Enhancing competencies for the ethical integration of religion and spirituality in psychological services.

Abstract

Advancement of Spiritual and religious competencies aligns with increasing attention to the pivotal role of multiculturalism and intersectionality, as well as shifts in organizational values and strategies, that shape the delivery of psychological services (e.g., evidence-based practice). A growing evidence base also attests to ethical integration of peoples' religious faith and/or spirituality (R/S) in their mental care as enhancing the utilization and efficacy of psychological services. When considering the essential attitudes, knowledge, and skills for addressing religious and spiritual aspects of clients' lives, lack of R/S competencies among psychologists and other mental health professionals impedes ethical and effective practice. The purpose of this article is to discuss the following: (a) skills for negotiating ethical challenges with spiritually integrated care; and (b) strategies for assessing a client's R/S. We also describe systemic barriers to ethical integration of R/S in mental health professions and briefly introduce our Spiritual and Religious Competencies project. Looking ahead, a strategic, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive approach is needed to transform the practice of mental health care in a manner that more fully aligns with the values, principles, and expectations across our disciplines' professional ethical codes and accreditation standards. We propose that explicit training across mental health professions is necessary to more fully honor R/S diversity and the importance of this layer of identity and intersectionality in many peoples' lives. Impact StatementPsychologists and other mental health professionals often lack necessary awareness, knowledge, and skills to address their clients' religious faith and/or spirituality (R/S). This article explores ethical considerations regarding Spiritual and Religious Competencies in training and clinical practice, approaches to R/S assessment, as well as barriers and solutions to ethical integration of R/S in psychological services.

Can an apophatic meditation promote long‐term adjustment in hope? A time‐series model of centering meditation

“…Consequently, centering meditation can serve as a valuable tool within counseling as counselors support clients in their journeys toward inner exploration. Lastly, the integration of evidence‐based, spiritually integrated care within counseling practice aligns with the broader movement toward a more integrative and holistic approach to mental health care (Currier et al., 2022). By acknowledging the spiritual dimensions of clients’ lives and incorporating practices that honor their spiritual traditions, counselors can offer a more comprehensive and culturally sensitive form of therapy.…”

Promoting religious and spiritual competencies in clinical social work: Considerations, potential barriers, and supports.

“…Despite increased awareness of the importance of training on R/S competencies for social workers and other mental health providers (Currier et al, 2023), and recent efforts among social work leaders to highlight the value of such training (Canda et al, 2023), barriers and concerns remain about the integration of R/S content in Master of Social Work (MSW) programs. Social work educators and leaders seeking to promote R/S competencies in graduate training must consider and address such barriers to ensure future social workers are prepared to engage clients’ R/S in practice.…”

“…Along with training faculty to address R/S content in the classroom, attention should be given to training internship supervisors to guide students through ethically integrating R/S in practice, including informed assessment (Currier et al, 2023), especially given few practitioners received training in this area (Oxhandler et al, 2015). Ideally, an online or in-person training with continuing education units (CEUs), perhaps with an ethics focus, would be offered to practicum instructors.…”

Who owns spiritual care, and why does it matter?

“…This body of work makes it clear that it is more ethically worrisome to fail to provide spiritual aspects of care than to avoid them. Currier et al (2023), make a detailed, empirically based case for the necessity of competency in spirituality and religion as an aspect of cultural diversity. This article also outlines the steps psychologists and trainees in our field need to consider in attaining competency in this area of diversity, including awareness of religion and spirituality as aspects of diversity, awareness of personal biases in this area, accessing available resources, and appropriate consultation.…”