Annemarie Gockel

2006 Research Trainee Award, Senior Graduate Studentship

Client perspectives on using spirituality to address physical and mental health challenges

British Columbians are increasingly turning towards complementary health care and spiritual strategies including yoga, meditation, energy healing and prayer to maintain wellness and overcome physical and mental health challenges. People who rank spirituality as a central value live longer, have lower-blood pressure, experience less cardiovascular disease, are four times less likely to commit suicide, and are three times more likely to survive life-threatening procedures than those who do not. Although health care providers are increasingly interested in drawing on spirituality as a potential resource in healing, the development of spiritually-infused counselling interventions is in its infancy.

Annemarie is studying the experiences of Vancouverites who rely on their spirituality to maintain wellness, face life challenges, and overcome physical and mental health problems. By increasing our understanding of why, when and how people use prayer, meditation and other practices to meet health challenges, this study lays the groundwork for designing relevant spiritually-infused counselling interventions that can be used to enhance the health and wellbeing of British Columbians.

Received 2004 MSFHR Trainee award
Read Annemarie Gockel's 2004 Trainee profile

Completed award term, August 2008

Back to 2006 Research Trainee Awards