International Journal of Cultic Studies ■ Vol. 1, No. 1, 2010 89
Spirituality and Psychiatry
Chris Cook, Andrew Powell and Andrew Sims (Editors)
Reviewed by Arthur A. Dole, Ph. D., ABPP
London: The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
2009. ISBN-13: 978 1004671 71 8 (soft cover),
$50. (Spirituality and Psychiatry is available in
the U.S. at Publishers St Storage and Shipping
Company, 46 Development Road, Fitchburg,
MA, 01420. Tel: =1 (0) 978 829 2560 fax: +1
(0)978 348 1233. email: orders@pssc.co). U.K.
edition, 300 pages U.S. edition, 228 pages.
How do psychiatrists and other mental-health
specialists justify the application of spirituality
to patients in the United Kingdom? The
contributors to this book maintain that
spirituality is crucial to mental well-being and
psychiatric care. Their evidence: international
authorities, case studies, research, professional
experience, official reports, and patients’
testimonies. (Incidentally, my review is based on
the 300-page U.K edition, not the shorter U.S.
version.)
Spirituality Defined
The three editors—Chris Cook, a theologian
Andrew Powell, a psychotherapist and Andrew
Sims, a psychiatrist—state that spirituality has
been defined in diverse ways. Their book, whose
contributors included 17 psychiatrists, 1 social
worker, and 1 psychotherapist, was supported by
The Spirituality and Psychiatry Interest Group of
the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Among
aspects of spirituality identified in 14 chapters
was, of course, religion, plus caring, empathy,
mysticism, New Age practices, near-death
experiences, life’s meaning, dreams,
transpersonal perspectives, personal philosophy,
and so on. And on. All these aspects, the
contributors assert, can contribute to patient
welfare within a mental-health team approach.
As an aside, Royal psychiatrists in the English
National Health Service are by no means alone
in expanding the meaning of spirituality, once
pretty much confined to its religious aspect.
Currently, Google provides 14 definitions,
Wikipedia devotes to it 15 related topics, and the
American Psychological Association lists 8
books and 5 videos on Spirituality and Religion
in its 2010 Spring Book Catalog.
Pathological Spirituality
Chapter 13, Pathological Spirituality, by Nicki
Crowley and Gillie Jenkinson, is of greatest
relevance to readers of this journal. After a good
review of the literature from Barker to Zimbardo
and three case studies ("Compositions based on
real clinical situations"), the authors conclude (p.
270):
Groups that use techniques such as
‘brainwashing’, ‘persuasive coercion’,
‘thought reform’, and ‘mind control’ may be
damaging to individuals, their communities,
and society at large. When such techniques
are used, spiritual beliefs, practices, and
experiences may become pathological.
Psychiatrists must be prepared to understand
the potent effects of pathological spirituality,
not only on the mindset of individuals, but
also, from the cultic studies’ perspective, on
the dynamics within groups. Only then can
psychiatrists hope to recognize the signs and
help those involved in the most effective
way.
I wish that Crowley and Jenkinson had included
brief comments on the names of the larger
harmful cults in the U.K., and on efforts there at
exit consultation, rehabilitation, and treatment of
cult victims.
Conclusions
Each team of contributors ended their chapter
with a brief conclusion, followed by References.
I have summarized their conclusions to illustrate
the flavors of the book. (My comments, if any,
about their supporting evidence are indicated in
parentheses.)
Spirituality and Psychiatry
Chris Cook, Andrew Powell and Andrew Sims (Editors)
Reviewed by Arthur A. Dole, Ph. D., ABPP
London: The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
2009. ISBN-13: 978 1004671 71 8 (soft cover),
$50. (Spirituality and Psychiatry is available in
the U.S. at Publishers St Storage and Shipping
Company, 46 Development Road, Fitchburg,
MA, 01420. Tel: =1 (0) 978 829 2560 fax: +1
(0)978 348 1233. email: orders@pssc.co). U.K.
edition, 300 pages U.S. edition, 228 pages.
How do psychiatrists and other mental-health
specialists justify the application of spirituality
to patients in the United Kingdom? The
contributors to this book maintain that
spirituality is crucial to mental well-being and
psychiatric care. Their evidence: international
authorities, case studies, research, professional
experience, official reports, and patients’
testimonies. (Incidentally, my review is based on
the 300-page U.K edition, not the shorter U.S.
version.)
Spirituality Defined
The three editors—Chris Cook, a theologian
Andrew Powell, a psychotherapist and Andrew
Sims, a psychiatrist—state that spirituality has
been defined in diverse ways. Their book, whose
contributors included 17 psychiatrists, 1 social
worker, and 1 psychotherapist, was supported by
The Spirituality and Psychiatry Interest Group of
the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Among
aspects of spirituality identified in 14 chapters
was, of course, religion, plus caring, empathy,
mysticism, New Age practices, near-death
experiences, life’s meaning, dreams,
transpersonal perspectives, personal philosophy,
and so on. And on. All these aspects, the
contributors assert, can contribute to patient
welfare within a mental-health team approach.
As an aside, Royal psychiatrists in the English
National Health Service are by no means alone
in expanding the meaning of spirituality, once
pretty much confined to its religious aspect.
Currently, Google provides 14 definitions,
Wikipedia devotes to it 15 related topics, and the
American Psychological Association lists 8
books and 5 videos on Spirituality and Religion
in its 2010 Spring Book Catalog.
Pathological Spirituality
Chapter 13, Pathological Spirituality, by Nicki
Crowley and Gillie Jenkinson, is of greatest
relevance to readers of this journal. After a good
review of the literature from Barker to Zimbardo
and three case studies ("Compositions based on
real clinical situations"), the authors conclude (p.
270):
Groups that use techniques such as
‘brainwashing’, ‘persuasive coercion’,
‘thought reform’, and ‘mind control’ may be
damaging to individuals, their communities,
and society at large. When such techniques
are used, spiritual beliefs, practices, and
experiences may become pathological.
Psychiatrists must be prepared to understand
the potent effects of pathological spirituality,
not only on the mindset of individuals, but
also, from the cultic studies’ perspective, on
the dynamics within groups. Only then can
psychiatrists hope to recognize the signs and
help those involved in the most effective
way.
I wish that Crowley and Jenkinson had included
brief comments on the names of the larger
harmful cults in the U.K., and on efforts there at
exit consultation, rehabilitation, and treatment of
cult victims.
Conclusions
Each team of contributors ended their chapter
with a brief conclusion, followed by References.
I have summarized their conclusions to illustrate
the flavors of the book. (My comments, if any,
about their supporting evidence are indicated in
parentheses.)
