Spiritual Dialogues in Family Therapy

Abstract

A spiritual dialogue or reflection can be defined rather broadly as what transcends or takes us beyond our everyday experience of self and world. In these terms being systemic naturally encompasses a spiritual perspective because it invites us to be curious, ask questions, and look beyond the bounded individual or self to contemplate the ‘pattern that connects’ us to the world and all of life. Nonetheless a spiritual stance in systemic family therapy can encompass a diversity of beliefs about the universe, ecology, or God. Every systemic conversation can evoke the spiritual: the question is whether as therapists we are open to and listen for it? Spirituality in family therapy is informed by a sense of curiosity, imagination, humility, and wonder when change occurs. How therapists and clients imagine change may be just as powerful as techniques or models of therapy. The paper presents several practice vignettes illustrating the relevance of spiritual dialogue in family therapy.