CE Workshop: 12:00 pm- 1:30pm 

1.5 CE Credits

Spirituality plays an important role in the lives of many, as a critical aspect of what it is to be human. Christians rely on spirituality as a guiding belief system of purpose and hope for connecting with others in relationships. Thus, there is considerable potential for incorporating spirituality into the therapeutic work with Christian couples. Although many couples seek psychotherapy that is based on scientifically proven methods, many of these methods allow for spirituality to be integrated and utilized as a resource for positive outcomes. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of how spirituality can be integrated within research-based methods of couple psychotherapy as a resource for building strong and sustainable relationships. The presentation will also address strategies for identifying and overcoming psychologists’ countertransference and ambivalence in working with couples who identify as Christian couples.

Learning Objectives:

• Increase therapists’ competencies addressing issues of spirituality through awareness of their own biases and evaluating the spiritual concepts of mutuality, justice, and hospitality within the therapeutic relationship.
• Discuss at least three methods for assessing couples’ use of spirituality and its role in their relationship.
• Discuss methods for integrating spirituality in at least three research-based frameworks for couple psychotherapy.