Spiritual Competence and Spiritual Crises

Abstract

New research has been appearing on Spiritual Competency in mainstream peer reviewed journals. This work recognizes spirituality as a resource for wellness and recovery and the value of spiritually oriented interventions such as mindfulness practices, along with recognition of the importance of distinguishing psychopathology from potentially spiritually transformative experiences. Embedding the recognition of STEs within a broader context of cultural sensitivity and spiritual competency has the potential to expand awareness of the need to provide more spiritually-inclusive care across the spectrum to clients. How can therapists be prepared to develop a more compassionate and skillful place within themselves to provide spiritually competent care?

Presenter Bio

Dr. David Lukoff is a Professor of Psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, co-president of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, and a licensed psychologist in California. He is author of 80 articles and chapters on spiritual issues and mental health, co-author of the DSM-IV category Religious or Spiritual Problem, and an active workshop presenter internationally providing training for psychologists in spiritual competency, loss and grief, death and illness, spiritual problems and emergencies.