Evidence-Based Psychological Practice with Specific Religious & Non-Religious Populations
Channel: Professor Caleb Lack
Date: 01/10/2019

Dr. Caleb W. Lack (University of Central Oklahoma) moderates this clinical roundtable from the 2017 annual conference of the Association for Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies. A key component of evidence-based psychological practices is that they are not applied in a rigid, dogmatic fashion but instead are tailored to individuals. Such a “flexibility within fidelity” approach allows for the most ethical use of various well-researched therapies within diverse contexts. Recently, greater attention has been paid to the impact of personal religious beliefs and religious traditions on both mental health and therapeutic change. Unfortunately, while graduate training and continuing education often cover issues like race, gender, and socioeconomic status in relationship to clinical practice, they often fail to discuss this important aspect of multicultural competence. Understanding both an individual’s personal religious beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, as well as how those interact with religious-cultural contexts can be critical in deciding how best to “flex” cognitive and behavioral therapies while still adhering to best practices. This clinical roundtable will bring together clinicians and researchers who have expertise in applying CBT to individuals from a variety of religious and non-religious backgrounds to discuss important aspects of treatment with such populations. The panelists will present information on working with atheist, secular, or non-religious clients; Christian clients ranging from fundamentalist Evangelicals to liberal denominations to non-denominational; Islamic populations such as Sunni, Shi’ah, or “just Muslim”; and Jewish clients from across a spectrum of religious observance and identity, from Orthodox to Jewish by heritage. Of particular focus will be how to incorporate religious or non-religious beliefs and ideas into therapy and how to position yourself in working with these groups.

- Harold B. Robb, Ph.D. (private practice, Oregon, USA) with "Spiritual Interventions for All!"

- David H. Rosmarin, Ph.D. (McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA) with "Working with Jewish Populations"

-Michelle Pearce, Ph.D. (University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA) with "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Christians with Depression"

- Shadi Beshai, Ph.D. (University of Regina, Canada) with "CBT with Muslims"

- Caleb Lack, Ph.D. with "Therapy Considerations with the Non-Religious"