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Contribution to Book
What the spiritual and religious traditions offer psychologists
Psychology
  • Thomas G. Plante, Santa Clara University
Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
1-1-2009
Publisher
Nova Scientific
Abstract

There has been a remarkable amount of popular and professional interest in the relationship between spirituality, religion, psychology, and health in recent years. Contemporary interest in spirituality and religion is popular among not only the general population but also among many psychology professionals as well. While most people believe in God and consider themselves to be spiritual, religious, or both, most psychologists do not and have no training in religion and spirituality. Psychologists can learn much from the spiritual and religious traditions that offer principles and tools that are productive to use even if one does not share the same religious or spiritual beliefs or interests. The purpose of this brief commentary is to offer thirteen spiritual and religious tools common among all of the major religious and spiritual traditions that can be utilized by contemporary professional psychologists in clinical practice and elsewhere in their professional work to enhance their already high quality professional services that they provide. In addition to the thirteen tools, relevant ethical issues are briefly discussed as well.

Chapter of
Religion and Psychology
Editor
Michael T. Evans
Emma D. Walker
Citation Information
Plante, T. G. (2009). What the spiritual and religious traditions offer psychologists. In M. T. Evans & E.D. Walles (Eds.). Religion and Psychology. New York: Nova Scientific.