How Clinical Psychology of Religion Can Support Mental Health: An Ecological–Existential View, Illustrated by the Case of Shame

Abstract

This article argues how the clinical psychology of religion can support mental health and mental health care. The starting point is an ecological–existential approach to mental health, that stresses the interactions between person and environment, with an emphasis on the existential dimension of interactions. This approach will be related to religion and spirituality (R/S) and the study of R/S and mental health. To show the added value of an ecological–existential approach, the emotion of shame will be discussed as an illustrative case. Finally, implications for clinical psychology of religion and mental health care will be outlined and a clinical case report will be presented.