1. ASSESSMENT STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS IDENTIFICATION SKILLS & TECHNIQUES Helpful and Harmful Religious Beliefs in Therapy

2. Formal Definitions Religiosity- allegiance to the beliefs and practices of institutional, organized religion Spirituality- indicates beliefs, experiences, and practices involving the individual's relationship with a higher being or the universe

3. Addressing Religion in Initial Assessment Identify religious/spiritual beliefs and practices. Make assessment of the impact they may have on therapy. Obtain client’s consent before proceeding with spiritual assessment A rationale is necessary for each question asked about religion/spirituality  Fosters engagement and therapeutic alliance Questions about religion and it’s role in various life stages

4. Strengths Limitations Physical and Mental Health Increased Marital Satisfaction Social support Financial assistance Parenting advice Sense of belonging Structure Basic necessities Pastoral & Marriage Counseling Peer activities Employment possibilities Conflict with adhering to religious doctrine  Premarital sex, masturbation, abortion, birth control, female submission, gender roles, etc. Acceptance into religious community Relationship difficulties Treatment and medication compliance Strengths & Limitations of Religion/Spirituality

5. Positive Implications of Religion Utilization of religious and spiritual coping mechanisms that have helped the client in the past  Prayer, rituals, forgiveness, confession, etc  Physical and Psychological Benefits  “When interventions make sense to clients because they match their theory of change and beliefs about the causes of their problems, clients can easily anticipate that interventions will help them.” (Rosenfeld, 2010)

6. Identifying Possible Harmful Beliefs Physical and Sexual Abuse  Abuse was sanctioned by religion, punishment for their sins, or experience was not really abuse  “Belief that “crush-and-then-love” discipline is religiously sanctioned and will inevitably increase attachment and obedience, and rid child of sinful inclinations” (Rosenfeld, 2010) Rejection of Medical and/or Psychological Treatments  Physical ailments and emotional disturbances are indicative of moral weakness

7. Identifying Possible Harmful Beliefs Cont’d Beliefs that Contribute to Emotional Distress  Contribute to client’s presenting problem and impede progress towards treatment goals  Patriarchal and Sex Role Beliefs  Too many or too difficult of Moral Standards Beliefs that have a negative effect on client’s health, psychological well-being, character, or adjustment to life

8. Determining When/If to Address Harmful Beliefs American Psychological Association (2008) recently adopted “The right of persons to practice their religion or faith does not and cannot entail a right to harm others or to undermine the public good” Harmful Beliefs are used to:  Avoid making important life decisions or attitudinal shifts  Foster/encourage abuse Assessment of client’s ability to cope with stress  Motivation to change  Social support

9. Techniques Respectful and neutral stance at first Make client aware of harmful religious belief Shift client’s attention to the healing belief systems within their religious beliefs Exploration of the content and consequences of religious beliefs with client Clinicians should avoid challenging harmful religious beliefs unless it causes abuse

10. Techniques-Cont’d REBT  Irrational beliefs  Demanding, Awfulizing, Absolute thinking: “must,” “absolutely should,” “ought,” “need” etc  Sensitively and respectfully  Disputation techniques Mindfulness

11. References American Psychological Association. (2008). Resolution on religious, religion-based, and/or religion-derived prejudice. American Psychologist, 63, 4 Johnson (2006). The congruence of the philosophy of rational emotive behavior therapy within the philosophy of mainstream Christianity. Journal of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapies, 6, 45-55. Koenig, H. G. (2008). Religion and mental health: What should psychiatrists do? Psychiatric Bulletin, 32, 201-203. Rose, E. M., Westefeld, J. S., & Ansely, T. N. (2001). Spiritual issues in counseling: Clients’ beliefs and preferences. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 48, 2001. Rosenfeld, G. W. (2010). Identifying and integrating helping and harmful religious beliefs into psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 4, 512-526.

12. References-Cont’d Russel, S. R. & Yarhouse, M. A. (2006). Training in religion/spirituality within APA-accredited psychology predoctoral internships. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 4, 430-436.