Takeaway: For individuals wanting comprehensive treatment, spirituality therapy can be a great way to address your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Many people seeking more holistic healing approaches find spirituality therapy integral to their journey. This approach recognizes the deep connection between spirituality and mental health. It offers individuals of all religious and spiritual beliefs support involving the mind, body, and spirit. If you’re searching for a spirituality therapist in Seattle or Washington State, reach out to Dr. David Zacharias today.

Defining spirituality

At its core, spirituality is a deeply personal and subjective experience. It encompasses a sense of connection to something greater than yourself. It can involve beliefs, practices, values, and experiences that give you meaning and purpose in life. While spirituality is often intertwined with religion, it can also exist independently.

What is spiritual therapy?

Spiritual therapy is a way of healing that looks at your whole self—mind, body, and spirit. It's based on the belief that when your soul heals and grows, it improves how you feel emotionally, mentally, and physically. By connecting with your soul and spiritual beliefs, you can find wisdom and guidance to help you gain insights and heal. This type of therapy helps you deepen your understanding of your experiences and gives you tools to grow.

This treatment is not confined to a single religion or set of spiritual beliefs. Spiritual therapy can be tailored to your specific beliefs and practices and does not force any on you. It’s about deepening your connection, insight, and overall well-being.

The role of spirituality in therapy

In treatment, spirituality can be a powerful tool for self-exploration and healing. For many individuals, it provides a framework for understanding life’s challenges and pain that helps you find meaning in life. Weaving spirituality into therapy can also be a way of instilling hope for trauma survivors.

For those who have endured religious or spiritual abuse, this type of therapy can be beneficial. It can help you rebuild your sense of self-worth, reconcile past experiences with your beliefs, and find healing and empowerment. At Existential Psychiatry, you’ll receive support as you explore your beliefs, process the harm from religious trauma, redefine your relationship with spirituality, and cultivate self-compassion.

Benefits of spiritual counseling?

Treatment outcomes vary by individual, as each person brings their own beliefs and spirituality to sessions. However, spiritual therapy offers many possible benefits including:

• Integration of mind, body, and spirit: Spiritual counseling recognizes the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. It helps you connect with all parts of yourself to promote lasting healing. This therapy addresses your whole person rather than isolated symptoms or challenges.
• Stress reduction: Many spiritual practices used in therapy, such as mindfulness, meditation, and prayer, promote relaxation and reduce stress. This can help foster your sense of peace and ability to cope amidst life's challenges.
• Meaning-making and purpose: Spirituality offers a framework for understanding your experiences and finding meaning in adversity. Through spiritual therapy, you can explore existential questions and your values. You can identify ways to align your life with your values and purpose. You’ll also have the support to create a sense of meaning and direction in your life.
• Decrease in distressing symptoms: Research found that incorporating spiritual and religious interventions can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
• Resilience building: By tapping into your spiritual resources, you can develop greater resilience and coping skills. This therapy helps you draw upon your inner strength, faith, and sense of connection to navigate difficulties.
• Strengthened relationships: Spirituality is often intertwined with themes of love, compassion, and interconnectedness. Spiritual counseling can help you build healthier relationships by fostering empathy, connection, and communication skills.
• Personal transformation: Ultimately, this approach supports your journey of self-discovery and growth.

Common Spiritual Therapy Techniques

There are many spiritual practices that individuals and communities draw on for strength and healing. Speak to your therapist about which aspects of spirituality you want to incorporate into your treatment. Common techniques include but are not limited to:

• Mindfulness
• Meditation
• Prayer
• Somatic practices
• Expressive arts
• Meaning-making exercises
• Examining core values and beliefs
• Guided imagery

Our approach to spiritual therapy

Dr. David Zacharias believes that a person’s spiritual or religious beliefs can be a source of great strength and support. He considers himself to be a lifelong spiritual seeker and has grown to have a deep respect for the variety of meaningful life experiences and perspectives of his patients. He’ll collaborate with you to determine how you want to involve your unique spirituality throughout treatment. Whether you want to find connection, meaning, hope, or healing he’ll join your journey and help guide you.

FAQ: Therapy for Spirituality

What is a spirituality therapist?

A spirituality therapist is a mental health professional who uses spiritual practices and principles in sessions. Therapists may have different licenses, such as medical doctors (MD), psychologists (PhDs or PsyDs), licensed professional counselors (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFT), or licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). Every provider is unique and varies in how they bring spirituality into session. Have an open conversation about what that would look like for your treatment.

How does therapy for spirituality differ from traditional therapy?

Talk therapy typically focuses primarily on addressing psychological symptoms and challenges. Spirituality therapy integrates the spiritual or religious practices and beliefs of the client into treatment. Then uses them to address their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

Can spirituality therapy be beneficial for individuals who are not religious?

Absolutely. Individuals of all faiths and beliefs and those who don't identify as religious can attend spirituality therapy. It focuses on personal exploration and growth rather than following specific religious doctrines. For example, you may explore what is sacred to you and gives you purpose. You might focus on connecting your body, mind, and spirit to gain more awareness and insight.

Looking for a Spirituality Therapist in Seattle?

Whether spirituality is an important part of your life or you want to explore your beliefs and values as you heal, consider spiritual therapy at Existential Psychiatry. Dr. David G. Zacharias brings over 20 years of experience caring for suffering patients to his work as a spirituality therapist in Seattle. He respects and supports clients of all spiritual, religious, and cultural beliefs. He’ll help you examine these aspects of yourself and identify ways to draw strength and wisdom from them. If you’re interested in therapy, please reach out today for a free consultation.

Sources

• Gonçalves, J.P.B., et al. “Religious and Spiritual Interventions in Mental Health Care: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials.” Psychological Medicine, 2015. Accessed April 11, 2024.
• Leung, J., Li, K.-K. “Faith-Based Spiritual Intervention for Persons with Depression: Preliminary Evidence from a Pilot Study.” Healthcare, 2023. Accessed April 11, 2024.