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The Use of Religion and Spirituality in Psychotherapy: Enablers and Barriers

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Abstract

The use of religion and spirituality in psychotherapy has been a contentious issue for decades. This paper explores and describes whether psychologists would use religion and spirituality in psychotherapy as well as enablers and barriers in this regard. A qualitative exploratory descriptive method was followed using purposive sampling to obtain a sample of clinical and counselling psychologists. The focus group strategy was used to collect the data, and Tesch’s model of content analysis was used to analyse the qualitative findings. Most participants expressed a willingness to discuss religion and spirituality with their clients. Participants also highlighted specific enablers and barriers to incorporating religion and spirituality in psychotherapy. This article has the potential to influence professional training in psychology and psychotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P O Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Ottilia Brown & Diane Elkonin

  2. Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

    Samantha Naicker

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  1. Ottilia Brown
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  2. Diane Elkonin
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  3. Samantha Naicker
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Correspondence to Ottilia Brown.

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Brown, O., Elkonin, D. & Naicker, S. The Use of Religion and Spirituality in Psychotherapy: Enablers and Barriers. J Relig Health 52, 1131–1146 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-011-9551-z

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