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. b b
b b b b b b b b b 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.
b b b b b b b b b 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).
b b b b b b b b b 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? b 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
