Sub plenary: Including Spirituality in Family Therapy. Possibilities in a new age?

ABSTRACT

There is a great interest in spirituality in our society. People are searching for balance and harmony, for something greater than themselves. Spirituality is also a theme that relates to a person’s ethics and values, their soul, and their relationship to God and other people. Humans ask existential questions, and have a need for meaning in their life. Every person is spiritual, it`s part of humankind’s holistic view and a person’s culture. Traditionally, family therapists have shown little interest in these questions in spite of the fact that spirituality is woven into so many aspects of family life, and plays a central part in the formation of individuals, families and society. Spirituality and family therapy is a new area of research in Europe.

There are many definitions of spirituality, and the term is related to history, context and culture. There are varying interpretations of the differences between religion and spirituality, but in this context both a secular and a religious spirituality will be encompassed.

In this sub plenary presentation I would like to present some results from my on going PhD. Project in Norway. The title is:

                What does spirituality mean for family therapeutic practice?

 The research questions of the study are:

1. What are the family therapists and clients understanding of spirituality?
2. What thoughts and experiences have therapists and clients about spirituality in family therapy?
3. How can spirituality be integrated in family therapy?
4. What kind of competence has family therapists concerning spirituality in therapy?
5. How do family therapists experience that “the culture of therapy” meet with this theme?

This is an empirical and qualitative study, and Constructivist Grounded Theory is used as a research- and analysis method. Therapists and clients are interviewed.