A new initiative, backed by a multimillion-dollar grant from the John Templeton Foundation, seeks to redefine the practice of mental health care by shifting the focus from merely alleviating symptoms to fostering personal meaning and well-being. This project, spearheaded by clinical psychologist Steven Sandage from Boston University, aims to train mental health professionals to recognize and integrate the strengths, community ties, and life purposes of their clients into therapeutic practices.
Sandage, who holds the title of Albert and Jessie Danielsen Professor of Psychology of Religion and Theology, is collaborating with Jesse Owen, a professor at the University of Denver. Their initiative, which commenced in September and will span three years, will take place across eight clinical sites in the United States and Ireland.
“We have structured this project around the question, “Does mental health treatment genuinely assist patients in leading more meaningful lives and connecting better with their communities?”” Sandage stated. He emphasized that there is significantly less understanding regarding the outcomes of mental health treatment related to meaningful living compared to the traditional clinical goal of reducing symptoms.
Throughout his career, Sandage has worked to merge theological insights with mental health practices. He believes that a focus on two crucial elements—relational virtues and flourishing—can significantly enhance care. Relational virtues encompass qualities that promote resilience and overall well-being, such as humility, compassion, forgiveness, and gratitude. These attributes can facilitate healthy interpersonal connections, according to Sandage.
Flourishing, as described by Sandage, consists of three main aspects: vitality, meaningful purpose, and authentic social connections. He considers flourishing as a crucial measure of life satisfaction, influenced by systemic factors like access to resources, community support, and experiences of discrimination. While many clinicians recognize the importance of fostering client flourishing, Sandage notes that there is often a lack of training to effectively implement these approaches. This project aims to address that gap by offering targeted training for clinicians involved in the initiative.
The interview with Sandage provided further insights into his vision for transforming mental health care and the potential impact of this groundbreaking project.
