Date
6-19-2024
Department
School of Behavioral Sciences
Degree
Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)
Chair
Sharita Knobloch
Keywords
Exposure-Based Therapies, Anxiety, Religious Faith
Disciplines
Counseling
Recommended Citation
Gordon, Leslie Marie, "The Relationship Between Therapists' Belief About Exposure-Based Therapies, Anxiety, and Religious Faith: A Quantitative Study" (2024). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 5720.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/5720
Abstract
Professional therapists are vital in society, providing mental health care for individuals and families. However, therapists can experience mental health diagnoses as well, which may affect what therapeutic techniques they use with clients. Exposure-based therapies (EBTs) are an effective therapeutic technique for anxiety disorder, yet professional therapists underutilize them. Research demonstrated that religious faith affects the counseling relationship, although no research was identified as exploring the relationship between therapists’ religious faith, personal anxiety level, and belief in using EBTs in their practices. This quantitative, descriptive, correlational study utilized PROCESS Model 1 and sought to fill this gap in the literature. Professional therapists practicing in the San Antonio area were surveyed through Qualtrics regarding the strength of their religious faith, anxiety level, and belief in EBTs. The findings revealed a statistically significant relationship between therapist’s anxiety level and belief in EBTs; however, religious faith did not moderate this relationship. Higher anxiety levels correlated with more negative beliefs regarding EBTs. The findings from this study offer benefits for future research, professional therapists, the community of faith, and the general population in understanding the factors affecting the counseling techniques used in practice.
