Religion in the Psychotherapeutic Space: the new taboo

TY - GEN

T1 - Religion in the Psychotherapeutic Space: the new taboo

AU - Hunt, Jane

PY - 2017/2/4

Y1 - 2017/2/4

N2 - In the light of Freud's perceived criticisms of religion, the relationship between religion and psychotherapy has been characterised by tension. Recent research in the US and Europe, for example, has shown that therapists and psychologists on the whole tend to be less religious or spiritual than their clients (Bergin 1990; Delaney et al. 2007). Nevertheless, research indicates that therapists – whether themselves religious or not – would like more input around religion and spirituality during their training, and often feel ill-equipped to work with religious clients (Hofman & Walach 2011 ). This workshop is an invitation to think about religion in the therapeutic space, and to discuss as practitioners how we view and work with religion with our clients. What experiences do we have of religious clients, or clients wanting to explore religious issues in the therapeutic relationship? How do we or should we work with such clients? Do we perceive religion as illusionary or fictional, and if so how does this come to impact upon the therapeutic relationship? At the beginning of this workshop there will be input with regard to current theory and research that explores the relationship between religion and therapy, followed by opportunity to discuss and explore these themes together.

AB - In the light of Freud's perceived criticisms of religion, the relationship between religion and psychotherapy has been characterised by tension. Recent research in the US and Europe, for example, has shown that therapists and psychologists on the whole tend to be less religious or spiritual than their clients (Bergin 1990; Delaney et al. 2007). Nevertheless, research indicates that therapists – whether themselves religious or not – would like more input around religion and spirituality during their training, and often feel ill-equipped to work with religious clients (Hofman & Walach 2011 ). This workshop is an invitation to think about religion in the therapeutic space, and to discuss as practitioners how we view and work with religion with our clients. What experiences do we have of religious clients, or clients wanting to explore religious issues in the therapeutic relationship? How do we or should we work with such clients? Do we perceive religion as illusionary or fictional, and if so how does this come to impact upon the therapeutic relationship? At the beginning of this workshop there will be input with regard to current theory and research that explores the relationship between religion and therapy, followed by opportunity to discuss and explore these themes together.

M3 - Conference contribution

BT - Religion in the Psychotherapeutic Space: the new taboo

T2 - United Kingdom Association for Psychotherapy Integration Conference (UKPI)

Y2 - 4 February 2017 through 4 February 2017

ER -