Mr. Mcminn et Bw. Mcray, SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES AND THE PRACTICE OF INTEGRATION - POSSIBILITIESAND CHALLENGES FOR CHRISTIAN PSYCHOLOGISTS, Journal of psychology and theology, 25(1), 1997, pp. 102-110
Spiritual practices have received less attention than psychological ch
ange techniques in the contemporary integration of psychology and Chri
stianity, yet a Christian understanding of health has implications for
the personal and professional use of spiritual disciplines as mechani
sms for growth. We consider the practical nature of the spiritual disc
iplines in promoting change as well as possibilities and challenges in
troduced by using spiritual disciplines both outside and inside the co
nsulting office. Used outside the consulting office, spiritual discipl
ines may affect the professional life of the Christian therapist by de
epening his or her knowledge of God, promoting a posture of humble sel
f-awareness, and providing a refuge for the stresses of psychological
work. Used inside the consulting office, the spiritual disciplines may
prove helpful with some clients, but introduce significant challenges
and potential problems that warrant careful consideration.