Exploring Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy as a Modality: How it is Evolving in the Ontario, Canada Context and the Relevance of Contributions from the Fields of Theology and Spiritual Care

Abstract

This paper surveys the current understanding of spiritually integrated psychotherapy (SIP) and connects the historical role of religious training to better understand how SIP is developing as a psychotherapy modality in Ontario, Canada. The paper clarifies how SIP is defined and proposes three levels of practice: spiritually conscious therapy, spiritually informed therapy, and spiritually integrated therapy. As evidence-based and practiced-based literature expands, more consensus is needed in how SIP terminology is used.