Integrating Religion and Spirituality into Counseling

The purpose of this course is to assist social workers, counselors, and mental health professionals in raising their level of expertise when working with clients who present with spiritual and religious issues. In addition, members of the public may use this course to enhance their personal knowledge of the subject matter presented.

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

1. Explain the relationship between clients' spiritual/religious beliefs, worldviews, and psychosocial functioning.
2. Outline the history and current role of the incorporation of spirituality and religion in counseling.
3. Describe the similarities and differences between spirituality and religion, including the basic beliefs of various spiritual systems and major world religions.
4. Discuss the influence of the counselor's beliefs, attitudes, and values on clients and the counseling process.
5. Describe and apply various models of spiritual and religious development and their relationship to human development.
6. Respond to client communication about spirituality and/or religion with acceptance and sensitivity.
7. Consider clients' spiritual and/or religious perspectives when gathering information for the intake and assessment processes.
8. Recognize when making a diagnosis that clients' spiritual and/or religious perspectives can enhance well-being, contribute to client problems; and exacerbate symptoms.
9. Set goals with clients that are consistent with their spiritual and/or religious perspectives.

This 5-hour continuing education course is available for download for professional development; if continuing education credit is desired, please see instructions included in eBook.