Religion and Therapy
(and should they ever mix?)
There exists a long-standing debate on the compatibility of religion and psychotherapy.
Much like how religion and science are often viewed as antagonistic in their attempts to explain the human condition, religion and psychotherapy are often perceived to be at odds with each other in the mending of the psyche.
Given that over 80% of Singaporeans consider themselves religious, many patients are interested in discussing their religious concerns with their psychologist. Indeed, an extensive body of research has consistently demonstrated the benefits of religion on one’s mental health. When used in an appropriate context, it can enhance one’s stress resilience, impart meaning to life, and serves as a source of social support. People who are more religious have also been found to be less susceptible to depression and are better able to cope if they do become depressed.
However, we must respect the diametrically opposed starting points of psychology and religion, keeping in mind that the two disciplines have fundamentally disparate presuppositions, methodology, and social roles.
Thus, their conflation can lead to tension, misunderstanding, and unnecessary strive that diminishes the effectiveness of psychotherapy.
The introduction of spiritual and religious content into psychotherapy runs the risk of replacing, diluting or deviating from the evidence-based intervention models that undergird psychology as a scientific discipline. There is also the possibility that psychotherapists may unintentionally alter their clients’ religious values or beliefs. All of this could potentially undermine the therapeutic alliance.
Psychotherapy should not draw from any authority in any faith tradition but must instead be scientifically grounded and validated
Here are some do’s and don’t’s that every clinician should abide by:
Ψ A clinician must respect a patient’s religious faith and spiritual beliefs and commit to establishing a religion-agnostic and spiritually sensitive therapeutic relationship with patients.
Ψ Clinicians should and must strive to deliver psychological services taking into account the full circumstances of each patient, including any religious and spiritual beliefs and commitments.
Ψ A clinician must be deliberate in their attempts to learn about how their patients’ religion shapes their worldview, and how it affects their experience of and management of mental illness.
Ψ The importance of religion as a social institution and the central role that it plays in the lives of our clients must also be acknowledged by the clinician.
Ψ However, clinicians must be aware of the potential risks associated with integrating religious or spiritual interventions into clinical interventions. This means that religious and spiritual issues should not be the central focus of psychotherapy. A range of problems and ethical dilemmas usually accompany the unification of religion and psychotherapy and could seriously impede the attainment of efficacious and ethical intervention.