-Christa Moore -University of Montana -Psychology RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY IN COUNSELING

 Religion is the formal institutional structures that surround the search for the sacred or a higher power.  Spirituality is more focused on personal meaning and transcendence (Worthington & Sandage, 2001).  For some they are mutually exclusive, but for many they are intertwined. DEFINING RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY

 Psychological databases were devoid of publications regarding religion and spirituality until  In 1970 there was a large increase in the literature available about the topic (Powers, 2005).  Religious and spiritual issues were passed off to clergy or those in pastoral roles.  Increasing cultural diversity in the U.S. creates the need for more sensitivity and empathy towards different faiths.  Shift from body-mind dualism HISTORY

 What role do religion and spirituality (R &S) play in counseling, in both the greater therapeutic community and in Missoula specifically?  My interest in the topic lies in my faith background and my desire to go into counseling. RESEARCH QUESTION

 Approximately 32% of Missoulians claimed affiliation with a religious congregation in 2002 (not including those who consider themselves spiritual or religious outside of a congregation)(Jones et. al, 2002).  A therapeutic relationship should be safe and empathetic towards different worldviews. Wouldn’t the world look a bit different if all relationships were? RELEVANCE

 Literature review for context and background  Interviewed local therapists from different backgrounds with varying techniques and practices  Questions pertaining to their personal beliefs and how they influence their practice  Qualitative and personal analysis of the ethnographic data retrieved METHODS

 Faith Development Theory (Parker, 2011).  Ethical challenges when integrating religion and spirituality  Competence, bias, psychological standards, billing issues (Gonsiorek et. al, 2009).  Beliefs held that are harmful for client (i.e. s uicide justification, rejection of medical treatment) (Rosenfeld, 2010). DISCOVERIES IN LITERATURE

 Things in common amongst counselors…  Clients’ needs first  Importance of a trusting therapeutic relationship  Understanding the value religion and spirituality may (or may not) have for clients  Sensitivity towards clients’ direction  Recognition of the positive role religion and spirituality can play when dealing with grief, death anxiety, meaning making or other existential issues  Beliefs harmful to the clients’ well-being should be addressed and progress towards a healthier mindset should be attempted DISCOVERIES FROM INTERVIEWS

 Things that varied amongst counselors…  Personal beliefs  Openness to clients about their beliefs  Directive or non-directive styles  Counselors involved in religious communities had faced ethical dilemmas with dual relationships. INTERVIEWS CONTINUED

 I have obtained a better understanding of the different ways to approach religion and spirituality in a therapeutic setting.  Bridging the gap between the medical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of being human  Creating a more understanding and empathetic attitude towards all worldviews RESULTS AND IMPLICATIONS

 Gonsiorek, J. C., Richards, P. S., Pargament, K. I., & McMinn, M. R. (2009). Ethical challenges and opportunities at the edge: Incorporating spirituality and religion into psychotherapy. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(4),  Jones, Dale E., et al Congregations and Membership in the United States Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.  Parker, Stephen, Spirituality in Counseling: A Faith Development Perspective. Journal of Counseling and Development, 89(1),  Powers, R. (2005). Counseling and Spirituality: A Historical Review. Counseling & Values, 49(3),  Rosenfeld, G. W. (2010). Identifying and integrating helpful and harmful religious beliefs into psychotherapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 47(4),  Worthington, E. L., Jr., & Sandage, S. J. (2001). Religion and spirituality. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training,38(4), REFERENCES