Listening for the sacred: Addressing spiritual issues in the group treatment of adults with mental illness∗

Abstract

Abstract This study was undertaken to examine spiritual and religious issues among adults suffering from mental illness. The research also explored how group psychotherapy as a treatment modality can assist mentally ill adults in resolving spiritual and religious crises and identifying spiritual resources as agents in the healing process. Twelve clients in a psychiatric day treatment program participated in a weekly Spiritual Issues group co‐led by the author. The group provided individuals with an opportunity to examine their spiritual beliefs and to explore religious conflicts and doubts as well as the positive dimension of their religious experience. The major findings of the study were (a) that the Spiritual Issues group functioned as a transitional space for clients between communities of support and (b) that the group provided members with opportunities for corrective religious and emotional experiences.