Working with Spiritual Struggles in Psychotherapy

Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at Bowling Green State University. He has pioneered studies on the vital role of religion and spirituality in coping with stress and trauma. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Pargament has been a leading figure in the effort to integrate research on religion and spirituality into clinical practice. He has received the William James Award from Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) of the American Psychological Association (APA), the Oskar Pfister Award from the American Psychiatric Association, and the Outstanding Contributor to the Applied Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Award from APA Division 36, of which he was the inaugural recipient.Julie J. Exline, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. Her primary research interests focus on spiritual struggles and supernatural attributions. Dr. Exline is a clinical psychologist and was certified as a spiritual director through the Ignatian Spirituality Institute at John Carroll University. She is a past president of the Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality (Division 36 of the American Psychological Association) and is a recipient of the Society's Margaret Gorman Early Career Award, Virginia Sexton Mentoring Award, and William James Award, in recognition of her research in the psychology of religion and spirituality.

"Pargament and Exline--two psychology of religion luminaries--provide new insights into people’s fork-in-the-road spiritual struggles. This book interweaves compelling cases, stimulating concepts, and scientific evidence. It enables professionals to reflect on their own and others' spirituality, and on how to offer guidance in dark times. A first-rate work that marries scholarship with clinical and pastoral application."--David G. Myers, PhD, Department of Psychology, Hope College"Spiritual struggles can affect clients in numerous ways and on many levels, yet most clinicians are not trained to detect them, let alone assess them or make them a focus in treatment. Pargament and Exline provide a wealth of information, guidance, and case examples--and they do so with great compassion. The authors widen our clinical lens and open our eyes to an often-neglected life domain. Clinicians of all orientations and levels of experience will benefit from raising their awareness about how to incorporate spiritual struggles into comprehensive case formulations and treatment plans. A truly valuable contribution!"--Joan Davidson, PhD, Co-Director and Founding Partner, San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy; Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, Berkeley"Rarely does a book come along that informs clinicians about practical interventions, synthesizes and advances an entire field of basic and clinical research, and moves readers emotionally. Pargament and Exline have created a modern classic that you'll want to read cover to cover."--Everett L. Worthington, Jr., PhD, Emeritus Commonwealth Professor, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University“This book, by two masters in the field of psychology of religion, draws together many years’ research and reflection on the relationship between spirituality and well-being. With its strong empirical base, well-developed conceptual framework, and sure-footed practical approach, it will be invaluable to spiritual directors, pastoral counselors, and mental health professionals wishing to extend their understanding of spirituality in the lives of their clients."--Joanna Collicutt, PhD, University of Oxford, United Kingdom-

• I. Understanding Spiritual Struggles1. Introducing Spiritual Struggles2. A Conceptual Model of Spiritual Struggles3. Where Do Spiritual Struggles Come From?4. Do Spiritual Struggles Lead to Decline?: The Painful Side5. Do Spiritual Struggles Lead to Growth?: The Brighter Side6. What Shapes the Outcomes of Spiritual Struggles?II. Clinical Challenges of Spiritual Struggles7. How to Address Spiritual Struggles in Clinical Practice8. Divine Struggles9. Struggles of Ultimate Meaning10. Struggles with Doubt11. Moral Struggles12. Demonic Struggles13. Interpersonal Struggles14. Concluding ThoughtsReferencesAuthor IndexSubject Index