Controversy over the Inclusion of the Concept of Spirituality in Patient Counseling - Essay Example

Title: Spirituality in Counselling Name Course Tutor August 21st, 2012 Introduction The debate as to whether spirituality should be incorporated in a counselling setting has drawn a lot of discussion in the recent years even though very limited research has been done regarding the subject. Even so, it is a seemingly growing trend in the field of psychology (Hayes & Cowe, 2005). The definition of religion per the Webster’s dictionary of 1990 is that it is the belief in a supernatural power that governs the universe or rather the recognition of a God by an individual as a subject of worship. It also defines it s practical piety or a system of faith and worship (Cashwell & Young, 2011). Closely related to religion is spirituality which is more pertinent to the spirit or soul, is not material and does not belong to the world (Hayes & Cowe, 2005). There was a time when the counselling process was completely separated from the realm of spirituality and religion. Many of the counselling practitioners were very hesitant in incorporating their clients’ spiritual and religious concerns during counselling for fear of being seen as inappropriately mixing the process with spiritual matters (Cashwell & Young, 2011). For this reason, most of the spiritual matters were solely left to the domain of the clergy. But with time, there has been growth of multi-cultural dimensions in counselling which has resulted to the counsellors giving more attention to the spiritual and religious concerns of the clients (Cashwell & Young, 2011). In the present study, I support and maintain an argument for the role of spirituality in counselling. Accordingly, it rests as an important and crucial factor as well as a useful sideline and especially to the clients that identify themselves primarily as spiritual. Spirituality has proved to be overly meaningful in the counselling process because it is identified as a major source of solace and peace (Miller, 2001). In as much as religion and spirituality are often part of the problem, they always end up being part of the solution to the problems (Corey, 2011, p. 117). It is therefore very important that the counsellors must attend to the spiritual needs of the clients. For most psychologists, there must be a lot of willingness on the part of the counsellor to explore the spiritual and the religious needs of the client. This is because even a client’s spiritual journey is now considered as part of his/her well being. From a holistic perspective, it is necessary that attention be given to matters of the body, the mind and the spirit as well. (Cashwell & Young, 2011) Even so, spiritual and religious matters are very relevant to therapeutic procedures, which counselling is a part of them. They must therefore be integrated and incorporated in the counselling process as it also closely associated to the mental health of the patient (Puckett, 2012). According to Shafranske, 2005:, as cited in Gockel 2011, research has demonstrated that secular, and even religious counsellors are incorporating and integrating elements of spirituality into the therapy processes. The usefulness of spirituality is that it informs the views held by the counsellor, his/her practices, interventions and solutions to the client’s problems. At the same time, it helps the counsellors not to be overtly addressed to the client’s problems (Gockel, 2011). Spirituality is also important because it is involved in solving the issues presented by the clients. In a recent study by American psychologists, it was reported that spiritualty had played a very significant role in resolving about 37% of the cases (Gockel, 2011, p. 155), an indication of how there is active integration of spirituality in the counselling process. It is also worth noting that many people with physical and mental intervention who seek the intervention of the counsellors will normally turn to spirituality in coping with their lives (Gockel, 2011, p. 155). Most of them will also prefer their counsellors to address their spiritual needs when attending to their problems. Moreover, integrating the spiritual needs of the patient in the counselling process has a profound effect of the therapeutic relationship that is established. As per Martinez (2004): as cited in Gockel, (2011), the judgements of the client on the appropriateness of the spiritual interventions that are employed by the counsellor were highly linked to the type and quality of the therapeutic relationship that is established between the two. So to say, many of the clients are usually more satisfied when the therapist is more sensitive and more open to their spiritual and religious issues (Gockel, 2011). On the other hand, those whose spiritual issues are not adequately attended to will leave unsatisfied and feeling inadequate. According to Worthington et al, (2011 p.205), the spiritual