Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: Understanding and Addressing The Sacred

Abstract

SPIRITUALLY INTEGRATED PSYCHOTHERAPY UNDERSTANDING AND ADDRESSING THE SACRED. Kenneth Pargament, New York: Guilford, 2007. Pp. 384, Pb, $38.00. Kenneth Pargament begins this work by giving a brief rational for spiritually integrated psychotherapy. The rationale includes the importance of spirituality among many along with the desire to have this dimension included in the therapeutic relationship. Despite these preferences along with research linking healthy spirituality with greater health and a sense of well-being, however, many psychologists leave spirituality out of the conversation, whether due to feelings of uneasiness or lack of preparation from their schooling, which may cause them to be less than effective during treatment. This disconnect, Pargament argues, must be addressed. Part two begins by framing the spiritually integrated approach as one that can be used with a broad authence, including clients and therapists from "diverse religious and non-religious backgrounds" (p. 21). With this in mind Pargament defines spirituality as "the search for the sacred" (p. 32). This discussion is followed by a description of several sacred dimensions and qualities we, as humans, share (e.g., the search for significance, intimacy, etc.), ways individuals hold on to the sacred (e.g., prayer, ritual, relationships etc.), and how spiritual coping mechanisms may help in times of stress. While mainly outlining positive mechanisms Pargament clearly points out how spirituality can become misdirected for some people. This type of dis-integrated spirituality (e.g., lack of scope depth, inflexibility, misdirection etc.) can include the use of 'small gods' (gods limited in some way) and/or 'false gods' (idolatry), by clients, often with unpleasant end results. For those who make it through their spiritual struggles successfully, Pargament contends, a spiritual transformation (e.g., letting go, new purpose, centering of the sacred etc.) often takes place that leads to a well-integrated spirituality (e.g., openness to differences, willingness to engage in spiritual dialogue, sincere desire to share spiritual experiences). Part three, the largest section of the book, explores how to address the sacred as part of clinical practice. Pargament begins by clearly defining what spiritually integrated psychotherapy is: "an approach to treatment that acknowledges and addresses the spirituality of the client, the spirituality of the therapist, and the process of change" (p. 176); he also encourages timid practitioners not to be rejectionists of this aspect but rather gain knowledge, tolerance, and selfawareness which leads to greater authenticity regarding this topic. From here the author outlines various integration techniques, which can be used in a clinical context. Beginning with implicit assessment, (e.g., judicious self-disclosure, openness to discussions of spirituality etc.), the therapist desires to move the process to one where spirituality is expressed more explicitly (e. …