Cognitive Behavioral Therapies in the Clinical Management of Religious and Spiritual Struggles

a systematic review

Abstract

A large portion of patients want to talk about their religiosity and/or spirituality (R/S). However, historically TCCs have remained distant from R/E aspects. The study aimed to investigate how CBTs address R/E struggles. The search for publications took place in the PsycINFO, EMBASE, Scopus and Pubmed databases, and the recommendations of the Declaration Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses were used for this review. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, six publications were retrieved and analyzed. Studies indicate the need to adapt interventions to manage R/S problems, depending on the patient's beliefs and culture. Changes in the therapeutic relationship and choice of techniques are possible. It is concluded that CBTs seem to fit R/S demands, as long as they are properly studied and addressed by psychotherapists.