ABSTRACT
The Maltese Islands have experienced rapid change in the past few years, mainly as a consequence of their accession into the European Union and the phenomenon of globalisation. This socio-political-cultural change has contributed to a more open, secular and diverse society that is in constant flux. At times, the participants understood spirituality and religion to be distinct and opposite, with religion stunting people's spiritual and/or psychological growth as opposed to spirituality, which was linked to development. A religious person was described as not necessarily being spiritual and vice versa. In perceiving spirituality and religion to be at opposing poles of the spectrum, the participants often appraised spirituality positively and religion negatively. Another theme that emerged and highlighted the participants' experience of spirituality being integral to psychotherapy is that they viewed the therapeutic relationship as a sacred space. Some of the participants seemed to equate spiritual needs with therapeutic needs.
