Religion and Spirituality in Psychotherapy: Clients’ Perspectives Essay (Article)

Concerning the Main Question: Main Point and Hypotheses

Because of the patients’ demand to discuss religious issues and the results of the above-mentioned discussions, the reasonability of the theory that involves the issues touching upon on religion and spirituality has been questioned, as Knox et al. (2005) explain. The main argument that the authors convey concerns the necessity to follow the demands of the patients concerning the religion-related conversations and the impact that the aforementioned topics have on the patients. According to what the authors of the research suppose, the balance between openness to any of the topics possible and the development of controversial religious issues has to be achieved (Knox et al. 2005).

Developing the Issue: The Legitimacy of the Argumentation

Speaking of the way the researchers structured their argument and the analysis that has been conducted, one can claim with certainty that the research has been conducted in the most reasonable manner. Speaking of the methods practiced in the research, one has to admit that the qualitative methodology used by the authors is fully justified by the aim and the field of the research. Since the chosen method “allowed us to explore our participants’ experiences without restricting their responses,” (286) as Knox et al. (2005) explained, it can be considered that the research has been conducted in the most exhaustive manner and can be considered as coercive and thorough.

Observing the Major Finds: The Basic Conclusions

It is essential to emphasize that the conclusions following the analysis of the existing evidence confirms the hypothesis that was stated by the authors of the article in the introductory part. Making it obvious that various aspects of religion are not the subjects to be voided in the course of the therapy, yet it is important to keep the conversation within the frames of neutral topics.

In addition, it can be problematic for the therapist to discuss the offered topic. As Knox et al. (2005) marked, “If therapists are struggling with their own spirituality, for example, their ability to help clients with such struggles may be impaired” (300). However, it still seems that the results of the research can be considered as questionable. Since the key limitation of the research concerned that it was impossible to consider each and every case of religious issues in therapy process, the individual reactions of the people involved have not been observed in their full range.

The Importance of the Results: On the Consistency

Speaking of the contingency of the results obtained in the course of the research, one must mark that the key findings are completely justified and can be considered as consistent. However, it is still essential to notice that the results of the research conducted by Know et al. (2005) bois down to the summary of the emerging situations, which offers rather superficial overview of the problem. It seems that the recorded evidence would have been a better material to operate with.

Obviously, the researchers also need to know more about the motivation of the patients who are willing to meditate on religious and spiritual issues (Kahle & Robbins, 2004). Hence, the investigation of the roots of the patients’ need to touch upon the given issues has to be carried out. Speaking of the application of the obtained information in the practical counseling, one should emphasize that the given research offers sufficient help in developing the tactics of discussing the religious and spiritual issues with the patients when the latter insist on it.

Reference List

Kahle, P. A., & Robbins, J. M. (2004). The power of spirituality in therapy: Integrating religious and spiritual beliefs in mental health practice. New York, NY: Routledge.

Knox, S., Catlin, L., Casper, M., & Schlosser, L. Z. (2005). Addressing religion and spirituality in psychotherapy: Clients‘ perspectives. Psychotherapy Research, 15(3), 278-303.