Spiritual Values and Methods in Counseling and Psychotherapy

Spiritual Values and Methods in Counseling and Psychotherapy CPSE 656 Brigham Young University Winter Semester, 2009 343 MCKB 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Monday

Instructor: P. Scott Richards, 340M MCKB, ext 2-4868; [email protected] Office Hours: Monday 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Course Description: This graduate course invites you to understand and become a part of the growing international, interdisciplinary, and ecumenical effort to integrate religious and spiritual perspectives into the mainstream behavioral sciences. The course will help you explore historical, philosophical, theoretical, and empirical issues regarding the integration of spiritual perspectives in psychology, counseling, and psychotherapy. It will also help you reflect on and learn how you can effectively integrate religious and spiritual perspectives and interventions into your professional work with clients from diverse religious traditions.

Required Books (both books are available electronically on the BYU library website)

Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (2005). A Spiritual Strategy in Counseling and Psychotherapy (2 nd ed). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. (Abbreviated in class schedule as R&B)

Richards, P. S, & Bergin, A. E. (Eds.), (2000). Handbook of Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity. American Psychological Association: Washington, D. C.

Knowledge and Skill Objectives

The objectives of the course are to help you gain a greater understanding of (1) historical and current perspectives regarding the relationship between the behavioral sciences and religion; (2) philosophical and theoretical foundations of a theistic spiritual perspective in psychology and psychotherapy; (3) ethical issues associated with the use of religious and spiritual interventions in counseling and psychotherapy; (4) how to effectively use religious and spiritual interventions in counseling and psychotherapy; (5) issues associated with using spiritual interventions with clients from diverse religious traditions and perspectives; (6) spiritual perspectives regarding scientific discovery and the research process; and (7) research paradigms and methods suitable for studying religion and spirituality in the behavioral sciences. The course will be highly participatory and experiential in nature. It will use a variety of activities and learning experiences, including (1) discussions about religion, spirituality and the behavioral sciences; (2) research and class presentations about world religions in order to increase your sensitivity to religious diversity; (3) conversations and presentations about how to integrate spiritual perspectives and interventions into your work; (4) video/DVD clips from the APA psychotherapy series on spirituality in treatment; and (5) consultation about your cases to help you better understand how to effectively incorporate spiritual perspectives and interventions into professional practice.

Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which could affect their performance in this class, are encouraged to notify us so that appropriate accommodations can be made. SCHEDULE DATE TENTATIVE LECTURE/DISCUSSION TOPICS READINGS DUE

INTRODUCTION TO THEISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

1/5 Syllabus & class requirements; Introduction to course; Supp. Readings 1 - 3 Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity

HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF THEISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY

1/12 Historical perspectives R&B 1 & 2

1/19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (No class)

1/26 The new spiritual zeitgeist; A theistic, spiritual world view R&B 3 & 4 Case Consultation

2/2 A theistic view of personality theory and mental health R&B 5 Case Consultation

2/9 A theistic view of personality theory and mental health Case Consultation

THEISTIC PSYCHOTHERAPY: PROCESS AND METHODS

2/16 President’s Day (No class)

2/17 (Tues) A theistic view of psychotherapy R&B 6 Case Consultation

2/23 A theistic view of psychotherapy Case Consultation

3/2 Ethical, value, and process issues R&B 7 Case Consultation; Religious Diversity Presentation

3/9 Ethical, value, and process issues Case Consultation; Religious Diversity Presentation

3/16 Religious assessment issues and methods R&B 8 Case Presentation; Religious Diversity Presentation

3/23 Spiritual Practices as Therapeutic Interventions R&B 9 Case Consultation; Religious Diversity Presentation

3/30 Spiritual Interventions used by Theistic Therapists R&B 10 Case Consultation; Religious Diversity Presentation

4/6 Spiritual Interventions used by Theistic Therapists, Case Consultation; Religious Diversity Presentation

4/13 A Theistic View of Science; Future Directions R&B 11 & 12

CLASS LEARNING ACTIVITIES/REQUIREMENTS Reading the Textbook

To increase your knowledge of theory and research about religious and spiritual issues in counseling and psychotherapy, you are required to read A Spiritual Strategy in Counseling and Psychotherapy (R&B). Please come to class prepared to share your thoughts and reactions to the textbook readings.

Religious Diversity Group Presentation

You are required to cooperate with one or two of your classmates in preparing and making a presentation in class in which your group describes some of the basic religious beliefs and practices of a specific religious denomination or culture (e.g., Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam). You will be asked to sign up for a chapter in the Handbook of Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity that you will use as the foundation for your presentation (It is also an option to pick another religion that is not found in the Handbook). You should also do a literature search to see what other sources are available to inform your research about the religion you have chosen. You are required to interview one or more members of that religious tradition to learn more about that tradition’s beliefs and practices, as well as their attitudes toward the mental health professions. I would also strongly encourage you to attend a religious service of that tradition in an effort to have a first hand experience with that religious culture. You will have approximately 40-50 minutes of class time to make your presentation. Further suggestions and guidelines concerning the content of the presentation will be shared in class.

