Presentation Information
[SY-16-03]Integrating Religion and Spirituality to Culturally Adapt Psychotherapies – A Singapore Experience
*David Choon Liang Teo (Connections MindHealth, Novena Medical Centre(Singapore))
Keywords:
Spirituality,Religion,Culture,Psychiatry,Psychotherapy
Spirituality and religion profoundly influence personal identity, coping mechanisms, and attitudes toward mental health across diverse cultures. Integrating these dimensions into psychotherapy can enhance cultural relevance and therapeutic effectiveness, as seen in multicultural societies like Singapore
This presentation explores incorporating spiritual inquiry into therapy, examining how religious beliefs shape experiences of distress, resilience, and healing. Practical techniques include exploring faith-based coping, meaning-making narratives, and collaborating with spiritual leaders to foster support and understanding.
Balancing respect for diverse beliefs with core psychotherapeutic principles is essential. Therapists must approach these conversations with cultural humility, recognizing spirituality as a resource for healing. This culturally attuned framework strengthens the therapeutic alliance and empowers patients to integrate their spiritual identity into recovery.
By embracing spirituality and religion as meaningful facets of human experience, psychotherapy becomes more inclusive, resonant, and impactful in Singapore’s diverse cultural landscape.
This presentation explores incorporating spiritual inquiry into therapy, examining how religious beliefs shape experiences of distress, resilience, and healing. Practical techniques include exploring faith-based coping, meaning-making narratives, and collaborating with spiritual leaders to foster support and understanding.
Balancing respect for diverse beliefs with core psychotherapeutic principles is essential. Therapists must approach these conversations with cultural humility, recognizing spirituality as a resource for healing. This culturally attuned framework strengthens the therapeutic alliance and empowers patients to integrate their spiritual identity into recovery.
By embracing spirituality and religion as meaningful facets of human experience, psychotherapy becomes more inclusive, resonant, and impactful in Singapore’s diverse cultural landscape.