experiences of the client must be given high priority as they may have significant implications for client engagement. Moreover, gaining a clear understanding of the client’s spiritual experiences will help the counsellor in employing effective interventions to the clients’ issues in the counselling practice (Gockel, 2011, p. 155). Spirituality is also an integral part to effective counselling because is crucial for the healing process. Research has shown that many clients are more comfortable with counsellors that are open to their spiritual needs and those that will effectively integrate spirituality and counselling (Puckett, 2012). For most respondents, they indicated the reason for this is because most of the issues that affect human beings are emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the individual self (Gockel, 2011). The whole process would therefore be incomplete if the spiritual aspect was excluded. Even though most clients are more inclined towards seeking the help of a professional counsellor, most of them appreciate a counsellor’s ability to express their own personal spiritual experiences related to the client’s development and healing (Gockel, 2011). This is because personal integration is regarded as synonymous to the healing process and is also indicative of spirituality (Hodges, 2002, p. 112). Moreover, most clients will feel that the more a counsellor can explore their own spirituality, the more they are able to demonstrate love, acceptance, openness, understanding and genuineness. This allows them to meet their clients on their own wavelengths and will make the clients to feel safer (Cashwell & Young, 2011). According to Sink & Devlin (2011, p. 133), spirituality should also be incorporated in the counselling process because it is integral to the process of change. Notably, most clients will hang onto spirituality for their mental and emotional problems (Eliason, Hanley & Leventis, 2001). By so doing, they practice a variety of spiritual practices like prayer, mediation, service attendance, giving offerings to their God and channelling their energy to spiritual acts like community service and helping the needy (Gockel, 2011, p. 159). Thus a counsellor must be able to create a relationship that mirrors the client’s close connection with his/her God. Spiritual and religious values also stand as very important sources of meaning and purpose in life. They should therefore never be ignored in the counselling process (Hayes & Cowe, 2005, p. 30). It helps many of the clients to make sense of the issues that are taking place in their lives as well as their purpose of living in this universe (Corey, 2011). Religious beliefs also help the clients to get in touch with the powers that drive their actions such as thinking, deciding, willing and then acting (Hodges, 2002). It is therefore out of a client’s spiritual belief that he/she will decide to change their behaviour after a counselling session. Nevertheless, studies in psychology indicate that there are those people who identify themselves as being non-religious (Gockel, 2011). These are referred to as the atheists. Should a client be confirmed an atheist before the counselling process begins, and then spirituality would not carry such a significant role in the whole process. The whole experience will then be outside of a religious context. However, it may still play some minor role in the whole process. The Dalai Lama, for instance, recognizes the role of spiritual values in the daily lives of the people. It then acknowledges that there are a majority of people on this earth who do not believe in religion and do not hold any spiritual values (Corey, 2011). What is recommended for such people is for the counsellors to help them in becoming good and morally upright people even without religion. This will help the counsellors to produce better human beings that can demonstrate values like love, care and acceptance towards others (Sink & Devlin, 2011). Counselling the elderly:- Counselling the elderly also needs a lot of spiritual integration. This is so because most adults aged above 65 years report that religion and spirituality is very important to them (Miller, 2001, p. 231). According to many, spiritual and religious groups are a very important source of support to them (Miller, 2001). Counsellors must therefore recognize the value of religious beliefs and spiritual encouragement when handling adult issues. Of particular concern are two major issues: first is dealing with death and second is discussing the meaning and purpose of their life (Eliason, Hanley & Leventis, 2001). Counselling the depressed:- Depression is a feeling of sadness that affects people emotionally, physically, mentally, socially and even spiritually. In some situations, the science of psychology is not enough to heal one from depression and spiritual interventions ought to be employed. According to Eliason, Hanley & Leventis (2001), pastoral