When need is greatest, help may be closest: Significance of the spiritual dimension in therapy mediated by interviewees

Abstract

In critical situations, the need for change is urgent. The focus in this article is on such situations, because then the inclusion of the spiritual dimension may be particularly significant. Examples from a central explorative study are included to mediate the importance of the spiritual dimension. This present elaboration is conducted with qualitative research methods, including phenomenography, which relates to descriptions, analysis, and understanding of experiences. It is conducted as close as possible the interviewees’ comprehensions and experiences. The driving force through the entire research process has been to contribute to give answers to the central question: What makes therapy work? The selected explanatory cases describe how spiritual experiences may contribute to hope and opening up new opportunities for mental problem solving and transformation in the process of regaining mental health. The wholeness of the person was activated, and this elicited coping and mental liberation. The interviewees had experienced thorough transformation and liberation from drug addiction and other serious disorders. The present article describes a concluding elaboration on an ongoing explorative study related to participants’ liberation in an efficient treatment organization. The intention is that the insight emerging from the study may be transferable to other research and treatment contexts.