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Clinical Wisdom in Evidence Based Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy: What Is It?

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Abstract

Using a hermeneutical method this article reviews the complex nature of clinical wisdom in the context of multi-faith evidence based spiritual care and psychotherapy. A literature review revealed seven key descriptors: 1) Clinical wisdom is rooted in virtues and the character of practitioners. 2) Clinical wisdom emerges in relationship. 3) Clinical wisdom requires a fluid balancing of paradoxes. 4) Clinical wisdom is integrative, holistic, and transcendent. 5) Clinical wisdom is practical. 6) Clinical wisdom is situational and involves a sense of right timing. 7) Clinical wisdom is continually cultivated. Questions are raised about how to cultivate clinical wisdom and for future research.

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Notes

  1. This is a composite case.

  2. Supervised pastoral education is a generic name for clinical pastoral education (CPE) and pastoral counselling education (PCE) units. It is similar to PCE and CPE in the United States, and the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care has a reciprocity agreement with American organizations.

  3. We are using the Jerusalem Bible translation with illuminations by Jackson (2007).

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Funding

The first two authors received a grant for this research from the Society for Pastoral Counselling Research, which was located at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, Ontario.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Wilmot Family Resource Centre, 175 Waterloo St Unit 1, New Hamburg, ON, N3A 1S3, Canada

    Erin Snider

  2. Qualia Medical Centre at The Boardwalk, 435 The Boardwalk, Suite 406, Waterloo, ON, N2T 0C1, Canada

    Ala’ Al-Thibeh

  3. Martin Luther University at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Thomas St. James O’Connor

  4. Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Jane Kuepfer

  5. Mackenzie Health - Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, 3200 Major Mackenzie Drive W, Vaughan, ON, L6A 4Z3, Canada

    Bavly Kost

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  1. Erin Snider
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  2. Ala’ Al-Thibeh
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Correspondence to Erin Snider or Ala’ Al-Thibeh.

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RP is Registered Psychotherapist in the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO)

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Snider, E., Al-Thibeh, A., O’Connor, T.S.J. et al. Clinical Wisdom in Evidence Based Spiritual Care and Psychotherapy: What Is It?. Pastoral Psychol 71, 639–651 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11089-022-01018-y

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