Religion is viewed by many as something that brings joy and satisfaction to life. But there is another side to religion that is captured by the idea of the Dark Night of the Soul. This can be a dark, painful experience at the time, but often is interpreted positively by the religious person. This has important implications for mental health professionals and how they view these experiences.
Read the research article by Dr. Durà-Vilà The dark night of the soul: Causes and resolution of emotional distress among contemplative nuns. (Click here) Although conducted with Catholic nuns, the findings and issues are relevant for all branches of Christianity (and some other religions).
Write 400-500 words in which you discuss your reactions to this study. Focus particularly on the implications of these findings for healthcare professionals.
