The topics of spirituality and religion are typically not included in training of mental health professionals. However, spiritual and religious beliefs and practices and questions concerning spirituality and existential issues are important aspects of psychological well-being across the globe. We believe that increased access to training concerning spiritual, religious, and existential issues will benefit people seeking mental health services or people who are interested in better understanding the connection between spirituality and mental health.We will be reviewing empirical research concerning spirituality and religion and mental health, presenting the relational spirituality framework for engaging in these issues in psychotherapy, and integrate spirituality and religion with culturally informed psychotherapy.Although once marginalized, spirituality and religion (S/R) have now become established areas of ethical and clinical consideration in practice. All mental health fields recognize that S/R are important dimensions of human diversity that can impact clients’ health and well-being, yet many clinicians and supervisors are uncertain how to effectively engage these dynamics in psychotherapy. This workshop will use lecture, group discussion, and case applications to offer a relational approach to S/R dynamics in clinical practice with sensitivity to intersectional diversity and social justice considerations. We will apply recent research on S/R competence, cultural humility, and S/R microaggressions among practitioners and supervisors to a clinical case vignette. Key clinical strategies within a relational spirituality model (RSM; Sandage et al., 2020) of psychotherapy will also be utilized to highlight S/R and other diversity considerations in the treatment process. These strategies build upon the therapeutic alliance and include assessing S/R dynamics interacting with (a) three relational development systems (attachment, differentiation, intersubjectivity) and (b) client worldviews with respect to suffering, trauma, well-being, and treatment preferences. We will also consider resources to further professional growth in this area of diversity competence/humility.In this workshop, we will integrate spirituality and religion as key elements of culturally informed systemic formulation and psychotherapy. Specifically, we will explore the therapist’s own spiritual and religious background and experiences, including assumptions and biases, as they intersect with those of the client. Additionally, it is important to consider the unique ways in which religion and spirituality is experienced within cultural groups and across generations within a family or community. As such, we will explore the transformation of spirituality and religious beliefs and practices in the context of migration, trauma, and acculturation.

Hosted by Therapy Training Boston online for 5 CEs. For more info, visit the event webpage.