The Skillful Soul of the Psychotherapist: The Link between Spirituality and Clinical Excellence

(Hardback)

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In The Skillful Soul of the Psychotherapist, master clinicians reflect on their core spiritual values, beliefs, experiences, and the role these play in psychotherapy. Reflections by Nancy McWilliams,David Wallin, and Salman Akhtar are responded to by scholars representing a substantial range of psychological, spiritual, religious, and theological perspectives. The ensuing scholarly, clinical dialogue advances the idea that a psychotherapists formative spiritual experiences and core values both deeply influence and are simultaneously influenced by the therapeutic relationships and healing work that constitute his or her clinical practice. Through this addressing of the interplay between these master clinicians inner wisdom and the therapeutic process, readers will see demonstrated firsthand the vital importance of the psychotherapists spiritual life for creative and effective clinical work. This volume will also provide the opportunity for both experienced and training psychotherapists to enrich their own clinical practice via a more robust engagement in the points of contact and resonance that exist between their work with clients and their own unique spiritual lives and experiences.

Reviews

In this one-of-a-kind text, Stavros invites master clinicians (and respondents) to reflect on how their religious backgrounds impact their approach to therapy. By taking a hermeneutic approach, this book places religion on par with culture, ethnicity, race and gender and reminds the reader that the history and person of the therapist matters. This book will be a delight to all therapists with religious or spiritual leanings and useful to those working with patients with religious and spiritual commitments. -- Brad Strawn, PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology
Stavros builds a clinic on sacred ground and opens the front door to Spirit, creating opportunity for deeper healing and more profound growth. Benefiting from the wisdom of our ancestors, he asks how religion can guide the human psycho-spiritual journey. Experienced therapists will envision new horizons for treatment, and students will now form careers from a foundational view of spiritual life. For respecting the past, Stavros has innovated, with a true breakthrough.This book is very much needed by our contemporary culture of psychotherapy. -- Lisa Miller, PhD, Columbia University

Author Bio

George S. Stavros, PhD, is the executive director of the Danielsen Institute at Boston University and a licensed psychologist. Steven J. Sandage, PhD, is the Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Pastoral Psychology and Theology at Boston University. He is a licensed psychologist and director of the Center for Research in Religion and Psychology at the Danielsen Institute.