counselling must combine both standard psychotherapy incorporated with spiritual advice. The goal of incorporating spirituality is to facilitate the client to heal from depression (Cashwell & Young, 2011). People suffer from depression when their expectations of the world have been frustrated. It causes internal emotional and mental conflict that might raise some spiritual questions (Nickles, 2011). A counsellor must therefore be armed with the knowledge and skills to address such spiritual nightmares. The client may be feeling angry at God or at themselves. Effective counselling will use tools of psychology combined with those of religious values and give the clients hope and purpose of their lives (Hayes & Cowe, 2005). Recommendations for Future Research Even though the research in the area of incorporating spirituality in counselling has been significantly increasing, there are gaps that still exist that warrant further research and study. According to Miller and Thorenson (2003), they suggest that counsellors have the task to reverse the assumption that has been made that religion and spirituality cannot be studied scientifically. This will help in coming up with more ideas regarding the integration of the same in counselling. Gockel, (2011 p.163), also recommends the inclusion of guidelines where counsellors can be able to do spiritual assessment, identify the spiritual issues of the clients and then employ spiritual interventions in finding solutions to the problems of the clients. There is also need for the researchers to expand their views and introduce a paradigm that recognizes the clients that recognize themselves as spiritual but not religious (Nickles, 2011). This is because the current studies only focus on the religious and spiritual people and does not take into account the experiences of those who regard themselves as spiritual but not religious (Gockel, 2011). Notably, most of the studies have majorly concentrated on the Christian faith (Nickles, 2011). It is recommended that the studies should be expanded even beyond borders in order to also capture the other major world religions such as the Muslims and the Hindus. It is important that these other sects get a greater representation in the research. All counsellors ought to also put in efforts to increase their awareness of other religions because they are bound to encounter diverse spiritual inclinations during the sessions (Nickles, 2011, p. 30). Conclusion The overarching theme remains that spirituality is regarded as an integral part to any effective counselling relationship. Usually, many clients will seek out counsellors and other helping professionals who have the ability to effectively integrate spirituality and counselling (Gockel, 2011). This is so because most issues affecting persons involve the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of the individual self. In counselling, spirituality is thus very crucial for the whole healing process to take place. As such, effective counselling must address the body, the mind and the spirit (Corey, 2011, p. 117). Works Cited Cashwell, C. S., & Young, J. S. (2005). Integrating spirituality and religion into counselling: A guide to competent practice. Alexandria, VA: American Counselling Association, pp.97-119 Corey G. (2005). Integrating spirituality and religion into counselling: A guide to competent practice. Alexandria, VA: American Counselling Association pp.117-118 Eliason, G. T., Hanley, C., & Leventis, M. (2001). The Role of Spirituality in Counselling: Four Theoretical Orientations. Pastoral Psychology, 50 (2), pp.77-91. Gockel, A. (2011). Client Perspectives on Spirituality in the Therapeutic Relationship. The Humanistic Psychologist, 39 (2), pp. 154-168. Hayes, M.A., & Cowie, H., (2005). Psychology and religion: Mapping the relationship Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 8(1), pp. 27 – 33. Hodges, S. (2002). Mental Health, Depression and dimensions of spirituality and religion. Journal of Adult Development, 9(2), pp. 109 – 115. Miller, L. M. (2002). Spirituality, counselling, and elderly: an introduction to the spiritual life review. Sage Family Studies Abstracts, 24( 1),pp. 3-241. Miller, W. , & Thoresen, C. (2003). Spirituality, religion, and health. American Psychologist, 58(1), pp. 24-35. Nickles, T. (2011). The role of religion and spirituality in counselling. Campus Alberta Applied Psychology: Counselling Initiative pp.3-18 Puckett, J. M. (2012). Clients' experiences of spirituality in couple's therapy: A phenomenological approach. Lexington, Ky: University of Kentucky Libraries, pp. 3-58 Sink, C.A., & Devlin, J. (2011). Student spirituality and School Counselling: Issues, opportunities, and challenges. Counselling & Values, 55(2), pp. 130 – 148. Worthington, E.L. Hook, J.N., Davis, D.E., & McDaniel, M.A. (2011). Religion and spirituality. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(2), pp. 204 – 210. Read More