The Pastor as Partner in Therapy

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The Pastor as Partner in Therapy

• Miriam D. Ukeritis, CSJ, PhD
• July 7, 2007

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Overview

• Value of exploring spirituality (religion, God
  relationship)
• Relevant factors in considering a patients
  relationship with religion
• Role of pastor/spiritual guide in treatment
• Closing thoughts

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Religion/Spirituality Therapy

• Patient History
• Reluctance to explore religion, spirituality,
  relationship with God
• Role of religion in childhood, currently
• Relationship with God
• Therapist Attitude Non-judgmental

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Role of Religion in Life

• Positive coping factor
• Potential for additional support
• Roots of guilt
• Roots of depression
• Faith tradition provides larger context

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Life Influences on Spirituality

• Developmental stages of patient
• Chronologically
• Psychologically
• Faith-wise
• Authenticity
• Memory or attribution/experience-based

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Considering Presenting Issue

• Direct connection with religious schema
• E.g., grief, loss, relationships
• Tangential
• E.g., means of acting-out authority issues
• Clear or unclear?
• E.g., recovering Catholic

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The Pastor/Spiritual Guide

• Is s/he presently in patients life?
• If yes,
• Quality of relationship?
• Supportive of growth?
• Supportive of therapy process?

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Contact May Be Useful If

• Apparent conflict between treatment and religion
  exists
• Person could be ally in treatment
• Spiritual guidance could shed light on treatment
  process
• Patient is engaging in splitting behavior

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Closing Thoughts

• What is your level of comfort in addressing
  issues of religion/ spirituality?
• What are your assumptions re role of
  spirituality/religion in ones life?
• What opportunities can you make to meet other
  clergy?

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