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Religious & Spiritual Concerns in Psychotherapy: A Primer for Clinicians

The majority of patients who present for psychotherapy subscribe to a set of religious beliefs which, either explicitly or implicitly, shape their world view. Even those who do not consider themselves to be “religious” nevertheless view themselves as “spiritual.” Psychologists may at times neglect to appreciate the significant role that religion and/or spirituality plays in the lives of their patients. The majority of research on the relationship between religion, spirituality, and well-being indicates a positive correlation. This introductory presentation will increase clinicians’ skill in assessing the significance of religion and spiritually in their patients’ lives and improve clinicians’ ability to identify appropriate times and means for integrating religion and spirituality into the therapy process.

Christopher S. M. Grimes, Psy.D., is a Licensed Psychologist, Director of the Program for Psychology and Religion at St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute and Assistant Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at St. Louis University Medical School. The Program for Psychology & Religion provides multidisciplinary evaluations and treatment for clergy and men and women religious. Additionally, Dr. Grimes maintain a general outpatient caseload of individual and couple/family therapy patients. He earned his Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology. He has published articles and book chapters on the topics of religion, spirituality, and wellbeing.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of the program, participants will learn:
1. The 3 types of client groups for whom religion is especially beneficial.
2. The potential positive and negative effects of religious coping.
3. To distinguish between intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity.
4. Strategies for integrating religion/spirituality within psychotherapy.

CE 2.0 Hours (for Missouri psychologists only)

$40 for paid SLPA members (dinner and CE included).
$40 for non-psychologist guests (dinner only; no CE certificate issued).
$25 for paid SLPA student members.
$60 for non-members psychologists (dinner and CE included).

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