description: Although spirituality is gaining increased interest in counseling, counselors are reluctant to incorporate the spiritual dimension into their practice. This text explores spirituality in counseling so as to encourage counselors to consider their own spirituality and to facilitate the enhancement of spiritual wellness for their clients. The chapters present a balance of practical and theoretical concerns. Some of the theoretical issues covered here include the interplay of spirituality, religion, and counseling; theories behind spiritual wellness; the cross-cultural issues presented by religious values; approaching clients of different religious background; the spiritual and ethical beliefs of humanists; the spiritual journey; and observers' perceptions of how one counselor handled religious issues. Articles which explore some of the more practical concerns in counseling examine feminist therapy; the spiritual journey of gays and lesbians; interreligious group encounters; views held by counselors and clergy about depressive religious ideation; multicultural awareness of religious beliefs and practices; the spiritual needs of the dying; and the counselor's role in right-to-die decisions. It is hoped that the information here will be useful to neophytes, researchers, and practitioners. Practitioners should also be challenged to explore their own spiritual dimensions.
language: English
title: Counseling: The Spiritual Dimension
titlecomplete: Counseling: The Spiritual Dimension
ratings_count: 3
publisher: Amer Counseling Assn