resources
Instruments | Training Opportunities | Recommended Books | Support
Note: None of the resources below are paid endorsements. Instead, these resources include instruments I developed and validated for practice and/or research, trainings/books/links I frequently recommend, and links for mental/emotional health support.
instruments from my research
Please feel free to use these instruments in your practice and/or research, citing the appropriate article from which they originated. I also love hearing about how others use these instruments, so please reach out and let me know if/how you plan to use them! If you’re a mental health care provider, I hope you’ll consider using them to contemplate various facets to integrating spirituality in mental health care.
Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale (RSIPAS; 2014, 2016)
The purpose of this scale is to measure mental health care providers’ self-efficacy, attitudes, perceived feasibility, behaviors, and together, their overall orientation toward integrating clients’ religion/spirituality into mental health treatment.
CLICK HERE for RSIPAS v1 (Oxhandler & Parrish), developed for social workers [source | articles that cite RSIPASv1]
CLICK HERE for RSIPAS v2 (Oxhandler), developed for interdisciplinary groups of mental health care providers, including social workers, counselors, psychologists, nurses, and/or marriage and family therapists. [source | articles that cite RSIPASv2]
Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale – Client Attitudes (RSIPAS-CA; 2018)
The purpose of this scale is to assess mental health clients’ attitudes regarding integrating their religion/spirituality into mental health treatment. The items largely mirror the RSIPAS in order to compare clients’ and providers’ views.
CLICK HERE for RSIPAS-CAv1 (Oxhandler, Stanford, & Ellor) [source | articles that cite RSIPAS-CA]
[coming soon!] RSIPAS-CAv2 (Oxhandler, Pargament, Pearce, Vieten, Moffatt) [source | articles that cite RSIPAS-CAv2]
Social Workers’ Integration of their Faith-Christian Scale (SWIF-C; 2019)
The purpose of this scale is to explore the impact of social work [practice] on one’s faith, the impact of faith on one’s social work [practice], the impact of faith on one’s social work identity, and potential conflict between one’s faith and social work [practice]. The scale was developed with a Christian sample and items were tailored to mirror a Christian faith tradition, but the authors are interested in adapting it for other faith traditions.
CLICK HERE for SWIF-C (Oxhandler, Chamiec-Case, & Wolfer) [source | articles that cite SWIF-C]
Relevance of Religion/Spirituality & Mental Health (RRSMH; 2021)
The purpose of this scale is to measure mental health clients’ perceptions of the relevance of religion/spirituality to mental health in both positive and negative ways. This scale was developed with a national sample of current mental health clients.
[coming soon!] RRSMH (Oxhandler, Pargament, Pearce, Vieten, & Moffatt) [source | articles that cite RRSMH]
New instruments coming soon:
Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Scale – Educators (Oxhandler & Polson)
**developed with a national sample of graduate-level social work educators
training opportunities
Spiritual Competency Training in Mental Health (SCT-MH; led by Pearce & Pargament with input from Vieten and myself)
This training was developed by a research team I’ve been partnering with since 2016, funded by the John Templeton Foundation (#60971). To learn more about our team’s line of research, please visit this site.
Spirituality and Social Work: Online Post-Master’s Certificate Program
Led by Dr. Anthony Nicotera and Dr. Edward Canda through NYU’s Silver School of Social Work.
Duke University’s CME/CE Integrating Spirituality into Patient Care
Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Training Program
Led by Dr. Russell Siler Jones through the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education.
Partnership Center’s 2020 Spirituality and Mental Health Webinar Series
Led by the U.S. Department of Heath & Human Services Partnership Center/Center for Faith & Opportunity Initiatives
UT Austin’s Summer Statistics Institute
I recommend this training to all of my doctoral students or faculty who want a refresher on statistical analyses/research methods.
recommended books/readings
Check out my regularly updated list of recommended books on Bookshop (affiliated link).
For teaching on or studying religion/spirituality in mental health and related helping professions:
- Canda, E. R. (1998). Spirituality and social work: New directions. Haworth Pastoral Press.
- Canda, E.R. & Furman, L.D. (2020) Spiritual diversity in social work practice: The heart of helping (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Carlson, L. E., & Shapiro, S. L. (2009). The art and science of mindfulness: Integrating mindfulness into psychology and the helping professions. American Psychological Association.
- Ellor, J. W., Netting, E., & Thibault, J. (1999). Understanding religious and spiritual aspects of human service practice. Columbia: The University of South Carolina Press.
- Froese, P. & Bader, C. (2010). America’s four Gods: What we say about God and what that says about us. Oxford University Press.
- Garland, D. (2015). Why I am a social worker: 25 Christians tell their life stories. NACSW Press.
- Garland, D. & Yancey, G. (2014). Congregational social work: Christian perspectives. NACSW Press.
- Griffith, J. L. (2010). Religion that heals, religion that harms: A guide for clinical practice. Guilford Press.
- Jones, R. S. (2019). Spirit in session: Working with your client’s spirituality (and your own) in psychotherapy. Templeton Press
- Kahle, P. A., & Robbins, J. M. (2004). The power of spirituality in therapy: Integrating spiritual and religious beliefs in mental health practice. Haworth Press.
- Koenig, H. G. (2005). Faith and mental health: Religious resources for healing. Templeton Press.
- Koenig, H. G. (2011). Spirituality and health research: Methods, measurements, statistics, and resources. Templeton Press.
- Koenig, H. G. (2017). Religion & Mental Health Book Series: [Protestant Christianity, Catholic Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism] and Mental Health: Beliefs, Research, & Applications.
