A phenomenological study of spiritual values in secular-based marriage and family therapists.

摘要

Research is lacking on the spiritual values of secular-based marriage and family therapists. Marriage and family therapists have the highest percentage of practitioners active in religious or spiritual activities, when compared to other licensed professionals. Research on the lived experiences of secular-based marriage and family therapists who engage the spiritual resources of their clients is sparse. This study attempted to provide qualitative phenomenological research on how spiritual values were considered, incorporated, and utilized by secular-based marriage and family therapists. This research of marriage and family therapists who considered three spiritual-based case scenarios was undertaken to expand knowledge at the intersection of family therapy and spirituality. Themes and patterns of participants' responses are discussed in this paper. The findings in this research study may prove helpful to marriage and family therapy professors, marriage and family supervisors, and secular-based therapists with no formal religious training.