Which statement is true about Tan's view on the relationship between Christian spirituality and therapy?

• A. They are incompatible
• B. They should be integrated with therapy
• C. They should replace therapy
• D. They are irrelevant

Answer: (B)

The central idea is that Christian spirituality and therapeutic work are best viewed as complementary, not separate or opposing. Tan argues that spirituality can play a meaningful role in healing and growth within therapy, and that faith-informed perspectives can enrich the therapeutic process rather than hinder it.

Why this fits: For many Christians, beliefs about meaning, purpose, sin, forgiveness, and relationship with God shape how they experience distress and cope with it. Integrating spirituality means the therapist acknowledges and respects these beliefs, assesses spiritual life as part of the client’s story, and, with consent, draws on faith-based resources or practices that support growth. This integration preserves professional care while honoring the client’s faith, using spiritual values to guide goals, motivation, and resilience without substituting religious practice for evidence-based therapeutic techniques.

Why the other ideas don’t fit as well: claiming they are incompatible ignores the supportive role faith can play in coping and motivation; suggesting therapy should be replaced by religion dismisses the need for trained mental health interventions; and labeling spirituality as irrelevant overlooks how central belief systems often are to a person’s sense of meaning and healing.

In short, Tan’s view is that therapy and Christian spirituality can and should be integrated to provide holistic care that respects and incorporates the client’s faith.