Spirituality in Mind : Psychiatry in a Post-Secular Age

Spirituality in Mind provides a critical perspective of psychiatry, revealing spirituality as central to holistic, patient-centred care. Through interdisciplinary insights and case studies, it critically examines religion, theology and psychopathology, challenges current symptom-focused models, and advocates for a shift toward meaningful recovery.

Spirituality in Mind offers a unique, personal, and critical perspective on the complex entanglements between psychiatry, spirituality, religion, and theology. Drawing on over four decades of experience, the author explores how spirituality, despite often being overlooked or undervalued, is central to holistic, patient-centred psychiatric care. Through compelling case studies and interdisciplinary insights, the book challenges conventional symptom-focused models and advocates for a shift toward meaningful recovery. It engages with the concept of “clinical theology,” highlighting the ordinary theological concerns of patients and the need for psychiatry to be more spiritually attentive. By integrating perspectives from the critical medical humanities, this book demonstrates that spirituality is not an optional extra but a core concern of psychiatry, psychiatrists, and patients alike. Spirituality in Mind raises vital questions about the nature and purpose of psychiatric practice, offering a new vision for mental health care.