Spiritual Presence in Psychotherapy: A Guide for Caregivers

The book is authoritative, well-reasoned, and abounds in wisdom. It accurately portrays the deepest meanings of both spiritual presence and psychotherapy and shows interactions. This is a pioneering volume, the first of its kind. It should be the standard text for years to come. -- Wayne E. Oates, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry Emeritus, University of Louisiana School of Medicine In Spiritual Presence in Psychotherapy, David Steere recognizes the incorporation of this tradition -- referring to it as spirituality -- and presents a unique look at this heretofore neglected interface. This book is written in response to the need observed by Dr. Steere, for caregivers who want to accommodate a spiritual dimension in their work. For this reason, psychotherapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, pastoral counselors, nurses -- all dealing with the responsibility of treating mental disorders and helping people change -- will find Spiritual Presence in Psychotherapy invaluable. The first part of the text discusses the interfaces of psychotherapy and spirituality. Dr. Steere analyzes the deconstruction of mainstream religion and the rise of psychotherapy against a backdrop of what he calls spiritual homelessness. In the second part, seven models for spiritual presence in psychotherapy are described. These are: supernatural, expansive, empathic, developmental, sacred, crisis, and systemic. Then, in the final portion of the book, the focus moves to an integration of responsiveness to spiritual presence in effective and enduring caregiving. In addition to the professionals who will find Spiritual Presence in Psychotherapy an important resource and reference, the bookwill also serve as a key textbook for graduate-level students of professional issues and ethics, as well as psychotherapy and spirituality.