Ethical Implications of implementing Religion and Spirituality into Therapy
Religion and therapeutic measures are different fields. Whereas medicine is a science that seeks to cure illnesses, religion is spirituality which is based on beliefs. However, the two areas can be incorporated into the healing process. Specialists suggest that medicine cures while spirituality heals. In other instances, some spiritual and religious beliefs may hinder therapeutic interventions. Some therapists believe that incorporating spirituality into therapy fastens the healing process. However, there are several ethical implications of implementing spirituality into therapy.
Spirituality is an essential component of healing. Although medicine cures illnesses, spirituality, and religion play a significant role in healing. One of the purposes of therapy is healing. Many people attend therapy sessions to receive healing, understanding, acceptance, and even closure. According to Puchalski (2001), some illnesses do not have a cure, but it is possible to acquire healing for any disease. Studies have pointed out that people who have religious practices live longer. Spirituality enables people suffering from chronic conditions to cope with their pain and suffering. Therefore, by maintaining a faithful commitment; patients get spiritual healing which in turn prolongs their lives. Therapists should understand the religious orientation of their patients to avoid moral and theological dilemmas.
Implementing spirituality into therapy may impose religious values on the patient. Religion implies belief in a set of values and ethics. Every person is entitled to their own beliefs, values, and ethics. Religious therapists, like other ordinary people, have religious beliefs, values, and ethics. In most instances, therapists treat patients who hold a different set of values and beliefs. Therefore, it is difficult for a religious therapist to remain objective when treating a non-spiritual patient. In line with Hill (2012), mental clinicians hold beliefs that are drawn from a theological framework, and, no matter what the source, these beliefs will directly affect the therapeutic relationship and process. Moreover, some professionals use their religious orientation to challenge clients to make choices that align with the opinions of the therapist. Therapists are expected to help patients heal without imposing religious beliefs or pressuring their patients into changing their religious beliefs. Therefore, it is an ethical concern about whether spiritual therapists can treat patients without imposing religious values.
Competency is another ethical concern when incorporating religion with therapy. When a religious therapist does not hold the same spiritual beliefs as their patient, the situation can create discomfort and a moral dilemma for the two parties. For therapy to be successful, the patient and the therapists should be comfortable to open a communication line. However, when there is a religious barrier between a therapist and a patient, it is impossible to communicate effectively. Furthermore, when a therapist imposes their religious beliefs to their patient, the patient may feel uncomfortable and unable to express their true feelings. According to Vieten et al. (2013), most psychotherapists receive little or no training in religious and spiritual issues because no agreed-on set of spiritual competencies or training guidelines exist. Thus, incorporating religion and therapy may have ethical implications because of the competency of the services offered.
Spiritual affiliation may prevent a therapist and a patient from connecting despite an informed constent. As stated earlier, different spiritual alliances between a patient and a therapist can create an uncomfortable situation. As per Parboteeah et al. (2008), religious convictions may affect healthcare decision making. For instance, a patient may not understand their medical condition in medical terms. However, the patient may refer to their spiritual beliefs to find comfort or solace. Although a therapist is not supposed to impose their religious beliefs onto a patient, they are faced with the task of differentiating between facts and opinions. In many patients, spiritual beliefs may affect the decisions they take regarding their health. Helping the patient avert their decision may create a rift between a therapist and a patient. However, it is crucial to understand the spiritual affiliation of a patient and help them decide without imposing different religious beliefs.
Therapists encounter different types of patients who harbor different beliefs. According to Hill (2012), a high level of self-awareness is needed for approaching the spiritual discussion as therapists are ethically responsible for protecting the welfare of their clients. Although therapists are required to remain objective when dealing with patients, they should consider their religious beliefs. For therapists, it is quite challenging to an ethically sound treatment plan for every patient. Since each patient holds different religious beliefs, a therapist should address each patient according to their beliefs. Thus, a therapist should be self-aware when treating patients to avoid getting carried away by the affiliations of their patients.
In conclusion, spirituality is an essential component of therapeutic healing. Without self-acceptance and inner peace, a patient cannot achieve healing. Therefore, incorporating religion and therapy is critical. However, several ethical dilemmas arise from integrating spirituality and therapy. Professionals may not resist the urge to impose their religious beliefs on patients. Also, the competency of the service offered when religion is implemented in therapy is questionable. Furthermore, different religious beliefs between a patient and a therapist may create an uncomfortable situation which in turn hinders effective communication. Besides, therapists may have a hard time balancing their religious belief and those of different patients they encounter. Since spirituality is an essential aspect of healing, therapists should be trained on how to overcome the ethical dilemmas brought about by incorporating therapy and spirituality.
References
Hill, C. (2012). Ethically Incorporating Spirituality in Therapy.
Parboteeah, K. P., Hoegl, M., & Cullen, J. B. (2008). Ethics and religion: An empirical test of a multidimensional model. Journal of business ethics, 80(2), 387-398.
Puchalski, C. M. (2001, October). The role of spirituality in health care. In Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings (Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 352-357). Taylor & Francis.
Vieten, C., Scammell, S., Pilato, R., Ammondson, I., Pargament, K. I., & Lukoff, D. (2013). Spiritual and religious competencies for psychologists. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 5(3), 129-144.