Laura Captari

Boston University | BU · The Albert and Jessie Danielsen Institute

This chapter examines the complexities of therapeutic alliance ruptures and their repair processes. It underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing these ruptures to foster deeper therapeutic relationships and improve treatment outcomes. The authors present various strategies for identifying and resolving ruptures, including alliance-bu...

Introduction Positive psychology and virtue ethics traditions suggest that virtue development is a pathway to well‐being, but few studies have examined how psychotherapy in naturalistic settings contributes to clients' virtue engagement. Method This study was conducted at a community mental health clinic specialising in contemporary relational psy...

Background Despite the recognition of meaning and hope as salient for many individuals in mental health treatment, little empirical attention has been given to patient perspectives. Research has primarily looked at the presence—or absence—of meaning and hope, and associations with symptom distress and suicidality. Aims These constructs are multi‐f...

Within the current Zeitgeist, the language of trauma is ubiquitous. This special issue brings the psychological treatment of trauma and Indigenous (e.g., cultural, religious) healing frameworks into conversation, rather than privileging one over the other. The included studies engage an intersubjective understanding of trauma impacts. They do not a...

In addition to psychological distress, trauma survivors often grapple with religious/spiritual (R/S) struggles, which can compromise well-being and limit possibilities for flourishing. This practice-based clinical study of psychotherapy clients (N = 349) in a community mental health clinic compares clients reporting histories of trauma (n = 149) wi...

Initial quantitative research has found that divine grace correlates with both forgiveness and humility, but little conceptual work has sought to elaborate on why these associations might exist. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to provide rich, context-based, qualitative data to explore how Mainline Protestant Christians experience the in...

Objective: The present study explored rates of burnout and racial trauma among 182 Black mental health professionals (BMHPs) and utilized racial–cultural theory to explore potential protective factors against burnout and racial trauma. Method: We collected data from 182 Black psychologists and counselors who were active mental health professionals...

Religious leaders (i.e., clergy and chaplains) face unique, ongoing stressors that can increase risks for psychosocial and vocational vulnerabilities. Emerging evidence indicates concerning prevalence rates of distress and attrition among these professionals, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, most empirical work has focused on comp...

This feasibility study reports on the development and initial evaluation of a novel online intervention for helping professionals (HPs; i.e. mental health professionals, chaplains, clergy) designed to (a) address occupational hazards, such as burnout and vicarious traumatization, and (b) promote well-being and flourishing at work. In contrast with...

Limited studies have empirically investigated the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among Black clergy and religious leaders despite their status as helping professionals who are implicated in times of crisis. In light of cultural considerations that position African American churches as trusted institutions linking local communities o...

Abstract Objective Treatment outcome monitoring typically emphasizes pathology. In contrast, we responded to the need to establish psychodynamic psychotherapy as evidence-based by modeling changes in gratitude and forgiveness. Method We utilized a practice-based research design involving non-manualized outpatient treatment. We employed a longitudi...

This phenomenological qualitative study explored how forced migrants in South Africa cope with violent, traumatic experiences and precarious resettlement conditions. Data came from a larger empirical project examining migration, psychological distress, and coping. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 refugees and asylum seekers (Mage = 30.27,...

This book synthesizes perspectives on how ‘place’ is deeply intertwined with our spirituality and well-being. Split into three sections, this book brings together contributions from global scholars across a range of disciplines to unravel how the personal, social, and cultural spheres of place shape our spiritual experiences and overall well-being....

A global and multidisciplinary approach to place, religion/spirituality, and well-being could contribute to improving our understanding of how place is related to religion/spirituality, well-being, and the intersection between these two fundamental aspects of human life. Re-establishing the centrality of place to human life, this chapter highlights...

In Chap. 1, we briefly discussed place as a central ingredient to psycho-social-spiritual resources that form part of the healing systems people rely on to support their well-being. Drawing on the multidisciplinary contributions presented in this volume, we elaborate on this idea by situating place as the cornerstone of healing systems, well-being,...

