working with spirituality in family systemic practice: including clients’ spiritual life in therapeutic work

Spirituality has offered people across cultures and continents a source of comfort and meaning for millennia and is closely connected to the human body through our emotions, our behaviour and our relationships. The concept today is considered broader than religion and can encompass our innate need for love, hope, values and direction in life. While spiritual belief can foster recovery and resilience in times of crisis, spiritual distress can also contribute to physical, emotional and relational problems. Despite its relevance, most family therapists are not trained to incorporate spiritual and religions issues in therapy. Based on the author’s extensive research on this topic, this book offers an overview of current theory as well as practical elements designed to help practitioners develop their spiritual literacy in their work with clients.

Åse Holmberg is Associate Professor in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice at VID Specialised University, Oslo. She completed her PhD on family therapy and spirituality in 2018 and has developed a course on this topic. She has been practising as a family therapist for over twenty years.

Per Jensen is Professor Emeritus in Family Therapy and Systemic Practice at VID Specialised University, Oslo. He gained his doctorate from the Tavistock Centre in London and is a member of the Taos Institute in Ohio, USA.