Now, we both know that the study of human behavior is not an exact science. Much of what we as therapists do cannot be quantified. You also seem to categorize religion as universally repressive ("religiously inspired narrow convictions"). I can understand your reservations about religious oppression in light of this era of the "Christian Cohalition," Kansas' confusion with science and religion, and the overall tone of conservativism in this country. Some of the current trends make me a bit squeamish also. BUT.....I personally do not see religion or the talk of it in psychotherapy as necessarily constricting or imposing external sexual values on the client. It can be liberating. I had one client in who was struggling with her relationship, because she felt guilty about her faith not being enough, and that she shouldn't "worship" this individual so much. WHile she didn't literally mean "worship," the relationship seemed to shake her belief that her faith should be all the assurance she needed in life. Using her frame of reference, we explored how the Creator made people to live and work together, and that we were here for a purpose, not to just keep our eyes on the heavens, but to live. All I did was help her to her own conclusion, and she absolutely lit up. Religion is an integral part of many of our clients' mindsets. It has a great deal to do with many people's mental health. If you have a client that belongs to a traditional Native American culture, you better believe that every aspect of that individual is influenced by their belief system. If you have a fundamentalist Christian client, you'd do well to work with them in their frame of reference too. If you're hung up on the term "spiritual growth" than you should be equally bothered by Maslow's "self-actualization" which is equally fuzzy in terms of definition. I doubt if there are any tests out there to measure self-actualization.
I don't know what your religious beliefs are, or if you are atheist, but if you are uncomfortable when one of your clients wants to bring up religious concerns, then you should explain your difficulties to the client and refer them.
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