This chapter reviews and synthesizes recent publications (n = 75) that explore the interplay of place, spirituality, and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Articles were thematically analyzed and categorized, and six main themes emerged: spirituality and the body in quarantine, evolution of religious gatherings and rituals, religious reactanc...

The empirical study of grace, a relational virtue, is in its beginning stages. The purpose of this study was to provide rich, context-based, qualitative data to describe Mainline Protestants’ (a) experiences of, and (b) beliefs about, divine grace. Interviews were conducted with 28 community adults who were affiliated with Mainline Protestant Churc...

While religious meaning-making has been extensively studied, emic religious coping remains largely unexplored. This consensual qualitative research study explored Catholic cancer survivors' (N = 22) descriptions of drawing on their religious framework throughout their cancer journeys. Findings revealed distinctive Catholic resources such as the pow...

One trend in psychotherapy research involves examining client factors to better understand change. Some have framed client factors as virtues. Humility is one virtue that has gained attention with evidence that suggests humility may help facilitate therapeutic change. A specific type of humility, cultural humility, however, has not been closely exa...

Group psychotherapy has been shown to be equivalent to individual therapy for many disorders, including anxiety, depression, grief, eating disorders, and schizophrenia (Burlingame & Strauss, 2021). In addition to effectiveness in reducing symptoms, group offers members a sense of belonging, purpose, hope, altruism, and meaning throughout treatment...

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, chaplains have played a pivotal role in patient, family member, and staff care. However, little empirical attention has been given to (a) the potential toll of frontline spiritual care on chaplains’ mental health and occupational functioning as well as (b) the development of interventions tha...

Physical and existential threats stemming from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may provoke religious/spiritual (R/S) struggles or exacerbate preexisting angst and questions. In the Global South, where pervasive social–structural disadvantages limit resource availability to mitigate psychosocial consequences, doubts about divine pre...

This longitudinal intervention study examines the effectiveness of a 6-day intensive experiential group therapy program for survivors of mass shootings. The sample consisted of 36 participants (83.33% female; Mage = 41.66, SDage = 22.52) who survived a mass shooting episode in the U.S. Self-reported mental health (i.e., PTSD, depression, and anxiet...

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated abrupt and substantial changes in daily life, and public health strategies intended to protect physical health can negatively affect mental health and well-being, especially for individuals with pre-existing mental health challenges. For this study, we surveyed a sample of clients (N = 94) in the summer of 2020 fr...

A comprehensive review of the practice-based evidence for spiritually integrated psychotherapy (SIP) is necessary in order to catalyze research and training in this important diversity area. In this article, we identify and synthesize key findings from 35 studies in six key areas: (a) SIPs in trauma treatment, (b) SIPs in treating eating disorders,...

Positive psychology, as a subdiscipline oriented to promoting human well-being, has grown significantly as a field over the past thirty years. To date, clinical applications in positive psychology have tended to advance more generalized, universal understandings of what constitutes well-being. We assert in this article that greater attention ought...

This cross-sectional mixed method community action study exploring the virtue of humility was conducted as part of a collaborative practical theology project at a pluralistic, ecumenical Mainline Protestant seminary. Students ( N = 65) in a spiritual formation graduate class completed quantitative measures of humility, spiritual well-being, differe...

Traumatic events, such as natural disasters, often lead to significant resource loss for survivors, which can negatively affect emotional well-being. In these situations, it is common for people to draw on their religious or spiritual faith to cope with their pain and struggle. One construct that has received increased attention within the field of...

Natural disasters can disrupt and challenge survivors’ core belief systems, leading to negative health consequences. People often rely on religion/spirituality to help them cope and make meaning, but to date very few studies have specifically focused on exploring spiritually oriented expressive writing interventions with natural disaster survivors....

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended daily life, resulting in the collective experience of uncertainty, isolation, and grief. Drawing on clinical practice, as well as the attachment, social neuroscience, and disaster mental health literatures, this paper considers the unique strains and stressors of the public health crisis on the self of the therapis...

