שערים לרוח בפסיכותרפיה וייעוץ

This address presents an empirical rationale for why spiritually integrated psychotherapy makes good sense. To place this presentation in a historical context, we begin by reviewing the long-standing tension and antipathy of the mental health field to religion and spirituality. After briefly considering the meaning of the terms “spirituality” and “religion,” we draw on research findings and examples from clinical practice to highlight several reasons for a spiritually integrated approach to psychotherapy and counseling: (1) many people see their lives through a sacred lens; (2) spirituality can be a vital resource; (3) spirituality can also be a source of problems; (4) many people prefer spiritually integrated mental health care; (5) spirituality cannot be totally removed from psychotherapy, and; (6) attention to spirituality may add to the effectiveness of treatment.