Integrating Spirituality into MFT Training: A Reflexive Curriculum and Qualitative Evaluation

• Published in: Journal of marital and family therapy 2019-04, Vol.45 (2), p.219-232
• Main Authors: Williams‐Reade, Jacqueline M., Lobo, Elsie, Gutierrez, Gabriela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Cognitive Style; Curricula; Curriculum; Education; Education, Graduate - methods; Family counseling; Family therapists; Family Therapy - education; Female; Gender identity; Graduate studies; Humans; Learning Processes; Male; Marital Therapy - education; Marriage; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Personal relationships; Polls & surveys; Practice placements; Program Evaluation; Psychotherapy; Qualitative Research; Religion; Religiosity; Religious beliefs; Religious organizations; Spirituality; Student Experience; Students; Teaching Methods; Therapists; Therapy; Training; Usefulness
• ISSN: 0194-472X; 1752-0606
• DOI: 10.1111/jmft.12314

When clients enter the therapy room they bring unique spiritual beliefs and values in with them; however, marital and family therapists (MFTs) often lack training to assist in this important area of diversity. Current training recommendations encourage therapists to explore their own spirituality to identify personal limitations that may occlude positive client outcomes; however very little information exists on the implementation and usefulness of this type of training. This article will describe a curriculum and report results from a qualitative study of students who participated in a reflexive spirituality practicum course offered in a COAMFTE accredited doctoral program at a private, religious institution. Through this, we hope to provide a training model to further spiritual integration activities in MFT.