Spiritually integrated psychotherapies in real-world clinical practice: Synthesizing the literature to identify best practices and future research directions.

Abstract

A comprehensive review of the practice-based evidence for spiritually integrated psychotherapy (SIP) is necessary in order to catalyze research and training in this important diversity area. In this article, we identify and synthesize key findings from 35 studies in six key areas: (a) SIPs in trauma treatment, (b) SIPs in treating eating disorders, (c) SIPs in general psychotherapy, (d) existential concerns as part of SIPs, (e) patients and therapist attitudes about SIPs, and (f) SIP supervision and training models. Building on this, we propose a culturally contextual understanding of this diversity area, drawing from the Relational Spirituality Model (RSM). Finally, we discuss best practices for spiritually responsive clinical care and offer a research prospectus to strengthen the evidence base for real-world effectiveness. Clinical Impact Statement Question:In what ways are clients' spirituality, religion, theology, and/or existential concerns relevant in real-world mental health treatment? Findings: Clients' spiritual and religious context have important implications for their symptom alleviation and well-being, and may intersect with other areas of their identity. Meaning: Therapists should consider spirituality as an important diversity area that may be a source of strength or struggle for clients. Next Steps: Ongoing research is needed to understand the nuances of how clients' spirituality is best integrated into psychotherapy with different populations.

The relation between religion/spirituality and mental health is mediated by self-compassion: Evidence from two longitudinal studies in the Dutch-speaking general population.

“…The results indicate that interventions on R/S could be used in therapy to overcome or minimize depression and anxiety symptoms and/or to promote well-being. Captari et al (2022) described suggestions for spiritually integrated psychotherapies. Second, interventions on raising self-compassion can lead to a decrease in depression and anxiety symptoms and an increase in well-being or in other words, to a better mental health (Wilson et al, 2019; Zessin et al, 2015).…”

Supporting chaplains on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic: A mixed-method practice-based pilot intervention study.

“…Considering the salience of spirituality to chaplains’ identities and the evidence for social support as a protective factor, we integrated the relational spirituality model (RSM) within a well-established interpersonally oriented support group modality (Yalom & Leszcz, 2020) to develop a time-limited intervention for this population. The RSM aligns with dual-factor understandings of mental health by attending to both (a) symptoms and suffering and (b) well-being and flourishing (Captari et al, 2021) and has previously been integrated into psychotherapy (Sandage, Rupert, et al, 2020) and religious leader formation (Jankowski et al, 2021). The RSM formulates spirituality phenomenologically as “ways of relating to the sacred” (p. 17), including whatever one considers ultimate or most meaningful in life, recognizing this terrain as a potential context for both strength and turmoil.…”

Abriendo nuevas puertas: Relevancia clínica de integrar la religión y la espiritualidad en la disciplina de la psicología

“…Actualmente, existen diversas guías y publicaciones que discuten rigurosamente la integración ética de la R/E en el contexto clínico y psicoterapéutico (Captari et al, 2021;González-Rivera, 2015;Hathaway, 2011;Vieten et al, 2013). Es fundamental considerar los aspectos éticos de la integración de la R/E en la práctica psicológica, dado que esto forma parte de las prácticas psicológicas basadas en la evidencia (Bernal & Rodríguez-Soto, 2012).…”