Spirituality & Therapy

Sometimes therapists and potential clients may not know how to include spirituality or religion in the practice of therapy, or even know if it’s possible! It’s not only possible, therapy and spirituality are synergistic and work together towards healing in therapy. In fact, research suggests inclusion of an individual's spiritual beliefs may assist in therapy and in the process of healing.

Spirituality and mental health are interwoven and connected. Spiritual wellness assists with mental health and vice versa. Spiritual Wellness can be described many ways, but it generally involves a connection with something greater than themselves. Whether this is a higher power, a sense of meaning and purpose, or values or belief systems.

Mental, Emotional, Physical, and Spiritual Health are all connected. If there is an issue with one kind of health, it has the potential to affect other kinds of health.

Some people may be deeply committed to their faith and base much of their lives around spirituality or religion. Prayer, religious meditation, church attendance or volunteer work may form part of a person’s self-care which is vital to mental health.

My philosophy is that when a person who is religious or spiritual seeks treatment, sensitivity to a client’s spirituality helps treatment because it can allow the therapist to explore a wider variety of treatment solutions.

I believe psychotherapy clients get better care when their spirituality is included in therapy. I find my work more meaningful and nourishing when I’m paying attention to the spiritual dimension.