Spirituality and religion in training, practice and personal development

Abstract

In the midst of a revitalized interest in spirituality and religion in Western societies, there has been reported a resurgence of activity regarding spirituality and religion in the mental health professions, including marriage and family therapy (MFT). Little is known, however, about the beliefs, behaviours, and training experiences of MFT graduate students. Therefore it is important to examine the training (education and supervision) needs in this area. For this initial study, a sample of US MFT graduate students were surveyed regarding their spiritual and religious attitudes and practices in their personal and professional lives. In most areas, graduate students were found to be similar to the previously published reports of practising professionals. In other areas, they report even more investment in spirituality and religion. The results of the survey suggest a need to include systematic attention to these areas in graduate training curricula and in the professional supervision process.

Research to develop spiritual pedagogy, awareness and change

“…The conclusion from most research in this area highlights the fact that despite the importance of religion/spirituality in most clients' lives, practitioners are not given adequate training to prepare them to deal with issues arising in these realms (Delaney, et al, 2007;Shafranske & Malony, 1990). Surveys have shown that professionals reported addressing religious and spiritual issues in their clinical practice yet these issues were rarely or never addressed in the course of their training (Delaney, et al, 2007;Lannert, 1991;Prest, Russel, & D'Souza, 1999;Shafranske & Malony, 1990). …”

Spirituality, Gender, and Supervisory Style in Supervision

“…The acknowledgement that clinicians ought to address spirituality with clients (Griffith & Griffith, 2002;Richards & Bergin, 1997), therefore, has naturally extended to the need for supervisors to discuss this issue with therapists-in-training. Recent authors have argued that spirituality is a key construct for MFT supervisors and supervisees to consider (Carlson & Erickson, 2001;Coffey, 2002;Miller, 1999;Miller et al, 2006Miller et al, , 2004Prest, Russel, & D'Souza 1999;Stander, Piercy, Mackinnon, & Helmeke, 1994). This study examined spirituality as a construct in supervision, based on the supervisee's perspective.…”

“…Several authors (Frame, 2001;Harris, 1998;Prest & Keller, 1993;Prest et al, 1999) discussed how MFT training programs tend to overlook spiritual issues, emphasizing that unless trainees attend programs that espouse spiritual beliefs, spirituality is rarely addressed. Harris (1998) challenged supervisors and therapists to seek spiritual explanations for the basic tenets of MFT theories.…”

Integrating Spirituality into Family Therapy Training: An Exploration of Faculty Members’ Beliefs

“…While research and writing on spirituality in the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT) is still in its infancy, in the past decade a growing body of literature on this topic has emerged (Anderson, & Worthen, 1997;Becvar, 1997;Carlson, Kirkpatrick, Hecker, & Killmer, 2002;Giblin, 1996;Haug, 1998a;Moules, 2000;Prest, Russel, & D'Souza, 1999;Walsh, 1999;Walsh & Pryce, 2003). However, very little empirical research that explores the role of spirituality in the MFT field has been conducted.…”

“…These studies explored the attitudes and beliefs of clinical members of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and MFT students related to the importance they place on the role of spirituality in their own lives, their clinical work, and the training and education of MFTs (Carlson et al, 2002;Prest et al, 1999). Findings in each of these studies indicated that over 90% of AAMFT clinical members and MFT students considered themselves to be spiritual persons, and over 85% reported that they believed there is a relationship between spiritual health and mental health.…”