Spirituality and Psychiatry SIG Conference 2024: ‘What’s God got to do with it? Is there a place for God in Psychiatry?’

Please register via the 'Book Now' button above. Please note, we do not invoice for delegate fees. Please contact us if you need details on how to make a bank transfer. If your Trust is making payment on your behalf and would like to pay by card, please call Rhianne Haresign on 020 8618 4213 to make payment over the phone. 

This conference will take place in person and will not be recorded or available on demand in any capacity. The conference theme is:

‘What’s God got to do with it? Is there a place for God in Psychiatry?’

Hearing a patient say they talk to God will make many psychiatrists feel uncomfortable. Relationships are central to our understanding of people’s mental health; often the most important for many individuals is the one they have with God. And yet it is the one relationship that psychiatrists avoid addressing with their patients.

How can we discuss this relationship with patients respectfully and professionally? How does their interaction with a higher power influence and operate in their lives- has it been healing or problematic? How do different faiths perceive this bond?

We will explore these issues with keynote speakers and panel discussions, both from a clinical and faith perspective. We will also hear from a service user and have breakout groups to deepen our own conversations about this important aspect of mental health care.

This conference will invite participants to explore and understand how clinical and spiritual perspectives come together in psychiatry. Is there is a place and permission for God to be discussed?  What does that means for clinicians, patients, carers, and service users from a diversity of faiths and none. And what does that means for psychiatrists making formulations and planning care. 

 What you will gain:

1. An opportunity to explore reasons why psychiatrists may find it difficult to talk with patients about God and how to navigate these conversations.
2. A chance to consider when, and why, talking about God with patients might be difficult, important, helpful, or unhelpful.
3. A better understanding of what good professional practice looks like in this area.
4. Insights from different faith perspectives
5. An opportunity to reflect on what to do when patients ask us about our own faith

Please view the programme here.

The event will take place at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, London E1 8BB. Take a look at a map and directions to help plan your journey.

The  Citymapper website/app can help you plan your route within London, giving the best walking, cycling, bus and tube routes available. Use postcode E1 8BB as your destination.

Please note that you will need to make your own accommodation arrangements for this event. View our accommodation list to view a range of accommodation options within walking distance of the College.