Abstract
Although hope is a valued construct in psychotherapy, it tends to be viewed as adjunct to more focal interventions or as leverage for other valued goals. We contend that hope needs to be a targeted intervention in many cases. We will highlight issues arising in the acquisition of therapeutic hope. We acknowledge hope's dual nature as both a "gift" from God as well as an attribute that can be cultivated. Our main objectives are to define hope, confirm its essential role in well-being, recognize various hope mechanisms, introduce relevant theory, briefly highlight hope attainment issues, promote a variety of hope interventions, and list some helpful assessments and resources that can aid in nuturing the seeds of hope and optimism. Evidence will be reviewed for the role of hope and optimism in relation to physical and mental health, life success and satisfaction, and resilience during adversity. We advocate for the central role of hope in God's plan for his children as well as fundamental to effective psychotherapy.
Recommended Citation
Worthen, Vaughn and Isakson, Richard
(2010)
"Hope-The Anchor of the Soul: Cultivating Hope and Positive Expectancy,"
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy: Vol. 33:
No.
1, Article 9.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/irp/vol33/iss1/9