Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy

by Walsh, Froma

• ISBN13: 9781572309197
• ISBN10: 1572309199
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-05-22
• Publisher: The Guilford Press

Summary

Spirituality has long been regarded as "off-limits" in clinical practice, leaving family therapists and counselors uncertain as to how to approach it. Yet the majority of families regard religion as important in their lives, and research has begun to document the psychological and health benefits of faith and congregational support. Further, many who seek help for physical, emotional, or interpersonal problems are also in spiritual distress. Filling a crucial void, this volume explores the influences of faith beliefs and practices on suffering, healing, and health. Leading family therapists describe how attending to this vital dimension of human experience can inform and enrich therapy, illuminate spiritual sources of distress, and help clients tap into wellsprings for resilience and growth.

Table of Contents

Overview
Religion and Spirituality: Wellsprings for Healing and Resilience	p. 3
Opening Family Therapy to Spirituality	p. 28
Spiritual Resources in Families: Tapping into the Wellsprings
Spirituality, Suffering, and Beliefs: The Soul of Healing with Families	p. 61
The Stresses of Poverty and the Comfort of Spirituality	p. 76
Spirituality and Religion: Implications for Psychotherapy with African American Clients and Families	p. 90
Religion and Spiritual Folk Traditions in Immigrant Families: Therapeutic Resources with Latinos	p. 104
Three Spiritual Perspectives on Resilience: Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism	p. 121
"Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother": Intergenerational Spirituality and Jewish Tradition	p. 136
Feet Planted Firmly in Midair: A Spirituality for Family Living	p. 157
Spirituality and Family Therapy: Bridging the Divide
Morality and Spirituality in Therapy	p. 179
Healing from Trauma: The Quest for Spirituality	p. 193
Opening Therapy to Conversations with a Personal God	p. 209
Releasing the Soul: Psychotherapy as a Spiritual Practice	p. 223
Stretching to Meet What's Given: Opportunities for a Spiritual Practice	p. 240
Heart and Soul: Spirituality, Religion, and Rituals in Family Therapy Training	p. 256
Spirituality Expressed in Community Action and Social Justice: A Therapeutic Means to Liberation and Hope	p. 272
Index	p. 293
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.