Spiritually augmented cognitive behavioural therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe spiritually augmented cognitive behaviour therapy (SACBT) and its applications.


METHODS
The background for the need to incorporate spirituality into therapy is considered, and SACBT as a therapy for sustaining mental health and functional recovery is described. Cognitive and behavioural components are considered, including the use of existential techniques in discovering meaning. The use of meditation and the validation and incorporation of the appropriate belief system of patients into their treatment are described.


RESULTS
Controlled studies have demonstrated 16-session SACBT to be beneficial in extinguishing hopelessness and despair, improving treatment collaboration, reducing relapse rates and enhancing functional recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
SACBT can aid therapists in providing "whole person" care and achieving better global outcomes for patients with psychological illness.
D'Souza
Russell F
RF
Koonung Community Mental Health Centre, Level 1/43 Carrington Road, Box Hill, Victoria 3128, Australia. rdsouza1@bigpond.net.au
Rodrigo
Angelo
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002410:Catholicism; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D029221:Faith Healing; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D019122:Meditation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D029181:Spirituality