James L. Griffith

Melissa Elliott

How to Talk with People about Their Spiritual Lives

Encountering the Sacred in Psychotherapy

Melissa Elliott Griffith

Drawing on narrative, postmodern, and other therapeutic perspectives, this book guides therapists in exploring the creative and healing possibilities in clients' spiritual and religious experience. Vivid personal accounts and dialogues bring to life the ways spirituality may influence the stories told in therapy, the language and metaphors used, and the meanings brought to key relationships and events. Applications are discussed for a wide variety of clinical situations, including helping people resolve relationship problems, manage psychiatric symptoms, and cope with medical illnesses.

From James L. Griffith, well known for his work on harnessing the healing potential of religion and spirituality, this book helps clinicians to intervene effectively in situations where religion is causing harm. Vivid examples illustrate how religious beliefs and practices may propel suicide, violence, self-neglect, or undue suffering in the face of medical or emotional challenges. Griffith also unravels the links between psychiatric illness and distorted religious experience. He demonstrates empathic, respectful ways to interview patients who disdain contact with mental health professionals, yet whose religious lives put themselves or others at risk. The book incorporates cutting-edge research on the psychology of religion and social neuroscience.

A Guide for Clinical Practice

Religion That Heals, Religion That Harms

Todd M. Edwards

JoEllen Patterson

"Now in a revised and updated third edition, this noted practitioner guide and text incorporates the latest knowledge about psychopharmacology and collaborative care. Therapists and counselors learn when and how to make medication referrals and how to address patients' questions about drug benefits, side effects, safety, and more. Organized around frequently encountered mental health disorders, the book explains how medications work (including what they can and cannot accomplish). Strategies for collaborating successfully with patients, their family members, and prescribers are discussed in detail. Written for optimal practical utility, the text features case examples, sample referral letters, checklists, and a glossary. Subject Areas/Key Words: MSW programs, textbooks, mental health and social work professionals, medication assessments, handbook for nonprescribers, reference book, non-MDs, masters-level classes, psychotherapists, psychiatric drugs, psychotropics, referring clients, referrals Audience: Practitioners, graduate students, and instructors in clinical psychology, social work, counseling, and psychiatric nursing"--

James L. Griffith

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