Quizzes

There will be 12 brief quizzes based primarily on the readings from A Spiritual Strategy in Counseling and Psychotherapy (R&B). Each quiz will consist of approximately 10 multiple choice and true-false questions. The quizzes will be administered at the start of class. You will be given about 15 minutes to complete the quizzes. We will grade them in class as soon as you complete them.

Attendance

There are only 14 class meetings during the semester. Attendance at our classes is strongly encouraged due to the fact absenteeism would seriously detract from the quality of our group learning experience. You will receive 10 points for each class you attend.

Supplemental Readings

To give you more of a historical perspective and to increase your knowledge of theory and research, you are invited to read selected articles and book chapters about spiritual issues in counseling and psychotherapy and psychological science. Each reading you complete is worth 5 points. You will not be tested on the supplemental readings. You are required to read a minimum of 15 supplemental readings. If you read more than 15 of the supplemental readings, you will receive 5 extra credit points for each additional one that you read. In order to receive credit for the readings you complete, please keep a reading log and document when you complete each reading.

Grading

Religious Diversity Group Presentation: 100 points Class Attendance: 140 points Quizzes: 120 points Supplemental Readings: 75 points (plus a potential 45 extra credit points) Supplemental Reading List for CP 656

Date Due Article

1/12 Maxwell, N. A. (1976). Some thoughts on the gospel and the behavioral sciences. Ensign, July, 70-75.

Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (2000). Toward religious and spiritual competency for mental health professionals. In P. S. Richards & A. E. Bergin (Eds.), Handbook of Psychotherapy and Religious Diversity. American Psychological Association: Washington, D. C.

Smith, T. B., & Richards, P. S. (2005). The integration of spiritual and religious issues in racial- cultural psychology and counseling. In R. T. Carter (Ed.): Handbook of racial-cultural psychology and counseling: Theory and research (vol. 1). pp. 132-160. New York: Wiley.

1/19 Bergin, A.E. (1980). Psychotherapy and religious values. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 95-105.

Ellis, A. (1980). Psychotherapy and atheistic values: A response to A.E. Bergin's "Psychotherapy and religious values." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 635- 639.

Walls, G.B. (1980). Values and Psychotherapy: A comment and "Psychotherapy and religious values." Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 640-641.

Bergin, A.E. (1980). Religious and humanistic values: A reply to Ellis and Walls. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 48, 642-645.

1/26 Jones, S. L. (1994) A constructive relationship for religion with the science and profession of psychology. American Psychologist, 49, 184-199.

2/2 Understanding religion’s effects on mental health (pp. 214 – 230). In H. G. Koenig, M.E. McCullough, & D. B. Larson (Eds.). (2001). Handbook of Religion and Health. New York: Oxford University Press.

2/9 Emmons, R. A., & Paloutzian, R. F. (2003). The psychology of religion. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 377-402.

2/17 Bergin, A.E. (1988). Three contributions of a spiritual perspective to counseling, psychotherapy, and behavior change. Counseling and Values, 33, 21-31.

2/23 Richards, P. S. & Potts, R. W. (1995). Using spiritual interventions in psychotherapy: Practices, successes, failures, and ethical concerns of Mormon psychotherapists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 26 (2), 163-170.

3/2 Bergin, A.E. (1985). Proposed values for guiding and evaluating counseling and psychotherapy. Counseling and Values, 29, 99-116.

Richards, P. S. & Rector, J. R., & Tjeltveit, A. C. (1999). Values, spirituality, and psychotherapy. In William R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating spirituality in treatment: Resources for practitioners. American Psychological Association: Washington, D. C. 3/16 Gorsuch, R. L., & Miller, W. R. (1999). Assessing spirituality (pp. 47-64). In W. R. Miller (Ed.), Integrating Spirituality into Treatment: Resources for Practitioners. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

3/30 O’Grady, K. A., & Richards, P. S. (2009). Case study showing inclusion of spirituality in the therapeutic process. In J.D. Aten & M.M. Leach (Eds.). Spirituality and the therapeutic process: A comprehensive resource from intake to termination (pp. 241-265). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Richards, P. S., & O’Grady, K. A. (2007). Theistic counselling and psychotherapy: Conceptual framework and application to counselling practice. Counselling and Spirituality, 26, 79-102.

Richards, P. S., Smith, M. H., Berrett, M. E., O’Grady, K. A., & Bartz, J. D. (in press). A theistic spiritual treatment approach for women with eating disorders. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session.

4/13 Slife, B. D., Hope, C., & Nebeker, R. S. (1999). Examining the relationship between religious spirituality and psychological science. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 39, 51-85.

Smith, T. B., Bartz, J. D., & Richards, P. S. (2007). Outcomes of Religious and Spiritual Adaptations to Psychotherapy: A Meta-Analytic Review. Psychotherapy Research, 17, 643-655.

Richards, P. S., Smith, T. B., Schowalter, M., Richard, M., Berrett, M. E., & Hardman, R. K. (2005). Development and validation of the Theistic Spiritual Outcome Survey. Psychotherapy Research, 15, 457-469.