Karen B. Helmeke

Couple therapy and spirituality and religion state of the art

Abstract The current state of the art of the integration of couple therapy with spirituality and religion is presented. Each of three waves of this integration identified in this article have seen an increase in the literature in this area, although only a limited amount in each wave has addressed couple therapy specifically. In the first wave, from 1990–1994, articles set forth arguments for why spirituality should be integrated in therapy. During the second wave, 1995–1999, publications focused on the ways that including spirituality in therapy can enhance as well as harm the therapeutic process. In the third wave, 2000-present, attention has shifted away from whether to include spirituality to how it should be included, and the literature of this period features many practical interventions and suggested guidelines for integrating spirituality and religion into therapy and training. The article concludes with recommendations for further developing the integration of spirituality and religion into couple therapy models, research, and training.

Spiritual Coping: A Gateway to Enhancing Family Communication During Cancer Treatment

The researchers examined the spiritual coping, family communication, and family functioning of 95 participants in 34 families by an online survey. Multilevel linear regression was used to test whether individuals’ and families’ higher endorsement of more use of spiritual coping strategies to deal with a member’s cancer would be associated with higher scores on family communication and family functioning, and whether better communication would also be associated with higher family functioning scores. Results revealed that spiritual coping was positively associated with family communication, and family communication was positively associated with healthier family functioning. The researchers provide suggestions for further research.

Mentorship in Family Therapy Training Programs: Students’ and New Graduates’ Perspectives

ABSTRACT Using an online survey, researchers examined strengths and challenges of professional mentoring as viewed by new family therapists. The sample was mostly Caucasian, female, and trained in master’s programs within the United States (U.S.). Mentorships were most often informally arranged, and mentors were most likely clinicians internal to the program. Students in doctoral programs were most likely to be mentored. Mentors and mentees were generally unmatched by gender, but were likely to be matched by ethnic identity and sexual orientation. Several suggestions are made for future research on the quality, types, and roles of mentorship within the profession of family therapy.