts, or conflicts are often intertwined with mental health concerns, yet many psychotherapists feel ill equipped to discuss questions of faith. From pioneers in the psychology of religion and spirituality, this book combines state-of-the-art research, clinical insights, and vivid case illustrations. It guides clinicians to understand spiritual struggles as critical crossroads in life that can lead to brokenness and decline--or to greater wholeness and growth. Clinicians learn sensitive, culturally responsive ways to assess different types of spiritual struggles and help clients use them as springboards to change.
 

Genres: Counselling

393 pages, Hardcover

Published November 10, 2021

Reviews

[Joel Cuthbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Last of my major assigned readings for my course on an introduction to Spirituality and Psychotherapy... this one started with some really meaningful explorations on how spirituality can help and also hinder personal development, but it also kinda fell into a bit of an odd cycle where each chapter somewhat reiterated the last... the formula of "How does it cause growth? / How does it cause decline?" and the conclusion of nearly every chapter that it is hard to see where one ends and the other begins grew a bit wearying... then again I was racing to finish it before my one-week intensive module began.

I feel like a briefer summary would have been just as effective and I probably could have done with more intentionally skimming as things progressed.

[David Rope · Rating 5 out of 5]

History is replete with individuals who have struggled with the divine and doubt. This text gives a voice to those with spiritual struggles and how psychotherapy can identify and help clients through their struggles.
Theoretical frameworks are reviewed as well as how to identify and map a mutual plan for those suffering. Highly recommend!