Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy [Paperback]

Froma Walsh PhD MSW (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2003

Spirituality has long been regarded as "off-limits" in clinical practice, leaving family therapists and counselors uncertain as to how to approach it. Yet the majority of families regard religion as important in their lives, and research has begun to document the psychological and health benefits of faith and congregational support. Further, many who seek help for physical, emotional, or interpersonal problems are also in spiritual distress. Filling a crucial void, this volume explores the influences of faith beliefs and practices on suffering, healing, and health. Leading family therapists describe how attending to this vital dimension of human experience can inform and enrich therapy, illuminate spiritual sources of distress, and help clients tap into wellsprings for resilience and growth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"! ! ! ! ! Must Read"-"-Today's Books"
"This informative volume provides a survey of theoretical and practical perspectives on the importance of attending to spiritual considerations within the therapeutic process with families....This volume marks an important contribution to both 'secular' and religiously affiliated programs of counselor training and will be a welcome addition to the libraries of seminaries, clergy, and practicing psychotherapists."--"Religious Studies Review"
"Although written for mental health professionals, the articles are accessible and can be appreciated by a wide audience."--"Research News and Opportunities in Science and Theology"
"This volume creatively and successfully takes on the challenge of documenting the growing variety of attempts at the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy....A major strength of this volume is the variety of perspectives....This volume succeeds in persuading the reader that there is, in fact, a great deal of work going on regarding the integration of spirituality and psychotherapy. Taken as a whole, the various accounts make a good case that this integration can be fruitful and constructive."--"International Academy for Marital Spirituality"
"This volume marks an important contribution to both 'secular' and religiously affiliated programs of counselor training and will be a welcome addition to the libraries of seminaries, clergy, and practicing psychotherapists."--"Religious Studies Review"
"Robust...in its honesty and in the diversity of viewpoints offered....Read this book of inspiration on your own spiritual path. And leave it on your desk during your next few sessions. It may give you the courage toshoo the lawyers out the door and put the case managers on hold. In the resulting quiet space, you might find in your work with your clients what it is that brings us all together."--"Family Therapy Networker"
"This book has many strengths. The variety of topics and authors along with its clinical and research contributions make the book an excellent resource. Most importantly, just addressing spirituality and religion as resources for families is a highlight worth the price of the book. Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy also invites the family therapist to examine his/her own spiritual journey and values and how these impact on therapy. Indeed, Walsh and associates are helping family therapy regain its soul....I like the book and recommend it to others."--"Pastoral Sciences"
"I believe that this book remarkably fulfills its objective. It clearly presents the importance of spirituality in the therapist's life and the value of knowing the spiritual in the lives of our clients. Anyone who is a therapist can profit from reading it."--"American Journal of Pastoral Counseling"
.,."an excellent collection of articles by an impressive array of clinicians....every chapter makes a worthwhile contribution."--"Journal of Family Psychotherapy"
"This is a timely, relevant book. Walsh and her fine authors have truly made a significant contribution to the field. The structure makes sense; the breadth and depth in each chapter will probably make this a required text in marriage and family therapy training....There is indeed a hunger in the profession as in our personal lives for deepening our spirituality. This is a bold and essential work."--"Journal of Feminist Family Therapy"
"This is a wonderful book that fills a gap in the family therapy literature--spirituality and family therapy....As Walsh notes in the overview, almost 96% of Americans believe in some form of higher power, and by ignoring that aspect of our clients' lives, we are doing them a disservice."--"Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy"
.,."an excellent collection of articles by an impressive array of clinicians....every chapter makes a worthwhile contribution."-"-Journal of Family Psychotherapy"
"This is a wonderful book that fills a gap in the family therapy literature/m-/spirituality and family therapy....As Walsh notes in the overview, almost 96% of Americans believe in some form of higher power, and by ignoring that aspect of our clients' lives, we are doing them a disservice."--"Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy"
.,."excellent....(Walsh) opens the subject of engaging both therapist's and client's spirituality in therapy and then offers a cornucopia of possibilities for doing that....she offers opening possibilities of letting the spirit into family assessment and tapping spiritual resources for healing, recovery, and resilience....The twenty contributors to this volume represent a remarkable variety of spiritual orientations....In all this diversity, there was a remarkable sensitivity to self and other, an ability to bridge differences, a well informed, but open ended approach that respected, valued, and honored the client family's journey."--"Review and Expositor"
"This timely volume presents a broad and pluralistic view of spirituality and offers an ecumenical wellspring for therapists and clients of diverse faith orientations. It should serve as avaluable resource for counselors, family therapists, and other health professionals."--"Digest of Neurology and Psychiatry"
.,."there is something here for anyone. The book is likely to be a constant reference source for clarification, and it challenges the simplistic approaches offered by less thoughtful and sensitive works."--"Readings"
"I really appreciated the respectful stance the book takes towards different spiritualities, and the value that is placed on client self-determination....The text provides a thoughtful reflection for me both as a practitioner and as one journeying through life."-"-Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy"

From the Back Cover

Ever since Freud characterized religion as an illusion, spirituality and psychotherapy have unfortunately been separated. This inspiring volume integrates religion and spirituality into the mainstream of family therapy. It brings to the forefront the importance of these dimensions in helping people draw meaning from important events in their lives meaning that is at the heart of the psychotherapeutic experience. Helping us examine the ways we may be constraining clients from talking about spirituality, the authors embrace a more integrated approach to therapy that includes mind, body, and soul (Susan H. McDaniel, PhD). --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 302 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (May 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572309199
• ISBN-13: 978-1572309197
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,268,455 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A pioneering book in the field of "spiritual psychology", February 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy (Hardcover)

I became aware of this book at the University of Chicago. Dr. Walsh is again pushing the envelope in the field of family counseling and therapy. She is exploring new constructs and interventions that are based on a significantly broader definition of health and happiness. This is important reading for clinical counselors and family therapists alike!