Inquiry into DSM-IV Category Religious or Spiritual Problem

This study examined whether and how psychological professionals are using DSM-IV category Religious or Spiritual Problem, V-Code 62.89, in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) in their work with clients. A Clinical Experience Inquiry was designed for this study to examine education and training about, and understanding and applications of V-Code 62.89 by American Psychological Association (APA) Psychologists. The study revealed V62.89 is not being used as the authors intended. It suggests that spiritual emergence processes are being overlooked or misidentified by psychologists. Few clinicians are educated or trained to consider the psychospiritual development of the client. Implications of the study reveal the need for exposure, education and training to change the paradigm of psychologists to view spiritual emergence as a viable human developmental process to be addressed in psychological settings. Mental health professionals, spiritual guides, medical doctors, educators, yoga and meditation practitioners, pastoral counselors, clergy, and interested others may find this study helpful.