Francis Lu, Psychiatrist: Adding Spirit to Psychiatry

Francis Lu, Psychiatrist:

On Recognizing Spiritual Issues in Psychiatry

An essay Francis Lu wrote with two colleagues to the APA's editorial board for the DSM-IV was instrumental in creating the first category in the DSM, called Spiritual or Religious Problem. This category is not a name for a pathology--instead, it simply names issues that might come into therapy, which are NOT a sign of pathology in and of themselves, but something that relates to culture. It is currently recognized to be very important for psychologists, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists to be sensitive to the culture of their clients/patients. A Cultural Formulation Interview holds a place in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders V, the book used to categorize and name mental health disorders. However, it is not mandated that healthcare providers use the CFI, or receive training to use it. Thus, many remain untutored in the best way to affirm cultural diversity, including a client's approach to spirituality and their spiritual experiences. Dr. Lu recommends the following as the best online training on the Cultural Formulation Interview (CFI): https://nyculturalcompetence.org/cfionlinemodule/

Francis Lu, MD: Bio

Francis is the Luke & Grace Kim Professor in Cultural Psychiatry, Emeritus, at the University of California, Davis. As a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), Dr. Lu has contributed to the areas of cultural psychiatry, including the interface with religion/spirituality, psychiatric education, diversity/inclusion, mental health equity, and psychiatry/film.