Mental health clients' preferences for spiritually oriented treatment

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine whether outpatient mental health clients prefer a counselor who integrates spirituality into the counseling process. Questions on spirituality and religion were included in the study to help differentiate between the two and to reduce the possibility of placing respondents into a category they may not necessarily be comfortable with. A total of 67 clients participated in the research. The majority of respondents strongly agreed they wanted a counselor who understood their spirituality. Only two respondents indicated they were not at all spiritual. Pearson r results indicated that of those that indicated they were very religious, having a counselor who understood their religion was very important to them. Respondents who categorized themselves as more spiritual than religious tended to be more interested in developing their faith than those who were religious. There were no significant correlations when comparing high spirituality with desire for religious understanding by a counselor or high religiosity and desire for spiritual understanding. This points to the importance of distinguishing between religion and spirituality and providing options for all clients and not just non-spiritual or highly religious. Recommendations were to include spiritual development and world religion coursework in the curriculum for counseling students. Discussions on ethics, personal beliefs, and the ability to assist others by integrating spiritual and or religious ideals that are not necessarily parallel to the counselors’ must take place in the classroom. Counselors can not be assumed competent in this area, as it tends to be a sensitive topic for many people. A spiritual and religious history should be included in the psychosocial interview and assessment. Clients have clearly indicated they want their counselor to understand their spirituality and religion if it is important to them, and to most of them it is. It is now the duty of the profession to deliver. Delivery must occur on the levels of personal development and discovery, training and education, integrative policies in clinics, hiring and availability of spiritually competent counselors, and coverage by insurance carriers for services including or directly related to spiritual concerns.