“We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.” — Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, French philosopher
When we face struggles in life, we want to access every possible resource to support our healing — all hands on deck. Incorporating spirituality into therapy, rather than treating it as an afterthought, can be profoundly beneficial.
What Is “Spirituality” in Therapy?
Spirituality can be understood in many ways, but at its core, it encompasses our sense of meaning, purpose, joy, and connection — to ourselves, others, nature, or the Divine. For some, spirituality is tied to religion, while for others, it exists outside of religious frameworks.
Spiritually integrative counselling therapy is an evidence-based modality. In the academic literature, it can go by several labels– psycho-spiritual integrative therapy, spiritually-informed therapy, spiritually-integrated psychotherapy, and some research overlaps with spiritual care.
Examples of Counselling Needs With a Spiritual Dimension
- Need for life balance
- Need for connection
- Need for values acknowledgement
- Need to maintain control
- Need to maintain identity
- Need for hope
We are inherently interconnected beings. No one exists in isolation, and within us, our physical, cognitive, and emotional experiences are deeply intertwined. These dimensions are also influenced by our spiritual beliefs, practices, and outlook on healing. Because struggles are often complex and multi-layered, a holistic assessment that includes spirituality can offer a richer understanding of our challenges — and reveal more pathways forward.
Despite the potential for healing, spiritual resources often go untapped in mental health care. The more tools we can access, the greater our capacity for resilience and growth.
What Does Spiritually Integrative Counselling Therapy Look Like?
Incorporating spirituality into therapy will be different for each individual. It is not about a therapist imposing their beliefs — it’s a collaborative, client-centered exploration of your unique needs, values, and resources. This process is non-judgmental, exploratory, and can even be creative and fun!
Potential Benefits of Spiritually Integrative Counselling
- Bring your full self to the therapeutic relationship
- Identify and activate spiritual strengths and resources
- Increase awareness of meaning-making patterns that might contribute to suffering
- Explore potential overlap between religious struggle and mental health concerns
- Use spiritual practices and rituals to aid trauma processing, grief support, and coping strategies
When we honor the spiritual dimension of our lives, we open the door to deeper self-discovery, connection, and healing. Whether your spirituality is rooted in religion or personal experience, integrating it into therapy can be a powerful way to foster well-being and growth.
Curious? Book a free consult call to learn more.
