Psychology and theology may not be the most obvious of bedfellows, but increasing attention in the past 30-plus years has been devoted to their integration. Initial literature focused on models of integration and has more recently moved from building a theoretical foundation, to its clinical application. The struggle and desire to integrate is not unique to those living in Western culture. Yet, perspectives arising from a Western cultural perspective dominate the integration literature. The increasing globalization of the world has resulted in the inevitability of cross-cultural issues both within the United States and throughout the world. In order to remain relevant and stay true to its enterprise of the unity of truth, these integration perspectives need to take other cultures and their experiences into account.; This study took a qualitative, phenomenological approach to explore the experience of integration of psychology and theology for Chinese Christian therapists. Hong Kong was selected due to its unique cultural dynamic of sitting astride both Eastern and Western cultures. The target characteristics for this study were participants who had demonstrated an interest in integration on a personal and professional level, and professed an active Protestant Christian faith. Doctoral level clinical psychologists were preferred, as they would have had the most experience and thus exposure to this issue. However, availability dictated that the majority of the participants had master's degrees. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit an understanding of their experience of integration. The themes that emerged from the study placed the context of integration as something outside of the Hong Kong mainstream culture, with both psychology and Christianity as something foreign to the Chinese culture. Integration was conducted with the virtues of humility, equality, companionship, and respect and was founded on a dynamic and committed relationship to God. The experience of integration included the sharing of personal beliefs with clients, valuing religion as a resource, using faith as an aid during therapy, giving authority to theology and believing that relationship with God facilitates something above and beyond what is humanly possible.
展开▼