Integrating Spirituality into Counseling: Methods and Practices

Description

Integrating Spirituality into Counseling uses the Christian tradition as a starting point for developing a universal frame of reference and is predominantly based on an existential approach to counseling, one that is applicable to several faith traditions as well as spiritual but nonreligious audiences. The chapters of this book proceed from the theoretical toward the more practical, in a logical fashion, allowing a clear distinction between different topics, starting from meta-reflection and finishing with practical applications. The design of the book allows students to focus on whatever is of importance to them; each chapter is self-contained and can be read independently of the others. Integrating Spirituality into Counseling is designed for students of counseling, pastoral care, spirituality, theology, and chaplaincy. It will provide readers with the tools they need to work with spiritual issues across traditions. Students will also find advice for when to refer clients to religious leaders or ministers, and they’ll also deepen their understanding of the ways in which spirituality influences one’s life. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Figures Foreword Preface Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction 1 Defining Spirituality Introduction Historical Origins A Transitional Period The Contemporary Standpoint General Directions in Defining Spirituality Ontological Or Substantive Definitions Functional Definitions Mixed Definitions Author’s Typology of Definitions Existential Interpretation of the Typology Based On the Concept of Self-Transcendence Conclusions Discussion Questions References 2 Researching and Measuring Spirituality Challenges and Opportunities General Problems in Researching Human Phenomena Reductionism Complexity of Mental Phenomena Subjective Experience Non-representative Samples Problematic Relationship Between Religion and Spirituality Religiosity as a Subcategory of Spirituality Religiosity as Partly Similar to and Partly Different From Spirituality Religiosity as Different From Spirituality Specific Challenges to Measuring Spirituality Intermingling With Other Concepts A Lack of Contextual Understanding Artificial Positivity A Limited Usefulness of Correlational Designs A Constrained Choice of Research Methods Exclusiveness of Spiritual and Nonreligious Dimensions Research-Based Versus Clinical Approach Neuroscientific Study of Spirituality Challenges of Neuroscientific Research of Spirituality Subjective States Small Samples Test Bias Level of Significance Lack of Controls Remaining Challenges Conclusions Discussion Questions References 3 What Is a Spiritual Experience? Introduction The Nature of Spiritual Experiences William James and Evelyn Underhill Louis Roy Gerald May Forms of Spiritual Experience Roy’s Stages of Spiritual Experience Unconscious Dimension of Spiritual Experiences Conclusions Discussion Questions References 4 How to Understand Spiritual Development and Growth Introduction Spiritual Development in Western Theology and Mysticism Psychological Models of Spiritual Development Fowler’s Faith Stages Genia’s Model of Spiritual Growth Mabry’s Faith Styles Spiritual Grounding The Search for the Sacred: Pargament’s Model Author’s Addition to Pargament’s Model Development of Spiritual Identity Spirituality of Different Age Groups Spiritual Breaking Free Models of Linking Psychological and Spiritual Development Conclusions Discussion Questions Note References 5 From Spiritual Direction to Spiritually Integrated Therapy The History Spiritual Direction Pastoral Care and Pastoral Counseling Spiritually Integrated/Oriented Psychotherapy Select Universal Models of Spiritually Integrated/Oriented Psychotherapy Logotherapy Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy as the Search for the Sacred Integrative Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy Clinical Paradigm of Integrating the Numinous Into the Counseling Process The Ways Paradigm Some Examples of Spiritually Integrated/Oriented Therapy By Approaches A Psychoanalytic Approach to Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy Spiritually Oriented Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy A Humanistic Approach to Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy Interpersonal Psychotherapy From a Spiritual Perspective Theistic Integrative Psychotherapy Intensive Soul Care An Interaction of Spiritually Integrated/Oriented Therapy Within Various Spiritual Traditions Proposed Model to Integrate Spiritual Issues Into Counseling Conclusions Discussion Questions References 6 Ethical Considerations Regarding Integrating Spirituality Into Counseling Introduction Sperry and Mansager’s Possible Relationships Between Psychology and Spirituality The Psychological and Spiritual Domains of Human Experience and Development Are Essentially the Same, But With the Psychological Having Primacy The Psychological and Spiritual Domains of Human Experience and Development Are Essentially the Same, But With the Spiritual Having Primacy The Psychological and Spiritual Domains of Human Experience and Development Are Different, Though at Times Overlapping, With the Psychological Having Primacy The Psychological and Spiritual Domains of Human Experience and Development Are Different, Though at Times They Overlap, With the Spiritual Having Primacy The Psychological and Spiritual Domains of Human Experience and Development Are Different, Yet Neither Has Primacy, Nor Is Either One Reducible to the Other Forced Westernization Ethical Competencies ASERVIC Culture and Worldview Counselor Self-Awareness Human and Spiritual Development Communication Assessment Diagnosis and Treatment CACREP Embedded Practices Versus Disembedded Tools Supervision Assessment Conclusions Discussion Questions References 7 Spirituality Embedded in Culture The Context Multiculturalism and Spiritual Traditions Sacredness of Space and Time Architecture Music and Dance Key Concepts of First Nations Spirituality Conclusions Discussion Questions References 8 Signs of Healthy Spirituality Introduction Theoretical Considerations Healthy Spirituality in View of Spiritual Growth Practical Considerations Normative Guidelines Psychiatric Evaluation of Spiritual Experiences and Challenges for an Adequate Diagnosis Hallucinations and Delusions Religious Psychosis Affective Disorders The Spiritual Dark Night Versus Clinical Depression Scrupulosity Versus OCD Anxiety Self-Loss Conclusions Discussion Questions References 9 The Dark Side of Religion and Spirituality Introduction Spiritual Manipulation Spiritual Narcissism Spiritual Intolerance, Violence, and Extremism Spiritual Oppression Spiritual Stigmatization Trauma and Spirituality Superstition and Magical Thinking Spiritual Bypass Anger-Phobia and Dissociation Relying On a Spiritual Leader Blind Compassion Avoiding Responsibilities Exaggerated Optimism Misuse of Meditation and Prayer The Developmental Role of Spiritual Bypass Spiritual Underdevelopment Working With the Shadow Spiritual Projection Demonology Conclusions Discussion Questions References 10 Spiritual Struggle and Transformation Introduction The Variety of Spiritual Struggles Problems With the Image of God Perception of Divine Help Struggling With Meaning Struggling With Death Spiritual Struggles and Spiritual Growth Spiritual Struggle and Health Spiritual Transformation Conversion and Deconversion Spiritual Surrender Conclusions Discussion Questions References 11 Prayer Introduction Meditation and Mindfulness The Effects of Prayer in Human Life Prayer as Part of Therapy Ethical Considerations Practical Considerations Methodological Challenges in Researching Prayer Conclusions Discussion Questions References 12 Rituals Introduction The Contemporary Landscape Conceptual Clarifications The Role of Symbols – Eliade’s Hierophanies Essential Elements of Effective Rituals Time and Space Physical Action Witnesses Therapeutic Dimension of Rituals Some Practical Examples Conclusions Discussion Questions References 13 Spiritual Discipline Introduction and History Silence Solitude Fasting Spiritual Boredom Spiritual Discipline of the Christian Counselor Spiritual Discipline of the Therapist Counseling as a Spiritual Discipline Discussion Questions References 14 Sin, Confession, and Reconciliation Introduction Original Sin and Personal Sin Sin and Defense Mechanisms Confession and Its Existential Dimension Reconciliation Spiritual Healing Conclusions Discussion Questions References Index