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Spiritual Therapy in an Age of Skepticism: Can it Work for You?
From mindfulness meditation to powerful gemstones, spiritual therapy is enjoying its heyday for mental wellness. But does it really work, or are the skeptics right about it all being an elaborate scam?
Spiritual Therapy in an Age of Skepticism: Can it Work for You?
Over the years, more and more people have sought holistic healing solutions to achieve well-being. The concept of spiritual healing is a part of the movement. However, adopting it is not as simple as it sounds.
A recently published study in the journal Socius finds that many contemporary US adults are disengaging from religious institutions. More than 25 percent now identify as religiously unaffiliated. However, these statistics don’t necessarily indicate a loss of faith—they reveal a desire for a more authentic, individual definition of spirituality.
Considering spiritual therapy for mental wellness can be confusing amid the skepticism about God prevalent in many social circles in the US. Some may perceive it as less scientific than established pharmacological or therapeutic routes.
However, addressing mental health problems does not follow a convenient one-size-fits-all approach. The American Psychological Association agrees that discussions of faith may boost therapeutic outcomes and help patients cope with trauma. Depending on your beliefs, it is worth exploring if spiritualism can positively impact your sense of purpose and social relationships.
What does spiritual therapy entail?
One of the most well-known approaches is a variation of CBT or Cognitive Behavior Therapy—one that is spiritually augmented. This method aims to instill positive values in individuals, like acceptance, forgiveness, and hope. Your therapist may encourage you to try meditation or other rituals. However, their mainstay will be practicing empathetic listening to understand what’s ailing you.
This type of therapy can reap dividends in giving you purpose and meaning, helping you live everyday life with more strength. It can motivate those facing low self-confidence or hopelessness. According to Spring Arbor University, faith-based approaches can empower patients with the strength of compassion, which can be helpful in chronic psychiatric disorders.
Contemporary healthcare education also recognizes the value of alternative and complementary paths to healing. For instance, PMHNP programs online (classroom-based) equip psychiatric nurses with critical thinking and introspection skills. It enables them to consider pivotal factors, such as socioeconomic background and cultural norms, to understand whether spiritual approaches can help the patient.
Incidentally, many practitioners now use cognitive-behavioral therapy with psychopharmacological and trauma-based interventions. The spiritual focus aims to help patients establish a deeper connection with themselves and the world around them, whether they believe in a God, a spirit animal, or mysticism.
How about spiritual healing through gemstones or ayahuasca?
Sparkling gemstones tastefully arranged on a straw mat. An ayahuasca retreat where all secrets come spilling out, cleaning one’s soul Netflix-drama style. Approaches like these are often behind the skepticism surrounding this domain.
Are these generally expensive solutions authentic, or is it only a marketing gimmick for the privileged?
The answer is not straightforward. For example, gemstones have been a part of the healing sphere for ages, with many attributing special powers to amethyst and quartz. However, such claims have no scientific basis. Typically, any benefits you perceive are because of a placebo effect.
On the other hand, substances like ayahuasca, which contains dimethyltryptamine, can be potent. Ayahuasca, a plant-based medicine, supposedly has enlightening and cathartic properties.
However, some believe it promotes commodification and extractivism. In June 2025, the Guardian discussed how such healing practices are affecting the Amazon. The impact on indigenous people is questionable.
Moreover, Cleveland Clinic reports that an overdose of ayahuasca can increase one’s risk of seizure and heart attack. These risks are higher in uncontrolled settings that don’t pertain to clinical or research practice.
The bottom line is that while exploring alternative approaches to spirituality is healthy, one must be wary of risks and misinformation.
Practicing spiritual therapy at home
The popularity of practices like yoga and conscious eating have spurred numerous retreats globally—a new form of tourism promising mental wellness. McKinsey’s latest Future of Wellness survey finds that the net purchase intent for fitness classes and wellness retreats is 30 percent. It has emerged as a strong area of growth in wellness after functional nutrition, beauty, and longevity products.
Professional therapy and exotic retreats aside, cultivating spiritualism can also be a low-key affair. Many people develop small, everyday practices that help them find mental equilibrium and peace.
Guided meditation
Cliched as it may sound, meditation can indeed have palpable advantages on your mental health. Psychology Today notes that both mindfulness-based and concentrative meditation can encourage emotional regulation.
Practicing meditation can also help people become compassionate towards themselves and others. Ongoing research suggests this could be due to the release of neurotransmitters and improvement in the brain’s neuroplasticity.
Mindfulness gardening
Have you ever noticed that spending time with plants provides a sense of calm? Gardening can indeed have therapeutic benefits, promoting focus and attention on the present. Some people find that natural sights and scents reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
Yoga therapy
Yoga is another popular and easy-to-adopt technique for experiencing inner growth. Verywell Mind notes that yoga can promote mind-body focus and also help with physical ailments like arthritis.
Practicing yoga through YouTube videos is a simple way to get started and improve your flexibility. However, working with an instructor can show the most benefits as they know how to integrate yoga with other therapies.
Spiritual therapy has become a prominent approach to mental wellness, with more therapists considering it to complement conventional techniques. It can have an impact on those who feel no religious affiliation but are keen to establish a lasting connection with the natural world. It also has distinct benefits for those feeling disillusioned with the hypocrisy of modern systems and wanting to connect with others (and themselves) on a deeper level.
When exploring this realm, one must beware of fraudsters who seek vulnerable people to peddle unfounded silver bullets. Spiritual therapy, although powerful, can take time to show results, which makes miraculous cures highly doubtful. The best results can come with a willingness to make life changes and put in the effort to overcome trauma and deep-set insecurities and fears.
Ultimately, spiritual therapy is about being one with oneself and the world. It is a belief that can dissipate despair and isolation, slowly but powerfully.
