Integrating Spiritual Direction Functions in the Practice of Psychotherapy

Bibliographic Data

ID20331654
AuthorsLen Sperry (0009-0007-2399-9186, Medical College of Wisconsin and Barry University, corresponding author)
Year2003
Volume31
Issue1
Pages3-13
Publication date2003-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Psychology and Theology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-6471 • E-ISSN: 2328-1162
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/009164710303100101
OpenAlexW140116952
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited9

Recent research and clinical experience suggest that clients are increasingly expecting that psychotherapists will deal with their spiritual concerns that are traditionally addressed in spiritual direction. This expectation has already begun to impact the practice of psychotherapy by increasing interest in the “spiritually-oriented-psychotherapies.” This article proposes that psychotherapy can become more receptive and effective in dealing with spiritual concerns by appropriately incorporating some or many of the functions of spiritual direction. The practice of spiritual direction is first described and compared to pastoral counseling and spiritually-oriented psychotherapy. Then eight functions of spiritual direction are presented and compared to similar “functions” in psychotherapy. Finally, specific recommendations for incorporating these functions into the practice of psychotherapy are discussed

Alternative medicine · Psychotherapist · Spiritual practice · Spirituality · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Medicine · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Theological Perspectives and Practices

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