Influence of Counselor Spirituality and Training on Treatment Focus and Self-Perceived Competence.

The concept of spirituality is not new to the counseling profession. Current researchers have suggested that spirituality has reintroduced itself as a primary interest (Frame, 2000; Polanski, 2003). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 1994) lists "Religious or Spiritual Problem" under additional conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. The standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP; 2009) require that students have experience and training in multicultural trends, including spiritual issues. Myers and Williard (2003) noted the increase in articles focusing on the need to train counselors to address the spiritual needs of their clients. Finally, Stanard, Sandhu, and Painter (2000) called for increased attention to spirituality as a part of human development. Spirituality has been defined as the capacity and tendency present in human beings to find and construct meaning about life and existence (Myers & Williard, 2003, p. 149). Spirituality is the choice to move toward personal growth, responsibility, and relationship with others (Myers & Williar & 2003). Religion has been defined as institutional beliefs and behaviors that are a part of the broader concept of spirituality (Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2000, p. 252). Young, Wiggins-Frame, and Cashwell (2007) presented the results from a national survey of American Counseling Association (ACA) members. Of the 505 respondents, 82% agreed or strongly agreed when responding to the statement "I consider myself to be a spiritual person," and 48% agreed or strongly agreed with the statement "I consider myself to be a religious person." With the increasing awareness of spirituality and the role it plays in mental health and wellness, there is a need for counselors to be prepared to address a variety of issues in their therapy sessions. Authors have explored the theoretical potential for harming clients by not addressing spiritual needs (MacDonald, 2004; Souza, 2002). Intense spiritual experiences may be more difficult for clients to express if they perceive that the counselor would judge them as being too religious or perhaps pathological (Anandarajah & Hight, 2001). Current researchers have mainly presented surveys that gathered opinions on the topic of spirituality (Young et al., 2007) and have offered thought pieces such as suggestions for ways to incorporate counselor training for spirituality (e.g., Briggs & Rayle, 2005; Cashwell & Young, 2004; Curtis & Glass, 2002). Research has also shown the positive outcomes connected with spirituality (Andrews & Marotta, 2005; Robert, Young, & Kelly, 2006), but there is a dearth of empirical research designed to answer questions about the impact of counselors' personal spiritual beliefs and experiences on their therapy focus or treatment themes. Counselors have been taught an array of competencies (Myers & Williard, 2003) to assist them in their work with clients, yet it is not known if such training has an influence on counselors' acknowledgement that clients may have spiritual concerns. To be explicit, it is not known which counselor variables (i.e., spiritual beliefs, experiences, or training) explain differences in their therapy focus and treatment theme or which variables explain differences in their perceived competence when counseling a client with spiritual concerns. The purpose of this study was to examine a sample of current practitioners in mental health to determine their professional judgments concerning clients who presented spiritual issues. Method Participants The participants for this study were selected from the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA); the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC); and a CACREP-accredited university sample of graduate students. …