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The Value of Spirituality in Counseling

Spirituality vs. Religion. What is the difference?Does spirituality belong in a counseling setting?Broad, seemingly endless subject, yet there is limited research.It's a growing trend in our field (particularly since the 1970's.It has a multi-cultural dimension.. Religion. Definition: belief in

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The Value of Spirituality in Counseling

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    1. The Value of Spirituality in Counseling A brief overview, trends, and applications

    2. Spirituality vs. Religion What is the difference? Does spirituality belong in a counseling setting? Broad, seemingly endless subject, yet there is limited research. It’s a growing trend in our field (particularly since the 1970’s. It has a multi-cultural dimension.

    3. Religion Definition: belief in supernatural power which governs the universe; recognition of God as object of worship; practical piety; any system of faith and worship (Webster’s Dictionary, 1990) That which is more organizational, ritual, and ideological. (Pargament, 1999; Richards & Bergin, 1997)

    4. Spirituality Define: pertinent to spirit or soul; not material; unwordly; pertinent to sacred things; holy (Webster’s Dictionary, 1990) That which is more personal, affective, and experiential (Pargament, 1999; Richards & Bergin, 1997).

    5. What do we as Counselors Know? What do we know about the importance of spiritual and/or religious beliefs to he physical and mental health of people? What should counselors know about the spiritual and/or religious beliefs of their counselees, and how should they learn about those beliefs?

    6. What do we as Counselors Know Cont’d Given the conflicting value pressures, how should a counselor handle a conflict between conventional social values and laws and religious beliefs? What should a counselor do if a client holds firmly to a religious belief that the counselor cannot endorse and thinks violates the principle of beneficence?

    7. Personal Belief System “To thine own self be true”! Know how spirituality plays a role in your life How comfortable are you with this self awareness? How well could you handle a client whose spiritual/religious beliefs run contrary to yours?

    8. Culture & Spirituality Can you name a culture with no spiritual/religious reference? Are human beings only flesh? Think of a client/counselee who seems lost or empty – Could they be lacking or denying a spiritual/cultural identity?

    9. Incorporating Spirituality into Practice Over the past 50 years, spirituality in counseling has been evolving. Humanistic/transpersonal psychology The evolution of organizations Multicultural awareness

    10. 1920-1970 Mainstream psychology focused on behaviorism Then cognitive sciences Humanistic psychology Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs Concept of self-actualization Included a spiritual dimension

    11. Organizational Evolution In 1950 two parallel organizations: Catholic Guidance Councils Catholic Counselors in the American Personnel and Guidance Association (APGA) In 1961 APGA formed the National Catholic Guidance Conference. In 1974 the Conference became a division of the APGA

    12. Organizational Evolution Cont’d The division then changed it’s name to “Association for Religious Values in Counseling (ARVIC) Several more changes to include a division from the American Counseling Association (ACA). 1993 ARVIC changes its name to Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) and

    13. Multicultural Awareness Books and articles have increased greatly over the last 30 years. More clients seen struggling with spiritual issues and perhaps were struggling with their own spiritual issues. World seems smaller Easier access via television, phone, internet, travel

    14. Multicultural Awareness Cont’d An awareness of one’s one cultural heritage Respect and comfort with other cultures and values that differ from one’s own An awareness of one’s helping style and how this style could affect clients from other cultural backgrounds.

    15. Multicultural Awareness Cont’d 90% of Americans claim either a Protestant or Catholic Religious affiliation 40% of Americans attend religious services on a weekly basis More than 2/3 of Americans consider personal spiritual practices to be an important part of their daily lives

    16. Multicultural Awareness Cont’d Among Americans claiming a religious affiliation: 56.6% are Protestant 37.8% are Catholic 5.5% are Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, or other religious backgrounds.

    17. Issues Level of Comfort for Counselor Counselor may risk alienating clients who present a spiritual issue Counselor may miss essential aspects of a client’s concern Spirituality is an aspect of client diversity

    18. Issues Cont’d Concerns about offending others Concerns about being judged Each counselor has had different experiences and different comfort levels regarding spirituality

    19. Issues Cont’d Possibility of countertransference Disillusionment with religion can interfere with your ability to counsel. Fervently religious counselors may be unable to relate to nonreligious clients. CACREP standards asserting that knowledge and skill regarding spiritual issues relevant to different counseling programs is required.

