Psychotherapy with Religious and Spiritual Clients: An Introduction

This invited issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session is devoted to psychotherapy with religious and spiritual clients. After offering definitions of religion and spirituality, noting areas of potential convergence and differentiating nuances, the authors highlight the prevalence and types of spirituality among both clients and mental health professionals. They describe the historical and current context for examining approaches to psychotherapy with clients who endorse religion, experience spirituality within their religion, or define themselves as spiritual even if not religious. They then summarize the subsequent articles in this issue, which offer practical guidance for practitioners. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 65:123-130, 2009.