Spiritual Competence in Psychotherapy

Spirituality is a resource for wellness and recovery. Recent research has established Spiritual Competence as a fundamental skill in therapeutic practice. Research published in mainstream peer-reviewed journals, including by this instructor, has established spirituality as a resource for wellness and recovery for many people when faced with challenges and loss. Studies have also shown the value of spiritually oriented interventions such as mindfulness practices and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Over the past 15 years, the benefits of these approaches have been demonstrated in research published in peer-reviewed journals. Besides, distinguishing psychopathology from potentially spiritually transformative crises requires a broader context of cultural sensitivity that has broadened awareness in the field of psychology of the need to provide more spiritually inclusive care across the spectrum of clients in order to provide a spiritually competent care. This course prepares therapists to provide spiritually competent care with greater compassion and skill.