Ethics of the Spirit: Comparing Ethical Views and Usages of Spiritually Influenced Interventions

Spirituality, religion and social work in recovery

“…"Benson concluded: »To the extent that any disease is caused or made worse by stress, to that extent evoking the relaxation response is effective therapy«" (Puchalski, 2001, p. 354). Rice and McAuliffe (2009) examined how social workers evaluate spiritual interventions. They analyzed two studies that questioned social workers about their use of spiritual interventions with clients and whether they believed that using such methods in social work practice were ethical or unethical.…”

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“…The problem with that response though, as we have seen, is it violates the mandate to provide the best possible care. Furthermore, studies show spiritual interventions are indeed taking place and are viewed as important for client health, notwithstanding the absence of clear and consistent ethical direction (Canda et al, 2004;Frame, 2003;Rice & McAuliffe, 2009;Sheridan, 2009). Therefore, professional bodies must develop and integrate guidelines for discussing spirituality and incorporate them into an ethical model.…”

“…Professionally trained addictions clinicians are often required to discuss uncomfortable subjects such as abuse, trauma, sexuality and finances during their course of treatment. However, ambivalence about discussing spirituality in the therapeutic relationship (Canda et al, 2004;Frame, 2003;Humphreys & Gifford, 2006;Kriegelstein, 2006;Rice & McAuliffe, 2009;Sheridan, 2009) confirms Miller's (1999) original labeling of spirituality as "the silent dimension" of the social science of addictions. Despite the ambivalence, since the 1990s interest in the clinical impact of spiritual interventions has increased (Sherr et al, 2009).…”

“…Despite the ambivalence, since the 1990s interest in the clinical impact of spiritual interventions has increased (Sherr et al, 2009). Research on attitudes and behaviors of clinicians has appeared in the literature, along with debate about the benefits, harms and appropriateness of a variety of spiritual interventions (Canda & Fuhrman, 1999;Gilligan & Furness, 2006;Hodge, 2011;Rice & McAuliffe, 2009). Consensus has emerged, however, on the need for an ethical model that will provide context-sensitive but systematic guidelines for ethical practice when incorporating spirituality into treatment Rice & McAuliffe, 2009;Sheridan, 2009).…”

“…Research on attitudes and behaviors of clinicians has appeared in the literature, along with debate about the benefits, harms and appropriateness of a variety of spiritual interventions (Canda & Fuhrman, 1999;Gilligan & Furness, 2006;Hodge, 2011;Rice & McAuliffe, 2009). Consensus has emerged, however, on the need for an ethical model that will provide context-sensitive but systematic guidelines for ethical practice when incorporating spirituality into treatment Rice & McAuliffe, 2009;Sheridan, 2009). In this paper, using client narratives, we outline why it is important and ethi-cally appropriate to address clients, notwithstanding the inherent challenges.…”