Incorporating Religion & Spirituality into Grief Counseling
And while it was once believed that these issues should be left to religious leaders, it’s becoming clearer and clearer that effective grief treatment needs to incorporate clients' spiritual beliefs.
After all, making meaning after loss is intrinsically tied to spirituality and religion…
It’s simply too much of a component of grief counseling for clinicians to shy away from.
That’s why Dr. Christina Zampitella, PsyD, FT, is here to weigh in on the importance of bringing religion and spirituality into your grief treatment, plus key considerations to increase your comfort level talking about these issues.
Christina Zampitella, Psy.D., FT, is a licensed clinical psychologist, Fellow of Thanatology, and the founder of The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy. She frequently serves as an adjunct professor and internationally recognized professional speaker, with a particular passion for training emerging mental health professionals. Her clinical practice, research, course development, and teaching are centered around grief and trauma studies, nature-based therapy, and integrative psychology.
Dr. Zampitella has held leadership roles within professional institutions, serving as the chair of the Continuing Education Committee for several organizations. Additionally, she is a faculty member at the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition and is on the advisory committee for National University’s Integrative Psychology bachelor’s degree program. Her professional experience includes serving as the resident psychologist for 5 News in San Diego, and she frequently appeared on NBC News in San Diego and Philadelphia. Dr. Zampitella has been recognized in various publications, including The Huffington Post, New York Post, Elle Magazine, BuzzFeed, and several Delaware publications. She also hosts her podcast, Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z., where she delves into various topics related to grief and trauma. Currently, she resides in Delaware with her husband, three sons, and three cats.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Christina Zampitella is the owner of The Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy and has an employment relationship with National University. She receives compensation as a presenter and receives a grant from Delaware Workforce Training. She receives speaking honorariums from TZK Seminars and eCare. She is the founder and host of Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Christina Zampitella serves on the advisory committee for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and the National University's Integrative Psychology Bachelor's Degree Program. She is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Delaware Psychological Association. She is a fellow with the Association for Death Education and Counseling.