The COVID-19 pandemic has plagued the world, bringing everyday activities to a standstill. Many people are wrestling with the impact of the public health crisis on the connections they have with their environment (e.g., neighborhoods, cities), specific places (e.g., workplaces, places of worship), and people (e.g., loved ones, faith community) that...

A rising interest in virtues in psychotherapy has spurred empirical exploration of their influence on both mental health symptoms and well‐being. As such, we explored the virtue ethics premise that growth in the virtue of humility may ameliorate mental health symptoms and promote well‐being. We also examined whether change in experiential avoidance...

Objective: Sudden or violent death of a loved one poses unique challenges for the bereaved. Research has found such losses to be associated with higher levels of chronic psychological distress. The present study explored underlying mechanisms and risk and protective factors for both prolonged grief and posttraumatic growth, considering both human...

The political climate in the United States is turbulent. The current study examined how (a) one’s own political humility and (b) one’s perceptions of the political humility of another person affect one’s willingness to forgive another person for a political hurt or offense. Participants (N = 494) reported a recent political conflict and reported th...

Background and Objectives: Military service is a stressful occupation, including increased risk for psychological distress. In order to provide the best care for service members and veterans (SMVs), it is important to understand personality and behavioral patterns associated with negative outcomes. This study examined links between attachment proce...

Religious and spiritual experience unfolds in the ever-changing milieu of culture, institution, social environment and physical place. But what happens when mass tragedy strikes? How might congregants be uniquely impacted when a shooting desecrates their synagogue, mosque, temple or church? Or when a hurricane obliterates their home, which is imbue...

Some religious or spiritual (R/S) clients seek psychotherapy that integrates R/S values, while others may be reticent to disclose R/S-related aspects of struggles in a presumably secular setting. The authors meta-analyzed 97 outcome studies ( N = 7,181) examining the efficacy of tailoring treatment to patients’ R/S beliefs and values. They compared...

Cultural humility has been shown to enhance cross-cultural relationships, but little research has explored how individuals perceive the cultural humility of a salient group. In the current study, we examined how perceptions of the cultural humility of a religious community affect the well-being of sexual minorities, who frequently experience discri...

Debates about immigration policy have sparked increasingly negative attitudes toward refugees, particularly those of Muslim identification. Research to date has found that post-immigration prejudice and discrimination, often reinforced at a systemic level, pose an additional psychological burden to refugees. The present study explored associations...

Objective: Religion has been shown to protect against the negative effects of traumatic events. The current pilot study explored the extent to which religious support (i.e., sense of comfort and support from the Sacred, religious leaders, and fellow faith participants) buffered against the indirect negative psychological symptoms (i.e., religious/...

Objective: This longitudinal qualitative study explores the impact of natural disasters on religious attachment (perceived relationship with God). We sought to validate and conceptually extend the religion-as-attachment model in a postdisaster context. Method: At 4 weeks (T1; n = 36) and 6 months postdisaster (T2; n = 29), survivors of the 2016...

Participation in religious groups may help religious individuals experience higher levels of belonging and meaning. The current study explored how the makeup of religious groups as either ideologically homogeneous or diverse influences belonging and meaning, and also tested religious intellectual humility as a possible moderator of this relationshi...

Some religious or spiritual (R/S) clients seek psychotherapy that integrates R/S values, while others may be reticent to disclose R/S‐related aspects of struggles in a presumably secular setting. We meta‐analyzed 97 outcome studies (N = 7,181) examining the efficacy of tailoring treatment to patients’ R/S beliefs and values. We compared the effecti...

In this case study, we describe Teen Relationship Education Empowerment (TREE), a faith-based prevention program to reduce teen dating violence (TDV). Faith communities have tremendous potential to address multilevel risk and protective factors for TDV. We first describe the program, which is a 2-session psychoeducational training for congregation...

Therapists and mental health professionals strive to provide competent treatment to increasingly diverse populations, but can struggle to effectively engage with clients from different cultural backgrounds. Cultural humility is an approach and process that can help facilitate strong working alliances between therapists and diverse clients, leading...