Mayers, C.;
Leavey, G.;
Vallianatou, C.;
Barker, C.;
(2007)
How clients with religious or spiritual beliefs experience psychological help-seeking and therapy: a qualitative study.
Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy
, 14
(4)
pp. 317-327.
10.1002/cpp.542.
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Abstract
This qualitative study explores the process of help-seeking and therapy among clients with religious or spiritual beliefs. Ten clients who were currently in, or had recently finished, therapy were interviewed. Participants reported using their religious or spiritual beliefs to cope with their psychological problems before and during therapy. Prior to therapy, they worried that secular-based help might weaken their faith. However, the experience of having psychological distress and the process of receiving therapy were both perceived as strengthening to faith and ultimately part of a spiritual journey. Contrary to expectations, a match between the spirituality or religious affiliation of the therapist and client was not considered important. This implies that the ‘spirituality gap’ between secular therapists and clients with religious/spiritual beliefs is bridgeable.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | How clients with religious or spiritual beliefs experience psychological help-seeking and therapy: a qualitative study |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1002/cpp.542 |
| Publisher version: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cpp.542 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This paper is based on the first author's dissertation for the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at University College London. |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/3002 |
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