The Role of Spirituality in Psychological and Physical Health

Given the pervasiveness of religious and spiritual belief in the lives of many patients, it is curious that it is only recently that the association of religion, and/or spirituality, with mental and medical health clinical practice has become a focus of empirical research and published literature. Perhaps this scarcity of empirical attention stems from what has come to be seen as a basic and long-standing “disconnection” between the scientific and spiritual communities – from Galileo onward. In an effort to bridge this gap, this course provides mental healthcare professionals with the information necessary to integrate theoretical and evidence-based data with related psychological theory and practical clinical skills to treat patients facing acute, chronic, and/or terminal illness in a more holistic manner – attending to their spiritual and/or religious beliefs. The foundation of the information presented within this course view spirituality and religion as vital aspects of an individual and as potentially adaptive coping mechanisms in the face of a threat to one’s health.