Journal Article Summary and Critique
Though the focus of the article is on the role of spirituality in current psychology training programs, the article first addresses the issues surrounding the definition of spirituality. Spirituality can be defined in many ways. For example, Sue and Sue (2016) defines spirituality as “The life force that resides within individuals which makes them inherently worthy, and connects them to other living creatures” (p. 759). Others define spirituality as an individual’s specific chosen religion. However, Hage (2006) defines spirituality as generally referring to “meaning and purpose in one’s life, a search for wholeness, and a relationship with a transcendent being” (p. 303). For this paper, spirituality will …show more content…
The sub disciplines discussed are Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Rehabilitation Psychology. During the discussion of Clinical Psychology, the article states that clinical psychologist tend to value spirituality but not endorse religious importance. Therefore, clinical psychologist tends to prefer spirituality approaches that do not adhere or belong to a specific organized religion or belief. Due to this approach, clinical psychology programs that include any form of spirituality or religion are rare. In contrast, Counseling Psychology is stated to recognize the importance of spirituality and religion in culture and identity. However, training in this area is still not being included in most Counseling Psychology training programs. This lack of inclusion is accredited to spirituality and religion not being considered as important as other diversities or the possibility that emerging theorist that support this inclusion have not reach counseling programs. Similarly, to both the Clinical and Counseling Psychology fields, clinicians in the Marriage and Family Therapy do not receive training in spirituality and religion, value spirituality, and support the concept of including spiritual and religious training into their programs. However, …show more content…
The author of the article provides sufficient evidence to support his claim that there is a current lack of effective training, as well as, a need for the inclusion of spiritual and religious training.
Furthermore, information provided regarding the uniqueness of this training as it pertains to the psychology sub disciplines is very helpful in providing the insight needed to understanding the complexities involved in the implementation of spiritual and religious training and what is currently keeping it from being included in each sub discipline. The suggestions included in the final sections regarding the impact the exclusion of spiritual and religious training is having on clients and how training programs can begin to implement this much-needed training are very helpful as well.
Since spirituality and religion do effect an individual’s mental health, it is this authors believe that the inclusion of this type of training would be a benefit to both the counselor, as well as the counselee. The fact that most current clinicians support the idea of this importance, but not the inclusion of spiritual and religious training is worrisome and even neglectful on the part of current clinicians not including this
Though the focus of the article is on the role of spirituality in current psychology training programs, the article first addresses the issues surrounding the definition of spirituality. Spirituality can be defined in many ways. For example, Sue and Sue (2016) defines spirituality as “The life force that resides within individuals which makes them inherently worthy, and connects them to other living creatures” (p. 759). Others define spirituality as an individual’s specific chosen religion. However, Hage (2006) defines spirituality as generally referring to “meaning and purpose in one’s life, a search for wholeness, and a relationship with a transcendent being” (p. 303). For this paper, spirituality will …show more content…
The sub disciplines discussed are Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Rehabilitation Psychology. During the discussion of Clinical Psychology, the article states that clinical psychologist tend to value spirituality but not endorse religious importance. Therefore, clinical psychologist tends to prefer spirituality approaches that do not adhere or belong to a specific organized religion or belief. Due to this approach, clinical psychology programs that include any form of spirituality or religion are rare. In contrast, Counseling Psychology is stated to recognize the importance of spirituality and religion in culture and identity. However, training in this area is still not being included in most Counseling Psychology training programs. This lack of inclusion is accredited to spirituality and religion not being considered as important as other diversities or the possibility that emerging theorist that support this inclusion have not reach counseling programs. Similarly, to both the Clinical and Counseling Psychology fields, clinicians in the Marriage and Family Therapy do not receive training in spirituality and religion, value spirituality, and support the concept of including spiritual and religious training into their programs. However, …show more content…
The author of the article provides sufficient evidence to support his claim that there is a current lack of effective training, as well as, a need for the inclusion of spiritual and religious training.
Furthermore, information provided regarding the uniqueness of this training as it pertains to the psychology sub disciplines is very helpful in providing the insight needed to understanding the complexities involved in the implementation of spiritual and religious training and what is currently keeping it from being included in each sub discipline. The suggestions included in the final sections regarding the impact the exclusion of spiritual and religious training is having on clients and how training programs can begin to implement this much-needed training are very helpful as well.
Since spirituality and religion do effect an individual’s mental health, it is this authors believe that the inclusion of this type of training would be a benefit to both the counselor, as well as the counselee. The fact that most current clinicians support the idea of this importance, but not the inclusion of spiritual and religious training is worrisome and even neglectful on the part of current clinicians not including this