ReligiositySpirituality (RS) in the Clinical Context: Professional Experiences of Psychotherapists

Abstract

Although the scientifi c production on religiosity/spirituality (R/S) is increasing, notably from their connection with the health dimension, this theme is practically absent in Psychology training. The objective of this study was to learn the professional reality of psychotherapists regarding their clinical experiences and the R/S dimension. Twenty-four professionals from two cities in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil, with an average psychotherapy experience of 10.54 years, were interviewed individually. The interviews were transcribed in full and analyzed from the R/S literature. Such a dimension is evoked as relevant for all psychotherapists, although it has not been suffi ciently addressed in their training. The exploration of R/S stems from client demands and presents at times as an important resource for intervention, while in other times hinders the development of many conditions. The recent proposals of the Psychology Councils regarding R/S are unknown by the professionals, suggesting the need for greater dialog and also the presence of such discussions in Psychology training.

Client preference accommodation for religious/spiritual integration and psychotherapy outcomes in naturalistic practice settings.

“…The strongest preference of the three categories was for R/S integration, suggesting that clients, as a group, prefer some level of integration to occur, but they do not desire a lot of time to be spent on R/S issues and an R/S match with a psychotherapist is not deemed necessary to facilitate the integration. This finding matches previous research indicating that clients do prefer R/S integration in psychotherapy (Cunha & Comin, 2019; Dimmick et al, 2021; Martinez et al, 2007; Post & Wade, 2009; Rose et al, 2001; Rosmarin et al, 2015); however, given that our preference questions also assessed preference strength, our findings add to the literature suggesting that the R/S preferences may not be as strong as previously thought.…”

“…The first aim was to identify the magnitude of client preferences for R/S integration overall, the amount of time desired to be spent on R/S topics, and the importance of a R/S match with a psychotherapist, and test whether these preferences differed depending on whether the client identified as religious. Based on the existing research (Cunha & Comin, 2019; Dimmick et al, 2021; Martinez et al, 2007; Post & Wade, 2009; Rose et al, 2001; Rosmarin et al, 2015), we hypothesized that preferences for R/S integration would exist and that religious clients, compared with nonreligious clients, would hold stronger preferences in each of the three areas. Within this aim, we also desired to understand whether client preferences in these three areas were related to expectations that R/S integration would lead to improved outcomes.…”

“…In summary, the existing research indicates that R/S clients often prefer R/S integration in psychotherapy (Cunha & Comin, 2019; Dimmick et al, 2021; Martinez et al, 2007; Post & Wade, 2009; Rose et al, 2001; Rosmarin et al, 2015). Research also suggests that preference accommodation in non-R/S aspects of treatment (Swift et al, 2018) and R/S integration for R/S clients (Captari et al, 2018) leads to improved treatment outcomes.…”

“…Although the findings on preferences for R/S matching with a psychotherapist are mixed, other research has consistently indicated that clients do have preferences for including R/S discussions and techniques in psychotherapy (Cunha & Comin, 2019; Post & Wade, 2009). For example, two studies found that a majority of clients want to discuss R/S issues to some degree in treatment (Rose et al, 2001; Rosmarin et al, 2015).…”

Spirituality and Health in Brazil: A Survey Snapshot of Research Groups

“…(b) The lack of S&H training for students and health professionals (Cavalheiro and Falcke 2014;Costa et al 2019;Lucchetti and Granero 2010;Aguiar et al 2017). (c) Integration of spirituality into healthcare (Esperandio 2014;Moreira-Almeida et al 2006;Sens et al 2019;Cunha and Comin 2019;Oliveira et al 2018). (d) Relationship between spirituality/religiosity and health in the general population (Lucchetti et al 2013;Cavalcanti et al 2012;Moreira-Almeida et al 2010).…”