Spiritually Oriented Interventions for Counseling and Psychotherapy

by Aten, Jamie D.; McMinn, Mark R.; Worthington, Jr., Everett L.

• ISBN13: 9781433809460
• ISBN10: 143380946X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-03-15
• Publisher: American Psychological Association

Summary

Spirituality and religion influence the way many clients interpret their life experiences. Recognizing this reality, Spiritually Oriented Interventions for Counseling and Psychotherapy offers mental health professionals an in-depth look at how to integrate both Western and Eastern spiritually oriented interventions into clinical practice. Through a series of carefully selected interventions, the book examines in detail how each can be utilized in an ethically and culturally sensitive manner with a diverse spectrum of clients who wish to address sacred themes in therapy. Each chapter presents practical strategies and clinical examples of how to successfully implement spiritually oriented interventions into treatment. Relevant theories and research findings are also included. This book will be a valuable tool for equipping mental health professionals to work with spiritually and religiously diverse clients.

Author Biography

Jamie D. Aten, PhD, is the Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College.
 
He has published numerous journal articles on religious and spiritual issues in counseling and psychotherapy. He is the coeditor of two books, including Spirituality and the Therapeutic Process: A Comprehensive Resource From Intake through Termination, and has two coedited books forthcoming. He has also received over $1.3 million in external funding over the past 5 years, including federal, state, and foundation sources, to study and help faith communities improve their ability to prepare for and respond to disasters.
 
He also serves as the Newsletter Editor for APA Division 36 (Psychology of Religion).
 
Dr. Aten was recently awarded the APA Division 36 (Psychology of Religion) Margaret Gorman Early Career Award.
 
Mark R. McMinn, PhD, is a professor of psychology at George Fox University. He is a diplomate in clinical psychology of the American Board of Professional Psychology, a former president of APA's Division 36 (Psychology of Religion), and a fellow of Division 36.
 
Dr. McMinn is the author, coauthor, or coeditor of 13 books and is featured in an APA psychotherapy DVD on Christian counseling. He has authored or coauthored more than 140 chapters, journal articles, or magazine articles, many of them pertaining to the psychology of religion and faith-based interventions.
 
Everett L. Worthington Jr., PhD, is a professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia's largest state university. He is currently President of APA's Division 36 (Psychology of Religion).
 
Dr. Worthington has studied the psychology of religion and spirituality (within a variety of religious traditions), forgiveness, and marriage within basic and applied research and published numerous books, articles, and chapters.
 
His interventions include both Christian and secular versions of the hope-focused approach (marriage enrichment and therapy) and forgiveness (Forgiveness and Reconciliation through Experiencing Empathy [FREE] program; REACH forgiveness program). As former executive director of A Campaign for Forgiveness Research, he was involved in promoting research into forgiveness of others.
 

Table of Contents

Contributors	p. ix
Spiritually Oriented Interventions: Introducing the Issues	p. 3
Foundations and Context	p. 13
Meaning Making and Spiritually Oriented Interventions	p. 15
Value Clarification	p. 41
Ethical Guidelines for Using Spiritually Oriented Interventions	p. 65
Addressing Problematic Spirituality in Therapy	p. 83
Seeking the Sacred: The Assessment of Spirituality in the Therapy Process	p. 107
Clinical Techniques and Applications	p. 137
Prayer	p. 139
Promoting Forgiveness as a Religious or Spiritual Intervention	p. 169
Spirituality and Meditation	p. 197
Mindfulness	p. 229
Prescribing Yoga to Supplement and Support Psychotherapy	p. 251
Integrating Sacred Writings in Therapy	p. 277
Spiritual Journaling	p. 303
Training Issues and Future Directions	p. 323
An Experiential Approach for Exploring Spirituality	p. 325
Spiritually Oriented Interventions: Future Directions in Training and Research	p. 345
Index	p. 353
About the Editors	p. 367
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