    20. Issues Cont’d Consequences of not addressing this issue: Possible unethical treatment of a client The failure of a counselor to recognize a potentially effective coping skill. May miss an opportunity to explore how their own spiritual belief systems might influence their own work. Counselors may diminish their potential to make a difference in clients‘ lives.

    21. Is Spirituality of Value to my Practice? How would it apply to: School Counselors? Career Counselors? Community Counselors?

    22. Ask Yourself… Using a 6 point Likert scale with 1=not confident and 6=very confident ask yourself & answer the following: To what degree do you feel confident addressing spiritual issues with clients?

    23. Ask yourself…Cont’d To what degree do you believe that the integration of spiritual issues in counseling helps clients?

    24. Ask Yourself…Cont’d To what extent do you experience judgmental thoughts about those who believe in different spiritual/religious values than yourself?

    25. Ask Yourself…Cont’d How difficult is it for you to not share your own spiritual values with clients?

    26. In Summary Understand the difference between Spirituality and Religion Learn what you know and what you don’t know about the subject Get training, take an extra class Keep self-evaluating Learn your comfort level and your limitations

    27. In Summary Cont’d It is a vast issue that is constantly evolving It is an aspect of cultural diversity It is a standard we are ethically required to meet!

    29. Some Techniques Focusing Prayer Wheel Forgiveness Meditation

    30. Focusing 6 Steps 1) Clearing a space: attempting to set problems and feelings associated with those problms aside. 2) Getting a felt sense: Counselor helps the client to pay attention to how the problem feels in the body.

    31. Focusing Cont’d 3) Finding a Handle: Client decides on the words that best describe the qualities of the felt sense. 4) Resonating: Client explains the felt sense at the present time and can change words used in step 3 to clarify the meaning and expression of the feeling.

    32. Focusing Cont’d 5) Asking: The client is encouraged to ask the “felt sense” an open ended question. This may bring about new meanings or answers for the client 6) Receiving: Clients are encouraged to acknowledge the differences they feel in their bodies and the new meaning that are a part of them now – called a “felt shift”.

    33. Focusing Cont’d Designed for a multicultural setting Many clients equate this method to cognitive behavioral counseling. The method suggests that individuals need not be a part of an organized religion in order to be spiritual.

    34. Prayer Wheel 8 Components 1) Count your blessings: client writes down specific things they re thankful for 2) Sing of love: clients are encouraged to sing, hum, or listen to a soothing song 3) Request protection and Guidance: from negative thoughts and deed of self and others

    35. Prayer Wheel Cont’d 4) Forgive self and others: write a statement of forgiveness for self and others for past transgressions 5) Ask for needs: client is encouraged to ask for what they need in their life. 6) Ask to be filled with love and inspiration: write a few sentences asking for more positive qualities in their life.

    36. Prayer Wheel Cont’d 7) Listen with pen in hand: Client sits quietly and write about any thoughts, images, or emotions that arise 8) Your will is my will: clients are encouraged to “let go” and trust that they will receive what they most need

    37. Prayer Wheel Cont’d Provides clients with a structured, yet flexible way to pray. Helps clients become more aware of what is good in their lives. Clients who complete the technique find solutions to their problems/concerns. Empowers Clients

    38. Forgiveness 4 Stages 1) Uncovering: explore past grievances with others and personal regrets. Helps to identify people and issues that need forgiveness. Questions such as: “Tell me about your deepest disappointments” or “…..regrets”

    39. Forgiveness Cont’d 2) Decision: requires the client to examine the consequences of holding onto past hurts caused by others or themselves. 3) Work: The client discusses the thoughts, feelings, images that may arise when considering forgiveness.

    40. Forgiveness Cont’d 4) Outcome: Counselor and client create a ritual aimed at providing closure. Counselors remind clients that forgiveness is a process that requires time. A ritual can be performed such as writing a letter and then burning it to signifying letting go of the issue.

    41. Meditation Research shows this to be an effective therapeutic tool in reducing anxiety Coping Decreasing perceptions of pain

    42. To download a copy of this presentation… Go to: PAULVI.NET Click on: GUIDANCE Click on: CLAUDIA WOLF Click on: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Click on: SPIRITUALITY IN COUNSELING

    43. Contact Information Claudia E. Wolf 10675 Fairfax Blvd. Fairfax, VA 22030 703-352-0925 X-315 cwolf@paulvi.net

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