Psychologists incorporate spirituality


Denise Lamothe, Psy.D., HHD, of Epping, N.H., uses therapeutic aids such as relaxation techniques, biofeedback meditation and more in her practice which emphasizes a holistic approach. (photo by Kathryn Hardy)

By Phyllis Hanlon

Religion and politics are two hot topics that people avoid in the interest of non-confrontational dialogue. For the most part, psychologists exemplify the same behavior in their practices even though in the late 1890s, researchers William James and G. Stanley Hall explored the idea of religious development in relation to psychology. Today, some psychologists are drifting back to those spiritual roots in their treatment of mental illness.

In the past, the rationale was to eliminate any discussion of religion from a conversation, according to Andrew Futterman, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology at Holy Cross College in Worcester, Mass. "I don't know how you can write it out of the picture though," he says. "You would certainly want to understand the individual's personality as well as his social supports." Basic values go hand-in-hand with the client's profile, he adds. Futterman studied religious involvement and mental health under a grant funded by the National Institute of Aging (NIA) and indicates that research shows a correlation between religion and positive mental well being.

Martin Lang, Ph.D., psychologist and professor of religious studies at Fairfield University in Connecticut, has also conducted studies that investigate how spirituality and psychology interface. "One of the specific areas is how people develop images of God. This will often have repercussions in their lives," he says. He refers to this personal concept of a higher power as the "life meaning system." Lang promotes the use of spiritual methodology when helping someone develop an approach to life that is satisfying holistically. "If you experience tragedy and wonder where was God in your life or when someone hits bottom, they might seek pastoral counseling," he says.

Lang served as director of a pastoral counseling center for 18 years and says this discipline grows out of a Catholic tradition. In the past, only clergy administered the therapy, although the laity is now becoming more involved with this practice.

Ron Dieter, Ph.D., D.Min., a psychologist and licensed pastoral psychotherapist in Concord, N.H., ministers to individuals who feel more comfortable with a faith-oriented psychologist as well as to others who simply view him as a counselor. "Spirituality has more to do with the person of the therapist and what that individual brings to the relationship," he says. "We all bring certain tools, but a spiritual psychologist brings a kind of presence that is hard to describe." In the Granite State, pastoral psychotherapists are licensed by the same board as psychologists, according to Kirsten Singleton, executive director of the New Hampshire Psychological Association.

Training techniques and education as well as treatment methods are the same for traditional psychologists and those who use a spiritual approach. Psychologists who focus more on spirituality are simply more attuned to the awareness of meaning by their orientation, according to Dieter. "They have a sense of spiritual dimension and understand what gives a person value," he says.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks and wave of violence in homes, schools and communities, the number of individuals seeking counseling of a spiritual nature has risen, according to Dieter. "Fear gets our attention," he says. Terrorism and violence violate our sense of normalcy. Once internal disorganization occurs, an individual begins to search for wholeness and a way to become grounded once again. "Having that ever-present force in your life is what spirituality is all about," he says.

Denise Lamothe, Psy.D, HHD (doctor of holistic health), of Epping, N.H., enhanced her traditional training with study in holistic medicine so she could more aptly address the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects of her clients. She promotes healing through self-care by nurturing the spirit with creative play, much like resorting to the free spiritedness of youth. "From the holistic point of view, you look at the basic issue and then look at other things like the environment, relationships, spiritual care," she says.

Lamothe says that in traditional psychology programs, students are taught to ask intimate questions about horrific events, such as sexual or domestic abuse or other traumatic situations. However, delving into spiritual beliefs and self-care is not usually encouraged. Much of her therapy is based on nature and mindfulness as well as self-in-relation theory, which originated at The Stone Center at Wellesley College.

In practice for 25 years, Lamothe owns a "whole toolbox" of therapeutic aids including relaxation techniques, biofeedback, meditation and breathing exercises. Depending on her clients' needs, she will extract the proper technique for the situation. "Clients know what they need. We need to listen to them and ask ourselves what we can offer them," she says. "If we look deep inside, we'll find the real problem."

John Terry, Ph.D., director of the pre-doctoral training in clinical psychology program at UMass Medical Center and Worcester State Hospital, points out that different clinicians come to the practice of spiritual psychology with different types of training, but all have a common thread - each pays attention to spiritual issues. Trained at a pastoral counseling center in Worcester some 20 years ago, he was encouraged to remain open-minded regarding religious and spiritual issues.

Terry currently runs a group session on the inpatient psychiatry unit at UMass Medical Center called Spiritual Concerns. Although some patients express doubts about the group - they fear they might be preached to or engaged in Bible study - they quickly find out that sessions provide a forum for questioning individual spirituality.

During the meetings many patients express confusion about religion and spirituality. "They are not mutually exclusive. The way I see it, religious beliefs or practices might be the way they live out their spirituality, the way they recognize themselves as spiritual beings," says Terry. "They feed their spirituality by going to church, praying, reading the Bible. Others may meditate, walk by the shore, sit under the stars, and think about their higher power."

In Westboro, Terry also conducts regular Bible study sessions with a group of adolescents. Although attendance is not mandatory, participation levels are high, he says. No matter the age, Terry finds a common theme running through every group with which he works. "When individuals are in distress or suffering, they are searching for meaning, perspective on why this is happening to them. Spirituality is a resource to help them look at those questions," he says.

Psychologists incorporate spirituality (April 2004 Issue)

Psychologists incorporate spirituality
(April 2004 Issue)