Brazilian psychotherapists and the dimension of religiosity/spirituality

Abstract

AbstractEvidence indicates the absence of the topic of religiosity/spirituality (R/S) in the training of Brazilian psychologists, suggesting the invisibility of such elements in professionals in the field. However, the psychologist is also a human being who has religious/spiritual conditions that can influence the way of feeling and understanding these phenomena. This qualitative study aimed to discover how psychotherapists experience R/S in their lives, as well as their difficulties and feelings when dealing with the subject in their clinical psychology practice. Twenty‐four psychotherapists were interviewed from two medium‐sized cities in the countryside of states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, Brazil. The psychologists' R/S follows the configuration of secularisation that has been growing throughout the world, but it does not prevent them from experiencing this dimension in their lives. For the majority, religious/spiritual beliefs and experiences permeate the psychotherapeutic relationship, and there are divergences with their patients. However, they showed interest in working on such themes, although not always with ease. We emphasise the importance of the professionals recognising themselves as human beings who are also influenced by a range of characteristics including religious/spiritual ones, and their needs, difficulties and potential regarding R/S in clinical practice and training.