‘[Psychologist A]…was amazing and he was respectful, whereas [Psychologist B], I guess, went the extra step. She would work with [my Christian faith]. So, she didn’t just…respect it as a part of me, she…could see that it was a central part of who I was, and then she would really try to work with it…Maybe it was just like, “Well what would God tell you? Or what does your faith say?” Or she would bring it back and ask questions. She is not a Christian herself, but she was open – open to working with it.’
The importance of religion and spirituality in health and illness is increasingly recognised.¹⁻² Professional organisations such as the World Psychiatric Association and The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists encourage mental healthcare providers to consider their patients’ religious and spiritual contexts.³⁻⁴ They also recognise the ethical considerations that arise and provide relevant guidance.
