Psychotherapy with Rural Religious Fundamentalist Clients
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-1-2010
Department
Psychology
Abstract
Successful psychotherapy with rural fundamentalist Christians requires psychologists to understand the clients' culture and world-view. They often rely heavily on religious authorities, interpret Scriptures literally, adhere to strict moral codes of behavior, and believe that they should evangelize those around them. Common therapeutic challenges include: spiritualizing problems, relational conflicts related to gender role expectations, addiction problems, and the religious agendas of family and clergy. We recommend that psychotherapists evaluate their own attitudes, collaborate with community gatekeepers, sensitively address clients' rigid beliefs, address religious differences, and take a holistic approach to treatment. A case example illustrates this approach. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 66:513-523, 2010.
Publication Title
Journal of Clinical Psychology
Volume
66
Issue
5
First Page
513
Last Page
523
Recommended Citation
Aten, J. D.,
Mangis, M. W.,
Campbell, C.
(2010). Psychotherapy with Rural Religious Fundamentalist Clients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(5), 513-523.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/790