Faith and religion even helps some
people going during rough times in their lives. Spiritual Psychology is a blend
of spirituality and science. It uses elements of both traditional psychology
and spirituality in order to help individuals feel better and more content with
their lives.
Professionals in the field of spiritual
psychology understand that the body, mind, and the spirit all work together,
therefore, they must be studied together. In a way, spiritual psychology
focuses on repairing fractured souls or replacing missing pieces of the soul. Spiritual psychology has been around in
some form for centuries.
Spiritual psychologists infuse
spirituality into their research and/ or clinical practice. Spirituality can be
mildly controversial in a scientific field, but universities and professional
organizations have stepped forward as guides. By perusing Psychology of
Religion and Spirituality, one can see the latest research: everything from
reducing burnout in Catholic clergy members to examining the relationship
between spirituality and subjective measures of well-being
Why Do We Need Spiritual Psychology?
Spiritual
psychology and spiritual counseling enables patients to better understand their
own beliefs and work through that confusion. Spiritual psychologists can help
individuals by allowing them to explore their spiritual side and work toward
repairing any shattered pieces of their souls. Aspiring
spiritual psychologists should have an education that is a mixture of
traditional psychology and spirituality, or religion.
A spiritual psychology career
typically starts with a bachelor's degree in general psychology. This
usually involves taking a number of psychology courses, including courses in
developmental psychology, transpersonal psychology, clinical psychology,
creative consciousness, and counseling psychology. Students interested in a
spiritual psychology careers should also take classes in theology and religion,
particularly eastern religions.
The majority of spiritual
psychologists also hold advanced degrees, such as master's degrees and doctorates.
If possible, an advanced degree specifically in spiritual psychology is best. Advanced
degrees in counseling psychology with a concentration in spirituality are also
sufficient.
What Does a Spiritual Psychologist
Do?
The main duty of a spiritual
psychologist is to counsel people and help them to achieve spiritual wellbeing as
well as mental and emotional wellbeing.
Many of the patients who seek help
from a spiritual psychologist are going through spiritual crises. A spiritual
psychologist can help his patients explore their spiritual paths in life.
A spiritual psychologist will also
usually guide his patients with such things as meditation and altered states of
consciousness. Guided visualization is another popular technique used by
spiritual psychologists. In many ways, spiritual psychologists are also similar
to counseling psychologists. These professionals listen to their patients'
problems and help them work through them. See also: transpersonal
psychologists.
Spiritual Psychologist Education and
Training
A student who is interested in
incorporating spirituality in his or her clinical practice will not necessarily
enroll in a program that is labeled "spiritual psychology". It is
sufficient to pick a program where some of the faculty have spirituality as an
area of interest.
Division 36 has compiled a list of
graduate programs that include some focus on spirituality and religion. A
prospective student can see which faculty members are interested in spiritual
research or clinical training and where their interests lie (for example,
clergy-psychology collaboration or integrating spirituality into
community-based intervention and recovery).
Where Do Spiritual Psychologists
Work?
Spiritual psychologists can often
secure employment in a number of different places, such as churches, mental
health facilities, and rehabilitation clinics. Spiritual psychologists can also
choose to open their own practices. They might operate as spiritual psychologists
or similar professionals, such as life coaches or personal growth counselors.
What is the Median Salary for
Spiritual Psychologists?
In 2009, the median salary for
counselors was $44,400.
References
http://www.psychologist-license.com/types-of-psychologists/spiritual-psychologist.html#context/api/listings/prefilter
http://www.apadivisions.org/division-36/publications/journals/index.aspx
http://careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-spiritual-psychologist/
0 comments:
Post a Comment