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Student Counseling and Personnel Services

Psychotherapy

Faculty Publications

Articles 1 - 7 of 7

Full-Text Articles in Education

Processes And Outcomes Of Theistic Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy: A Practice-Based Evidence Investigation, Peter W. Sanders, P. Scott Richards, Jason A. Mcbride, Troy Lea, Randy K. Hardman, Daniel V. Barnes Jan 2015

Processes And Outcomes Of Theistic Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy: A Practice-Based Evidence Investigation, Peter W. Sanders, P. Scott Richards, Jason A. Mcbride, Troy Lea, Randy K. Hardman, Daniel V. Barnes

Faculty Publications

Various approaches for incorporating spirituality into psychotherapy have been devel- oped, but few have been submitted to empirical scrutiny. The present article reports the results of a practice-based evidence (PBE) study, and demonstrates the value of PBE as a research strategy for the empirical evaluation of spiritually oriented psychothera- pies (SOPs). This approach involves examining the effectiveness of SOPs in routine settings, providing more externally valid results than randomized controlled trials. Outcome and process data for 304 clients at a private, religious, university counseling center were examined using a PBE methodology. Clinicians integrated a wide variety of spiritual interventions with …


The Role Of Inspiration In The Helping Professions, Kari A. O'Grady, P. Scott Richards Jan 2010

The Role Of Inspiration In The Helping Professions, Kari A. O'Grady, P. Scott Richards

Faculty Publications

This qualitative research study examined the ways that helping professionals experi- ence inspiration, as defined as divine guidance or influence, in their therapeutic work. It also explored their beliefs about how helping professionals can seek inspiration in their work. Open-ended survey questions from 333 respondents from a diverse range of religious and professional backgrounds were qualitatively analyzed. The themes ex- tracted give insight into the ways that these helping professionals have experienced inspiration in their work and about how helping professionals can facilitate a spiritual space in the therapeutic context.


The Need For Evidence-Based, Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapies, P. Scott Richards, Everett L. Worthington Jr. Jan 2010

The Need For Evidence-Based, Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapies, P. Scott Richards, Everett L. Worthington Jr.

Faculty Publications

Despite a proliferation of spiritually oriented psychotherapies during the past 2 decades in the mental health professions, outcome research is lacking. In this present article, 6 published outcome reviews that shed light on the efficacy of these psychotherapies are discussed. Although there is general support for the efficacy of spiritually oriented treatment approaches, the data base is relatively small and has methodological limitations. Spiritually oriented cognitive approaches for religious clients with depression and anxiety meet evidence- based standards of efficacy. Several other spiritually oriented approaches are probably efficacious but need additional investigation. Methodological recommendations for improving the quality of future …


Ethical Challenges And Opportunities At The Edge: Incorporating Spirituality And Religion Into Psychotherapy, John C. Gonsiorek, P. Scott Richards, Kenneth I. Pargament, Mark R. Mcminn Jan 2009

Ethical Challenges And Opportunities At The Edge: Incorporating Spirituality And Religion Into Psychotherapy, John C. Gonsiorek, P. Scott Richards, Kenneth I. Pargament, Mark R. Mcminn

Faculty Publications

Incorporating spirituality and religion into psychotherapy has been controversial, but recent contri- butions have argued the importance and provided foundations for doing so. Discussions of ethical challenges in this process are emerging, and this contribution discusses several preliminary issues, relying on the Resolution on Religious, Religion-Based and/or Religion-Derived Prejudice adopted by the American Psychological Association in 2007, as guidance when used with the American Psychological Association’s (2002) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Specifically, this discussion of preliminary challenges addresses competence, bias, maintaining traditions and standards of psychology, and integrity in labeling services for reimbursement. Commentators deepen the …


The Need For Ecumenical, Denominational And Empirically-Supported Christian Psychotherapy Approaches In Public Settings, P. Scott Richards Jan 2009

The Need For Ecumenical, Denominational And Empirically-Supported Christian Psychotherapy Approaches In Public Settings, P. Scott Richards

Faculty Publications

James Skillen has written an important and broad- ranging article about the place of Christian counseling in public settings. I will focus my brief comments on what I regard as some of the implications of the following statement: "You ought to be able to conduct your counseling and psychiatric practices in a thoroughly Christian manner within a public or semi-public accrediting system that provides public-legal protection and equal access for a diverse range of professional and disciplinary approaches. You should not have to stuff your practice into a private box if it is distinctively Christian any more than another professional …


Using Spiritual Interventions In Psychotherapy: Practices, Successes, Failures, And Ethical Concerns Of Mormon Psychotherapists, P. Scott Richards, Richard W. Potts Jan 1995

Using Spiritual Interventions In Psychotherapy: Practices, Successes, Failures, And Ethical Concerns Of Mormon Psychotherapists, P. Scott Richards, Richard W. Potts

Faculty Publications

Two hundred and fifteen (out of 300) randomly selected Mormon psychotherapists were surveyed and asked to indicate how frequently they use various spiritual interventions in psychotherapy and to describe successful and unsuccessful spiritual intervention case examples. The therapists indi- cated that they use a wide variety of spiritual interventions, including praying silently for clients, teaching spiritual concepts, encouraging forgiveness, and using the religious community as a sup- port. Many spiritual interventions were perceived by the therapists as potentially therapeutic. Pro- cess guidelines for using spiritual interventions were offered by the therapists, and ethical concerns (e.g., dual relationships, imposing values) were …


Healthy And Unhealthy Forms Of Religiousness Manifested By Psychotherapy Clients: An Empirical Investigation, P. Scott Richards, Steven A. Smith, Lanay F. Davis Dec 1989

Healthy And Unhealthy Forms Of Religiousness Manifested By Psychotherapy Clients: An Empirical Investigation, P. Scott Richards, Steven A. Smith, Lanay F. Davis

Faculty Publications

This study investigated whether 49 Mormon psychotherapy clients and 51 Mormon nonclients differed on a number of religious and psychological variables. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance, controlling for social desirability, education level, and occupation status. Clients scored higher than nonclients on shame and lower on existential well-being. There were no significant differences between clients and nonclients on religious orientation, religious wellbeing, moral reasoning, and guilt. Females scored much higher on guilt, and female clients scored much higher on shame; there were no other gender differences. Subjects showed a preference for Stage 4 moral reasoning, and 92% were …