Working with Spiritual Struggles in Psychotherapy

“Pargament and Exline—two psychology of religion luminaries—provide new insights into people’s fork-in-the-road spiritual struggles. This book interweaves compelling cases, stimulating concepts, and scientific evidence. It enables professionals to reflect on their own and others' spirituality, and on how to offer guidance in dark times. A first-rate work that marries scholarship with clinical and pastoral application.”

—David G. Myers, PhD, Department of Psychology, Hope College


“Spiritual struggles can affect clients in numerous ways and on many levels, yet most clinicians are not trained to detect them, let alone assess them or make them a focus in treatment. Pargament and Exline provide a wealth of information, guidance, and case examples—and they do so with great compassion. The authors widen our clinical lens and open our eyes to an often-neglected life domain. Clinicians of all orientations and levels of experience will benefit from raising their awareness about how to incorporate spiritual struggles into comprehensive case formulations and treatment plans. A truly valuable contribution!”

—Joan Davidson, PhD, Co-Director and Founding Partner, San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy; Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, Berkeley


“Rarely does a book come along that informs clinicians about practical interventions, synthesizes and advances an entire field of basic and clinical research, and moves readers emotionally. Pargament and Exline have created a modern classic that you'll want to read cover to cover.”

—Everett L. Worthington, Jr., PhD, Emeritus Commonwealth Professor, Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University


“This book, by two masters in the field of psychology of religion, draws together many years’ research and reflection on the relationship between spirituality and well-being. With its strong empirical base, well-developed conceptual framework, and sure-footed practical approach, it will be invaluable to spiritual directors, pastoral counselors, and mental health professionals wishing to extend their understanding of spirituality in the lives of their clients.”

—Joanna Collicutt, PhD, University of Oxford, United Kingdom