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Abstract

The qualitative research study used narrative inquiry to explore psychological therapists’ understanding of spirituality within the context of their clinical practice, and how their understanding reflects their spiritual sentiments, purposes, valuations and judgments. Narrative interviews were conducted with six individuals, and analysed using the categorical content approach of narrative analysis. The narrative text revealed three broad categories with several subcategories, used descriptively to formulate a picture of the psychological practitioners’ stories. The first broad category is ‘identifying a meaning’, its subcategories includes definitions of spirituality, personal and social, and distinctions between spirituality and religion. The second broad category is ‘well-being’, its subcategories includes coping in the face of adversity, and sense of purpose and meaning. Finally, the third broad category is ‘applications to practice’; its subcategories include self-awareness, and therapeutic alliance. Applications to counselling psychology and implications for research were considered.

Publication Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Departments:	School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Psychology Doctoral Theses School of Health & Psychological Sciences > School of Health & Psychological Sciences Doctoral Theses

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