Abstract
ABSTRACTTo assess the relationship and collaborations between mental health professionals and religious and spiritual leaders, eleven representatives of ten different religious affiliations in Portugal participated in this qualitative study. Major findings reported showed that religious leaders perceive themselves as important agents in promoting and preserving their congregants’ mental health, as well as aiding their recovery processes; however this occurs without much referral to or collaboration with mental health professionals. These findings are discussed, as well as why and how a healthy collaboration between mental health professionals and religious leaders can positively impact the psychotherapeutic relationship and clinical outcomes with religious/spiritual clients.
Highlights
Over the past few decades, research on religion, spirituality and health has gone to great lengths to understand the nature of the relationship between these three dimensions
Religious and spiritual leaders stated that religion, religiosity and spiritually are important dimensions to the mental health of people around the world
Few negative aspects of religion were mentioned, such as guilt, feelings of oppression and misinterpretations of beliefs, which could cause mental health problems: “From the Buddhist’ point of view, human existence is marked by an incessant desire for happiness” [PBU]; “But here it is based on something that is fundamental: knowing who God is... because I cannot have faith without knowing God.” [LDS]; “It helps in the same way that friendly relationships do
Summary
Over the past few decades, research on religion, spirituality and health has gone to great lengths to understand the nature of the relationship between these three dimensions. Mental health professionals are seldom consulted for spiritual/religious problems (Sørgaard et al, 1996)
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