Integrating Spirituality into MFT Training: A Reflexive Curriculum and Qualitative Evaluation

Abstract

When clients enter the therapy room they bring unique spiritual beliefs and values in with them; however, marital and family therapists (MFTs) often lack training to assist in this important area of diversity. Current training recommendations encourage therapists to explore their own spirituality to identify personal limitations that may occlude positive client outcomes; however very little information exists on the implementation and usefulness of this type of training. This article will describe a curriculum and report results from a qualitative study of students who participated in a reflexive spirituality practicum course offered in a COAMFTE accredited doctoral program at a private, religious institution. Through this, we hope to provide a training model to further spiritual integration activities in MFT.

Systematic Review of Diversity and Curriculum Improvement Case Studies

“…Some medical educators argue that if practitioners were effectively self-aware, open to new ideas, and invested in the stories of others, we might not need to teach diversity separately (Chun, 2010;Nazar, Kendall, Day, & Nazar). However, they note that we are far from this goal or from creating graduate school programs that interrogate structural inequality, promote deep learning about diversity, or provide safe spaces for all students to thrive (Gómez, 2023;Nazar, Kendall, Day, & Nazar;Williams-Reade, Lobo, & Gutierrez, 2019).…”