Spirituality refers to people’s subjective experiences of life and their beliefs in something bigger than themselves. Spirituality is often a way to deal with stress, depression and anxiety, and it may provide hope for a better future.
Spiritual practices can involve prayer, meditation, self-care and contemplation. They can also be connected to nature or to a higher power, such as God or the universe. People may identify with a specific religion or they may not. Spirituality is different from religion in that it is broader and allows individuals to express themselves with their own unique beliefs.
Researchers have found that people’s spirituality is a protective factor against depression, it decreases the risk of substance use, and it promotes a healthy lifestyle. Many mental health professionals are familiar with the importance of incorporating spirituality into treatment plans for their patients. But there are some pitfalls that a therapist should be aware of, such as the tendency for some to utilize spiritual ideals as a way to avoid or sidestep emotional and psychological challenges. Other pitfalls of spirituality include the use of religious beliefs as a justification to be judgmental or to be uncritical of others, and an individual’s desire to be interconnected in a one-way sacrifice that destroys a lot of valuable beings. Cox (2003) describes these pitfalls using the example of a 37-year old Aboriginal client who sought treatment for a serious psychotic reaction and suicide attempt. He had been experiencing spiritually enriching visions, and he practiced common aboriginal traditions.