Psychotherapeutic Theories for Spiritual Care and Counselling

This course is an overview of the essential models of psychotherapy covering psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, family systems, constructivist, somatic and spiritually-integrated forms of therapy. CRPO's therapeutic categories will be used to illustrate the waves of psychotherapy. The techniques and skills associated with the various psychotherapeutic theories will be explored while also sensitively and responsibly relating theory to the practice of spiritual care. The overview provides a foundation for students to go on to study specific psychotherapeutic models in more depth and integrate concepts into their practice through a supervised learning process. Knowledge of psychotherapeutic theories will also assist helping professionals to know when the client's needs are outside of their scope of practice and to make appropriate referrals. The course contributes to a knowledge base for clinical practtce, supports the competendes for the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC) and College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO). and will benefit students of theology who wish to augment their spiritual care skills.