The spiritual competence 9 combination of functional and foundational competencies and developmental stages of growth have been referred to as the cube model rodolfa bent eisman et al 2005 for professional competency in psychology and this combination provides a good heuristic of the issues involved when considering competency . Reading the book spiritual competency in psychotherapy was like having a series of extended conversations with a good friend about what really matters in psychotherapy and life philip brownell generously shares his experiences insights knowledge questions and struggles about spirituality and psychotherapy in this book. Historically mental health clinicians were trained to refer clients spiritual issues to pastoral professionals however the current requirement for competence with diverse cultural concerns in counseling and psychotherapy may include those of a religious nature. Philip brownell starts spiritual competency in psychotherapy with a quote from the bible which may put off some non christian counselors however he issues a disclaimer early in the text that although he brings in excerpts from other religious leanings he generally discusses what he knows best christianity. Reading the book spiritual competency in psychotherapy was like having a series of extended conversations with a good friend about what really matters in psychotherapy and life philip brownell generously shares his experiences insights knowledge questions and struggles about spirituality and psychotherapy in this book