Monday, May
12, 2008: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Professor of Clinical Psychology at Bowling Green State University; Adjunct Professor of Psychology in the Counseling Psychology and Religion Ph.D. program at Boston University
This presentation provides an overview of the rapidly growing body of research on spirituality and health. This research is yielding a rich, multi-dimensional view of spirituality as a process that holds both positive and negative implications for health and well-being. The presentation concludes with a discussion of promising efforts to integrate the spiritual dimension more fully into clinical practice.
At the completion of this talk, participants will be able to:
1. Provide a definition of spirituality.
2. Articulate some of the ways spirituality can foster and impede health and well-being.
3. Describe a few promising efforts to integrate spirituality into clinical practice.
Kenneth Pargament, Ph.D., is professor of clinical psychology at Bowling Green State University. Dr. Pargament has been a leading figure in the effort to bring a more balanced view of religious life to the attention of social scientists and health professionals. Dr. Pargament has published extensively on the vital role of religion in coping with stress and trauma. He is author of The Psychology of Religion and Coping: Theory, Research, Practice and co-editor of Forgiveness: Theory, Research, Practice. He is also author of the recently published book, Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy: Understanding and Addressing the Sacred. Dr. Pargament has consulted with several foundations, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization. His awards include the William James Award for excellence in research in the psychology of religion from Division 36 of APA, the Virginia Staudt Sexton Mentoring Award from APA for guiding and encouraging others in the field, and two exemplary paper awards from the John Templeton Foundation.
PHILADELPHIA BEHAVIOR THERAPY ASSOCIATION