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‘Somewhere Between God and Medicine There is a Place for Me’: The Ethical Stance of ‘Radical Presence’ with ‘Spiritual Relational Reflexivity’ as Ways of Enhancing Therapeutic Possibilities

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy

Published online on

Abstract

If we pause to recognise that as professionals we share the same sky and the same earth as those who seek our help, then we would come to understand that our experiences of spirituality are also intrinsically interlinked. Using case examples, this paper explores my experience of adopting combinations of systemic and narrative therapy interventions within a stance of ‘radical presence’ (McNamee, ) with ‘spiritual relational reflexivity.’ In this process, the mutual influence between professional, personal, and therapeutic contexts is viewed as a helpful resource for ‘being with’ clients spiritually. Reflexive ‘ways of engaging spirituality’ (being ‘spiritually relationally reflexive’) and opening up therapeutic and spiritual possibilities with clients, in the context of grief, are also explored. Essential to the process is viewing systemic therapy as an ongoing reflexive learning context.