Spirituality, secularity and religion in psychiatric practice: Commentary on... Spirituality and religion in psychiatric practice

Cook, C.C.H.

Abstract

Spirituality and religion, in our secular age, are subject to what Charles Taylor calls ‘closed world structures’ which make disbelief in transcendence appear incontrovertible when in fact, rationally speaking, it is not. It is arguably an effect of these closed world structures on psychiatric practice that excludes from the clinical consultation spiritual matters which patients themselves wish to discuss with their psychiatrist. In fact, the evidence base suggests that spirituality and religion should be routinely assessed in psychiatric practice and that the possible beneficial influence on outcome of spiritual practices and faith communities should be considered when formulating treatment plans.

Citation

Cook, C. (2010). Spirituality, secularity and religion in psychiatric practice: Commentary on... Spirituality and religion in psychiatric practice. The psychiatrist, 34(5), 193-195. https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.109.029108

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: May 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: May 16, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 22, 2011
• Journal: Psychiatrist
• Print ISSN: 1758-3209
• Electronic ISSN: 1758-3217
• Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 193-195
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1192/pb.bp.109.029108