Journal of Counseling Research

Background: This study was carried out in order to compare the effectiveness of two group therapies: ‘existential and spiritual approach’ on trust, self- esteem and anxiety of divorced women in Mashhad city. Methods: 45 divorced women, who referred to counseling centers and social work clinics (Aria & Bahar) in Mashhad, were selected with in access sampling. They filled the three questionnaires used in the study (16PF, SEI and STAI - Y). They assigned to these three groups randomly. The members of these groups participated in 12 sessions of therapy intervention, 2 hours per session (2 times a week). The data were analyzed by covariate analyze (ANCOVA). Results: Existential group therapy is significantly more effective than spiritual group therapy in increasing trust (P<0.01, F=18.04) and self - esteem (P<0.01, F=17.25) and decreasing anxiety (P<0.01, F=19.61). discussion: Existential and spiritual group therapies had effect on increasing trust and self - esteem and decreasing anxiety of divorced women, but existential group therapy was significantly more effective than spiritual group therapy. y