Orthodox Christian Values Related to Psychotherapy and Mental Health

Abstract

The role of values in psychotherapy has received increasing attention in recent years. Previous research suggests that the values of orthodox Christian individuals influence their selection of a psychotherapist, and may exert a significant impact on the outcome of psychotherapy. In the present study, a values survey was administered to orthodox Christian and non-orthodox Christian and non-Christian undergraduates in order to measure beliefs and values related to psychotherapy and mental health. Orthodox Christians were found to have a rather distinctive set of values related to methods of coping with emotional distress, and to the goals and procedures of psychotherapy. These values focused on the therapeutic importance of religious faith, prayer and meditation, biblical teaching, and counseling within a Christian framework. The implications of the findings are discussed with reference to the client-therapist working alliance and utilization of specific strategies in psychotherapy.