Religion and spirituality in group counseling: Beliefs and preferences of university counseling center clients.

Abstract

The main purpose of the present study was to explore client beliefs and preferences regarding the discussion of religious and spiritual issues in group counseling. We collected and described both quantitative and qualitative data. One major finding of this study was that on average the majority (85%) of clients at a university counseling center (N = 68) reported that religious concerns are an appropriate topic for discussion in group counseling. However, only a minority of clients reported that they would like to discuss religious (24%) and spiritual (47%) concerns in group. Open-ended responses from participants provided reasons why they would or would not like to discuss religion and spirituality in their specific groups and provided insight into the discrepancy between their ratings of appropriateness and interest. In regression analyses, client spirituality and group engagement significantly predicted clients' preferences to discuss both religious and spiritual issues. Majority religious affiliation also predicted preferences to discuss religious issues.

Integrating clients’ religion/spirituality in clinical practice: A comparison among social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and nurses

“…Further, including clients’ RS in the assessment phase opens the door for clients to freely discuss this area of their lives as it relates to their presenting problem. This can be an especially important step in building the working alliance with some clients because clients can be apprehensive of initiating a discussion of their RS beliefs, especially in light of the power differential between practitioner and client (Leitz & Hodge, ; Post & Wade, ; Post, Wade, & Cornish, ; Stanley et al., ; Taylor & Mamier, ; Tepper, Rogers, Coleman, & Maloney, ; Weld & Eriksen, ). Therefore, if not brought up by the practitioner, it may never be addressed, regardless of the important impact RS may have on their life, worldview, and presenting clinical issue.…”

A novel training program for mental health providers in spiritual competencies

“…With 78% of Americans reporting religion as somewhat or very important in their lives (Pew Research Center, 2015), religion and spirituality may be relevant in therapy for a large majority of clients. Indeed, many clients report a desire for RS issues to be integrated into their mental health treatment (Bannister, Park, Taylor, & Bauerle, 2015;Leitz & Hodge, 2013;Oxhandler, Ellor, & Stanford, in press;Post, Wade, & Cornish, 2014;Rose et al, 2001;Stanley et al, 2011). Some clients, particularly those with higher levels of religiosity, report being concerned about how their therapists might react to their RS and prefer their therapist to have a religious affiliation (Cragun & Friedlander, 2012;Gregory, Pomerantz, Pettibone, & Segrist, 2008).…”

What Shade of Spirituality? Exploring Spirituality, Religiosity, Meaning Making, and Thriving Among Latina/o Undergraduates

“…Spirituality can also be incorporated into group counseling with college students (Post, Wade, & Cornish, ). The use of such an intervention must be carefully planned and monitored, however, because sensitive topics like religion and spirituality can create conflict within the group.…”

“…The use of such an intervention must be carefully planned and monitored, however, because sensitive topics like religion and spirituality can create conflict within the group. It can also put students who belong to certain stigmatized religious groups at risk for further marginalization (Post et al, ). Therefore, counselors should prepare clients for the possibility of religious and spiritually related topics coming up during the course of group counseling, as well as educate them about the appropriateness and sensitivity of such discussions.…”