Prayer and psychotherapy are two distinct yet complementary practices that can significantly enhance mental well-being. While psychotherapy employs evidence-based techniques to address emotional and psychological issues, prayer offers a spiritual dimension that many find comforting and grounding.
Prayer can serve as a source of hope, providing individuals with a sense of connection to something greater than themselves, which can be particularly beneficial during times of distress. In psychotherapy, clients often explore their beliefs and values, which can lead to a deeper understanding of their lives and the challenges they face. Integrating prayer into this process allows for a holistic approach, emphasizing both the mental and spiritual aspects of healing.
Numerous studies suggest that individuals who engage in prayer experience reduced anxiety and depression, demonstrating its potential as a supplementary tool in therapeutic settings. Ultimately, combining prayer with psychotherapy fosters a comprehensive healing experience, empowering individuals to navigate their emotions while nurturing their spiritual lives, leading to overall improved mental health.
In this training you will learn the ethical considerations regarding introducing and integrating prayer into psychotherapy. In addition, we will explore various types of prayer traditions, as well as how clients might create their own prayers. This will be an experiential training, so please have a notebook or journal on hand.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Describe the clinical benefits of prayer.
- Explain how prayer can ethically be integrated into psychotherapy.
- Use prayer in various clinical contexts.
- Design personal and meaningful prayers with clients.
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective 1: Describe the clinical benefits of prayer.
- History of research
- Types of research
- Result results
Objective 2: Explain how prayer can ethically be integrated into psychotherapy.
- Ethical considerations
- How to introduce prayer
- The importance of initial spiritual/religious intake
Objective 3: Utilize prayer in various clinical contexts.
- Contraindications
- Different purposes of prayer
- Clinical considerations
Objective 4: Design personal and meaningful prayers with clients.
- Comparison of prayer formats
- The ingredients of prayers
- In-office vs at home
Summary/Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 2 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 2 hours of Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: January 29, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 2hrs Ethics continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com