25 - Integrating religion into the education of mental health professionals

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the integrating religion into the education of mental health professionals. Inclusion of religion and spirituality in clinical training would appear essential. Teaching methods for religion and spirituality should be tailored to the abilities of the professor and students. Faculty who intend to teach about religion and spirituality may consider gathering a collection of videotaped interviews from patients who consent to their use for education. A formal course on religion and spirituality has the advantage of somewhat greater exposure to the topic and more opportunity to provide exposure to clinical literature. Unfortunately, many clinical training directors view teaching about religion and spirituality as unimportant and decline to allow more than a single session to address it. But now a days, both the religious diversity of Americans and professional, and public interest in religion and spirituality are increasing. The past several years have seen a rise in scientific conferences and research reports on the interface of religion and spirituality with mental and physical health .As this trend continues, the need to teach trainees will increase as mental health clinicians confront increasingly diverse religious traditions and values.