The role of spiritualiy in psychosocial rehabilitation.

The role of spirituality in mental health and general wellness has begun to receive much needed attention in the psychological literature. Historically, however, mental health researchers and practitioners alike have generally neglected spirituality. There have been at least three significant barriers to the acceptance of spirituality as a clinical tool in mental health treatment. These barriers are identified in the article as (a) the history of mental health treatment; (b) professional stereotypes; and (c) confusion and fears over the meaning of spirituality. Although more empirical evidence is needed to investigate the role of spirituality and how to integrate spiritual beliefs in treatment, the time may have come to incorporate spirituality in the mental health professional's tool kit.