title: Understanding group therapists' use of spiritual and religious interventions in group therapy.
abstract: The current study examined therapist characteristics that are related to the use of spiritual and religious interventions in group therapy and to perceived barriers to attending to spirituality in group therapy among a sample of experienced group therapists. Results demonstrated that greater therapist spirituality was associated with more frequent use of both spiritual and religious interventions, as well as lower perceived barriers to attending to spirituality in group therapy. Religious commitment was only uniquely related to perceived barriers, such that therapists with higher religious commitment actually perceived greater barriers. Training in religion and spirituality and comfort with spiritual discussions was also related to therapists' use of religious and spiritual interventions and perceived barriers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Lagomarcino W112 Ames, IA 50011, USA. mcornish@iastate.edu
authors.forename: Marilyn A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cornish
authors.forename: Nathaniel G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Melissa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003144:Communication Barriers; D006801:Humans; D013811:Psychotherapeutic Processes; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D029181:Spirituality