Religious issues in counselling: are Australian psychologists 'dragging the chain'?

Abstract

While American psychologists have been making significant contributions regarding the best ways to deal with religious issues in counselling, Australian psychologists have generally been less active in stimulating debate, conducting research, and making clinical applications in this area. In this paper, it is argued that consideration of religious issues is an important aspect of therapy. In framing this discussion, consideration is given to boundaries and the task and role of the therapist. Suggestions are given for understanding value conflicts, implementing religion-accommodative techniques, networking with colleagues in the religious community, and training psychologists to sensitively deal with religious issues in therapy.