A Course in Spiritual Dimensions of Counseling: Continuing the Discussion

Abstract

The author adds to the limited literature on counselor education courses that are based on the spiritual aspects of counseling b y identifying the need for such course work, comparing and contrasting 3 previously published articles on such courses, and introducing a 4th such course in detail. Novel aspects of this newly introduced course and student assessment of various course activities and assignments are highlighted. The article concludes with questions that suggest future research directions.everal authors (e.g., Burke et al., 1999;Burke & Miranti, 1995;Fukuyama & Sevig, 1997;Ingersoll, 1997;Kelly, 1995;Myers & Williard, 2003) have S emphasized the need for incorporating religious and spiritual dimensions into the counselor education curriculum and the dearth of such specific courses. Pate and High (1995) estimated that the religious and spiritual dimensions of counseling are found in only approximately half of counselor education programs. reported nearly a 50% figure for the absence of any treatment of religion in programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). These data are surprising in light of the indication in both studies of a "widespread awareness of the importance of religion and spirituality for counselor training" (Kelly, 1997, p. 10). A partial explanation for this dearth comes in the findings of a national survey of CACREP-accredited programs conducted by J. S. Young, Cashwell, Wiggins-Frame, and Belaire (2002) in which they found only 46% of CACREP liaisons perceived themselves as prepared or very prepared to integrate material related to spirituality and religion in counseling into their teaching and supervision activities. In addition, only 28% of respondents viewed their colleagues as similarly capable of addressing these issues as a component of counselor preparation. (p. 22) Support for revising the counselor education curriculum to incorporate spiritual and religious dimensions has included national polls indicating the importance of religious and spiritual values in daily life (Gallup, 1993), a survey showing that clients in a controlled study perceived "a spiritual approach similar to an approach well documented to be effective in the treatmentMichael O'Connor, Department of Counseling and School Psychology, Seattle University. Correspondence concerning t k article should be addressed to Michaei O'Connor, Counseling Department, 215 Loyola Hall, Seattle University, 900 Broadzoay, Seattle,edu Textbooks that explore the overlapping areas of psychotherapy and spirituality abound. Assagoli (1977), Grof and Grof (1989), Johanson and Kurtz (1991), Jung (1938), Tart (1983), Vaughan (1985, Washburn (1994), Welwood (1992), andWilber (1977) are but a few of these "boundary" pioneers. Recently, professional associations have heeded the call for curriculum development, evidenced by the growing number of relevant publications by the American Counseling Association (ACA; e.g., Burke & Miranti, 1995;Hinterkopf, 1998;Kelly, 1995) and ...

Integration Versus Segregation: Applications of the Spiritual Competencies in Counselor Education Programs

“…To address many of the aforementioned concerns regarding the lack of counselor training in religious and spiritual issues, many counselor educators have developed courses and/or certificate programs in spirituality counseling. Many authors have noted the positive outcomes of adding specific spirituality counseling courses (Curtis & Glass, 2002;O'Connor, 2004;Pate & Hall, 2005). In terms of postgraduate certificate programs, those that exist offer important course work specific to spirituality and counseling.…”

Multicultural Training in Spirituality: An Interdisciplinary Review

“…Although Cashwell and Young's research provides an overview of some programs, other authors have published specific descrip-tions of courses that they teach. These articles on pedagogy (Curtis & Glass, 2002;O'Connor, 2004) illustrate a variety of skills, techniques, and self-awareness lessons that counselor trainees study. Training such as this suggests that some future counselors will have adequate spiritual know-how.…”

Integrating Religion and Spirituality Into Counselor Education: Barriers and Strategies

“…In addition to integrating religion and spirituality into current courses, counselor education programs may wish to consider offering a specialized course on religion and spirituality in counseling. A considerable body of literature describes such courses (e.g., M. O'Connor, ; Pate & Hall, ), which could be used to guide programs in developing a religion and spirituality course. In fact, researchers (Baggs et al, ; Robertson, ) have found that courses that focused on religion and spirituality may significantly improve students' competence to address religious/spiritual issues.…”