- Koenig, H. G., King, D. E., & Carson, V. B. (2012). Handbook of religion and health (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Koenig, H. G., McCullough, M. E., & Larson, D. B. (2001). Handbook of religion and health (1st ed.). Oxford University Press.
- Koenig, H. G. (2007). Spirituality in patient care: Why, how, when and what (2nd ed.). Templeton Foundation Press.
- Miller, G. (2003). Incorporating spirituality in counseling and psychotherapy: Theory and technique. John Wiley & Sons.
- Miller, L. (2015). The spiritual child: The new science on parenting for health and lifelong thriving. St. Martin’s Press.
- Pargament, K. I. (1997). The psychology of religion and coping. Guilford Press.
- Pargament, K. I. (2007). Spiritually integrated psychotherapy: Understanding and addressing the sacred. The Guilford Press.
- Pearce, M. (2016). Cognitive behavioral therapy for Christians with depression: A practical tool-based primer. Templeton Press.
- Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (2005). A spiritual strategy for counseling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). American Psychological Association.
- Vieten, C., & Scammell, S. (2015). Spiritual and religious competencies in clinical practice: Guidelines for psychotherapists and mental health professionals. New Harbinger Publications.
For faith leaders considering ways to better address mental health needs in their community:
Compassion in Action: A guide for faith communities serving people experiencing mental illness and their caregivers (offered by HHS’s Partnership Center)
Grace Alliance
Hope for Mental Health
For Research Methods:
- Structural Equation Modeling with MPlus – Barbara Byrne
- Internet, Phone, Mail, & Mixed-Mode Surveys: The Tailored Design Method – Don Dillman, Jolene Smyth, Leah Christian
- Research Methods for Social Work – Allen Rubin & Earl Babbie
- Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling – Rex Kline
For Faculty Development:
- Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
- Practical Tips for Writing Scholarly Articles – Rich Furman
- Deep Work – Cal Newport
- Digital Minimalism – Cal Newport
- How To Write a Lot – Paul Silvia
- Start with Why – Simon Sinek
Books that have served my own spiritual journey/formation:
- The Essential Rumi – Coleman Barks
- Pilgrimage of a Soul – Phileena Heuertz
- All about love – bell hooks
- Chasing Slow – Erin Loechner
- Making All Things New – Henri Nouwen
- All Along You Were Blooming – Morgan Harper Nichols
- Present Over Perfect – Shauna Niequist
- Everything Belongs – Richard Rohr
Check out my GoodReads page.
support
Emergency Resources*
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: 1-888-628-9454
- Options For Deaf + Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
- Lifeline Chat
- Crisis Text Line: text ‘Home’ to 741741
- Hopeline: Call or text 919-231-4525 or 1-877-235-4525
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE(7233), Deaf/hard of hearing 1-855-812-1011 (VP), 1-800-787-3224(TTY).
- Trevor Lifeline: 866-488-7386 (specializes in LGBTQ+ youth)
- TXT 4 HELP (texting crisis support for teens): Text the word “safe” and your current location (address, city, state) to 4HELP (44357).
- National Grad Crisis Line: 1.877.GRAD.HLP / 1.877.472.3457 (specific for graduate students)
- Veterans Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-8255 and press 1 or send a text message to 838255
- Boys Town Hotline: 800-448-3000 (also has an option for hearing and speech impaired callers at 1-800-448-1833)
Local Resources*
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) maintains a directory of local behavioral health services here.
- A list of low cost mental health resources is being compiled on LowCostHelp.com or Open Path Psychotherapy Collective.
- Local counselors, psychiatrists, and treatment centers can be searched for on HelpPRO, Psychology Today, or TherapyDen.
- Local resources suggested by To Write Love On Her Arms is available here.
- The ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) has a searchable directory here.
- The ADAA’s directory for Telemental Health providers.
- The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies has a searchable directory for CBT therapists.
- The National Mental Health Consumers’ Self-Help Clearinghouse keeps a directory of consumer-driven services for finding local peer-support resources.
- A directory specific to black women can be found at Therapy for Black Girls.
- A directory of ‘culturally competent clinicians committed to serving the mental health needs of Black & Latinx/Hispanic communities’ can be found at Melanin & Mental Health.
- A bilingual directory of mental health providers for Latinx individuals can be found at Latinx Therapy.
- A directory of therapists who ‘either identify as Latinx, a POC, or have worked closely with the POC community’ can be found at Therapy for Latinx.
Online Resources*
- Active Minds
- Addiction Helper (UK specific)
- ADDitude (website dedicated to ADD/ADHD resources & info)
- American Association of Suicidology
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
- Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
- Crisis Text Line (Text ‘Start’ to 741-741)
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)
- DrugRehab.com (Includes a page on co-occuring disorders)
- Grad Resources (for graduate students in the U.S.)
- Heads Up Guys
- International Association for Suicide Prevention
- International OCD Foundation
- Man Therapy
- MentalHealth.gov
- Mental Health America
- Mental Health Grace Alliance
- The Mighty (stories by those with chronic illness, mental illness, and more.)
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (Includes info on specific conditions)
- NAMI Helpline (Answers questions about mental health issues)
- National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH)
- Includes a page with statistics on various topics
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1.800.273.8255 / 1.800.273.TALK)
- PostpartumDepression.org
- Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA)
- Sidran Institute (trauma & dissociation)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- Treatment and Research Advancements for Borderline Personality Disorder (TARA 4 BPD)
- You Matter (a safe space for youth to discuss and share stories about mental health and wellness, created and administered by the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.)
*A special thank you to Robert Vore for compiling these lists on his website and allowing others to freely share them!