Integrating religion and spirituality with psychotherapy in a religiously diverse nation—A mixed methods study on client attitudes and experiences in Singapore
<b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to investigate clients' perspectives on the integration of religion/spirituality (R/S) with psychotherapy in Singapore, a religiously diverse nation. It was hypothesized that clients would report R/S integration to have a positive impact (H1), initiate R/S discussions (H2), and their R/S and perception of the religious context would be associated with their attitudes towards R/S integrated psychotherapy (H3). A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. <b>Methods:</b> Participants were 275 Singapore psychotherapy clients (52.3% male, 46.9% female, 8% non-binary/third gender). Mean age was 34.93 years (<i>SD</i> = 9.95). Participants completed a questionnaire comprised of demographical items, psychotherapy experiences, various R/S-related measures and qualitative questions on considerations and opinions on R/S integrated psychotherapy. <b>Results:</b> Clients reported that R/S integrated psychotherapy (RSIP) had a positive impact and that they were the main initiator. Considering R/S as supportive during adversity and perceptions of the religious context were associated with attitudes towards integration. Unexpectedly, R/S diversity appeared to have a facilitatory effect on RSIP. Qualitative findings revealed client's experiences and perspectives, including their expectations towards therapists. <b>Conclusions:</b> These findings highlight the importance of therapists' R/S competency. In R/S diverse contexts, therapists may require greater sensitivity, openness, and the ability to work with clients holding diverse R/S beliefs.
Authors
- Joanna Barlas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6087-7830)
- Jonathan E. Ramsay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4634-9040)
- Xiangbin Lin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0487-0234)
Institutions
- James Cook University (AU)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Psychotherapy Research
- Published
- 2025-04-09
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2025.2487061
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.17
Funders
- James Cook University