The conceptualization of Atheism has transformed considerably over the past century, making a transition from the taboo to a new movement of outspoken activism underlined by a strong self-identification with systemic nonbelief and sense of pride. Psychological literature has only begun to reflect the larger societal changes in perception and value over the past decade. As such, research has yet to adequately examine Atheism from a cultural perspective, creating an injustice in the psychotherapist’s ability to properly understand and treat patients in a comprehensive manner. Through the examination of trajectories leading to an Atheistic belief set, the application of a strength-based lens, and the dispelling of inaccurate, mythical thought, best practice can be applied in providing psychotherapuetic services to individuals who, at their core, do not believe in the existence of God(s).
","abstract_html":"<p>The conceptualization of Atheism has transformed considerably over the past century, making a transition from the taboo to a new movement of outspoken activism underlined by a strong self-identification with systemic nonbelief and sense of pride. Psychological literature has only begun to reflect the larger societal changes in perception and value over the past decade. As such, research has yet to adequately examine Atheism from a cultural perspective, creating an injustice in the psychotherapist’s ability to properly understand and treat patients in a comprehensive manner. Through the examination of trajectories leading to an Atheistic belief set, the application of a strength-based lens, and the dispelling of inaccurate, mythical thought, best practice can be applied in providing psychotherapuetic services to individuals who, at their core, do not believe in the existence of God(s).</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Lampert, Justin Michael"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology","degree_level":"Dissertation - Public Access","degree_discipline":"Clinical Psychology","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Eric Rosen","Patricia Dixon"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2019,"date_issued":"2019-06-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2019-06-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:21:28Z","subjects":["atheism","therapy","treatment","diversity","cultural","psychology","Clinical Psychology"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/366","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Eric Rosen","Patricia Dixon"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Lampert, Justin Michael"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2019-05-23T07:00:00Z"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["Clinical Psychology"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Dissertation - Public Access"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["atheism","therapy","treatment","diversity","cultural","psychology","Clinical Psychology"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/366"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["The conceptualization of Atheism has transformed considerably over the past century, making a transition from the taboo to a new movement of outspoken activism underlined by a strong self-identification with systemic nonbelief and sense of pride. Psychological literature has only begun to reflect the larger societal changes in perception and value over the past decade. As such, research has yet to adequately examine Atheism from a cultural perspective, creating an injustice in the psychotherapist’s ability to properly understand and treat patients in a comprehensive manner. Through the examination of trajectories leading to an Atheistic belief set, the application of a strength-based lens, and the dispelling of inaccurate, mythical thought, best practice can be applied in providing psychotherapuetic services to individuals who, at their core, do not believe in the existence of God(s).
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Exploration of Atheism as a Diversity Issue and its Implications for Best Practice in Psychotherapy: Trajectories and Strengths"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Eric Rosen","Patricia Dixon"],"dc:creator":["Lampert, Justin Michael"],"dc:date.available":["2019-05-23T07:00:00Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["The conceptualization of Atheism has transformed considerably over the past century, making a transition from the taboo to a new movement of outspoken activism underlined by a strong self-identification with systemic nonbelief and sense of pride. Psychological literature has only begun to reflect the larger societal changes in perception and value over the past decade. As such, research has yet to adequately examine Atheism from a cultural perspective, creating an injustice in the psychotherapist’s ability to properly understand and treat patients in a comprehensive manner. Through the examination of trajectories leading to an Atheistic belief set, the application of a strength-based lens, and the dispelling of inaccurate, mythical thought, best practice can be applied in providing psychotherapuetic services to individuals who, at their core, do not believe in the existence of God(s).
"],"dc:identifier":["https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/366"],"dc:subject":["atheism","therapy","treatment","diversity","cultural","psychology","Clinical Psychology"],"dc:title":["Exploration of Atheism as a Diversity Issue and its Implications for Best Practice in Psychotherapy: Trajectories and Strengths"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["Clinical Psychology"],"thesis:degree_level":["Dissertation - Public Access"],"thesis:degree_name":["Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T03:21:28Z"}