Developing Spiritual Competencies: Workbook for Helping Professions and Students

Spiritual and religious beliefs are often central to a person’s worldview, or the lens through which we view all of life. These beliefs are shaped over the course of time and influenced by our life experiences, significant  relationships, and the values espoused by the cultures and systems we live and grow up in. Our spiritual and religious beliefs tend to provide meaningful answers to life’s big questions while our affiliation with spiritual/religious groups often provide us with life purpose and meaningful relationships. It is no wonder that many people seeking help for mental, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and relational issues often desire their spiritual and religious beliefs to be integrated into their care. As a licensed professional counselor, I have treated countless clients who’s deeply held spiritual and religious beliefs contributed to their overall health and wellbeing. I have also counseled many people who have experienced spiritual/religious hurt, abuse, or trauma. Unfortunately, large numbers of helping professionals seem reluctant or ill-equipped to address spiritual/religious issues and topics with their clients/patients at all.

The primary goal of this workbook is to increase the effectiveness of professionals and students within the helping professions (e.g., mental health counseling, clinical psychology, social work, human services, education, medical health/nursing, and pastoral care) when working with spiritual/religious clients. This goal is targeted through a variety of readings, reflections, and writing exercises, meant to develop spiritual competencies related to the professional helper’s self-awareness. More specifically, the workbook provides opportunities for the user to explore “attitudes, beliefs, and values about spirituality and/or religion”, evaluate “the influence of his or her own spiritual and/or religious beliefs and values on the client and the counseling process”, and “identify the limits of his or her understanding of the client’s spiritual and/or religious perspective” (Association of Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values In Counseling, 2009).