Helpful and unhelpful factors associated with secular psychotherapy amongst Christians: a story-stem study

This qualitative study utilized the novel story completion method to assess perceptions toward receiving “secular” psychotherapy among 27 Christians. An inductive thematic analysis revealed that secular psychotherapy was generally viewed as positive by affording emotional containment, coping skills, and meaning-making but less helpful when a client's religious beliefs were pathologized or minimized. The findings highlight growing acceptance of psychotherapy among Christians, emphasizing the need for practitioners to respect clients’ religious worldviews. This research is relevant for professionals working with religious clients and clinical training programs aiming to address religion and spirituality in culturally and religiously syntonic forms.