Abstract
The dialogue about gospel-centered psychotherapy in the Latter-day Saint mental health community began approximately 50 years ago. In this article we briefly summarize and discuss some of the significant events, issues, and accomplishments in this dialogue and effort. We offer definitions of gospel-centered psychotherapy and gospel-based psychotherapy. We concur with others that there is not "one true" gospel-centered psychotherapy, theory, or approach, but we suggest that gospel-centered psychotherapists have developed many different forms of gospel-centered treatment over the years. We argue that gospel-centered approaches to psychotherapy do share some common characteristics, including the therapist's moral character and spiritual preparation, the spiritual doctrines and moral values that inform the concepts and methods of treatment, and a belief that it is God and Jesus Christ who ultimately do the healing. We conclude by offering recommendations for future training and education, research, and dialogue about gospel-centered psychotherapies.
Recommended Citation
Richards, P. Scott and Hansen, Kristin L.
(2012)
"Gospel-Centered Psychotherapy: What It Is and Why It Matters,"
Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy: Vol. 34:
No.
1, Article 7.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/irp/vol34/iss1/7