Integrating Spiritual Direction Functions in the Practice of Psychotherapy

Abstract

Recent research and clinical experience suggest that clients are increasingly expecting that psychotherapists will deal with their spiritual concerns that are traditionally addressed in spiritual direction. This expectation has already begun to impact the practice of psychotherapy by increasing interest in the “spiritually-oriented-psychotherapies.” This article proposes that psychotherapy can become more receptive and effective in dealing with spiritual concerns by appropriately incorporating some or many of the functions of spiritual direction. The practice of spiritual direction is first described and compared to pastoral counseling and spiritually-oriented psychotherapy. Then eight functions of spiritual direction are presented and compared to similar “functions” in psychotherapy. Finally, specific recommendations for incorporating these functions into the practice of psychotherapy are discussed.

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