Implications of Religion and Spirituality in Mental Health Treatment (2)

Three core hours will provide the mental health clinician with a comprehensive introductory overview of implications of religion and spirituality in mental health practice. Participants will learn the skills needed to assist clients with spiritual issues that may arise in therapy. This training will provide extensive resources for assessing and working with the client’s spiritual issues and values; and include the opportunity for reflection on the values, spiritual beliefs and practices of clinicians. Skills for assessing spiritual issues and values, and how a client’s identified religious affiliation (from childhood or current practice) can help or hinder success in therapy will receive special attention.

Participants who attend this training will:

1)  Learn the difference between religion and spirituality and how to address both in the therapeutic relationship

2)  Learn the importance of validating a clients' belief system in building trust and open communication

3)  Understand how the religious belief system of a clients' family of origin can inform and influence mental health 

      throughout the life cycle

4) Learn three ways to intervene when a clients' early religious beliefs hinder mental health growth and healing