"I encourage those seeking a mental health provider for themselves or a loved one to choose a therapist who is a spiritually affirming psychotherapist. By a spiritually affirming therapist, I mean a mental health provider who affirms and respects the healing resources of your spiritual beliefs, practices, and community. If you are a religious or spiritual person, you have the right to receive such treatment."
"At 33, after 14 years of marriage, Katherine faced a painful divorce due to her husband's infidelity. The situation was compounded by his quick remarriage and continued attendance at her church. Seeing her ex-husband and his new wife in the congregation stirred up intense emotions. Members of their religious community often chose neutrality rather than taking sides, leaving Katherine feeling betrayed, isolated, and unsupported-feeling that she had lost much of her social network."
"Despite significant strides in addressing human diversity-including race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation-the mental health professions have neglected religious and spiritual diversity. Most practitioners receive little or no education in religion or spirituality. This lack of training can create serious problems for religiously and spiritually devout clients. Consider Katherine's experience, which I have been granted permission to share."
Religiously and spiritually devout clients have a right to spiritually affirming mental health treatment that respects their beliefs, practices, and community. Mental health training often omits education about religion and spirituality, producing gaps in cultural competence for faith-centered clients. These gaps can cause harm, isolation, and unmet needs when life crises intersect with religious communities. Personal experiences, such as divorce compounded by ongoing contact within a shared faith community, illustrate how lack of spiritual affirmation in therapy and community neutrality can intensify emotional distress and social loss.
Read at Psychology Today
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