Religiosidade/Espiritualidade (R/E) na prática clínica psicológica: Experiências de psicoterapeutas

Abstract

Brazil has a religious/spiritual context permeated by many mystical beliefs and experiences, influencing a variety of social representations present in the population. It is not uncommon, within this universe of influences, that the dimension of religiosity/spirituality (R/E) appears in the psychotherapeutic context. However, it is not a frequent theme in Psychology training, being often apprehended as taboo. At present, many scientific evidence points to a positive relationship between R/E and physical and mental health, which arouses interest in the knowledge and skills that psychologists must develop to address the issue. In an attempt to understand and compose the R/E studies, this dissertation had the general objective to understand how R/E related issues are presented in the clinical context of Psychology professionals and the way in which such psychotherapists perceive, consider and/or incorporate such aspects into their practices. Two studies were carried out. The objective of Study 1 was to know the professional reality of psychotherapists regarding their clinical experiences and the R/E dimension. Study 2 aimed to know how psychotherapists experience R/E in their lives, as well as in the work in Clinical Psychology. Both studies were exploratory, qualitative, cross-sectional studies. Twenty-four psychotherapists, with an average practice time of 10.54 years, predominantly female (n = 18), were studied in two medium-sized cities, one in the countryside of the State of São Paulo and another in the countryside of the State of Minas Gerais. The semistructured and audiorecorded interview was the instrument used of data collection. All the interviews were transcribed in full, analyzed according to the thematic content analysis and interpreted by the literature that involves R/E in its interface with psychotherapy. In Study 1 we observed the importance of R/E for all psychotherapists, although it has not been adequately addressed in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The exploration of R/E was based on the demands of the clients, presenting itself as an important resource for intervention, sometimes hindering the development of many conditions. The recent proposals of the Councils of Psychology regarding R/E are unknown by professionals, which suggests the need for greater dialogue between them. Study 2 allowed us to identify that psychotherapists, in their majority, have religious and spiritual beliefs and experiences that permeate the psychotherapeutic relationship, being interested in including these themes, although with personal difficulties to do so. In both studies, the absence of the theme in Psychology training was highlighted as a reality, which possibly reflects on the professional and personal difficulties related to the subject, this makes it difficult to adopt an integrative practice. It is believed that the perspectives presented by these professionals can contribute to the studies involving the subject, in order to rethink the importance of the discussion of the subject in the formation and the professional condition, as well as to understand the condition of the subjects (patients and psychologists), both the actors involved in this relationship, permeated by a subjectivity that also includes explicit or implicit representations about R/E.