In the article, Religion and Spirituality Within Counseling/Clinical Psychology Training
Programmes: A Systematic Review by Simon Jafari (2016) was written to “review
primary research literature related to training in religion and spirituality within
accredited training programmes” (Abstract). Within the article, the author is
emphasizing that there is a growing gap between religious clients with agnostic or
atheistic psychological professional. Therefore, there is a gap that needs to be
filled to fit the needs of the religious clients. c c
c c c c c c c c c c In order to find the research to fill that gap, the main question Jafari
(2016) had was, is there enough research out there with adequate information
about the training in religion and spirituality within training programmes?”
(Discussion and Implications). When trying to find the data under the set
parameters set for the data, Jafari had to adjust the criteria because of the lack of
research done.
c c c c c c c c c c From this, Jafari (2016) found that religion and spirituality is not being
adequately addressed in existing training (Conclusion). The overall conclusion is
that there is a huge need for a framework within training to address religion and
spirituality (Jafari, 2016, Conclusion).
c c c c c c c c c c My response to the findings is a mixture between not being that surprised
but disappointed that there has not been much done about this. At one point
within the article, it is pointed out that there is a growth in the number of
professionals that are agnostic or atheist, so why would there not be an emphasis
of training for religious clients. Out of respect for basic ethics is to not push
beliefs onto our clients, so why wouldn’t there be a training on how to truly be
mutual? c As Entwistle (2015) stated, “If we are to integrate psychology and
Christianity, we must develop some guidelines about how we should proceed” (p.
68). We need more research about this.
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and christianity: An
introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of
integration. Cascade Books.
Jafari, S. (2016). Religion and spirituality within counselling/clinical psychology
training programmes: A systematic review. British Journal of Guidance &
Counselling, 44(3), 257–267. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2016.1153038
