Spirituality

Image Copyright of Lee Wong

What is the best counselling approach? Although there can be much debate about the answer to this question, what is hard to deny is that a wholistic approach provides a powerful environment for clients to experience comprehensive reflections and insightful solutions. As Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy demonstrates, often times physical and psychological concerns are intrinsically linked in one way or another. Addressing one, often benefits the other. However, could there be more than just physical and psychological?

For many people, the phrase “body, mind and spirit” is something they can relate strongly too. Religious faith, or some form of personal spirituality, can provide people with a strong sense of meaning, purpose and direction in life. Due to this, there are significant benefits in integrating spirituality within counselling practice.

Spirituality at times may be contributing to some of our stressors or challenges in life; but for many, spirituality can also be a part of the solution. Spiritual and religious matters are therapeutically relevant, ethically appropriate, and potentially significant topics worth exploring in-depth through therapy (source).

In exploring spirituality with a clinician, it is important to be provided a safe space, free of judgement. This does not necessarily mean the clinician must share the same views as the client, however the clinician should demonstrate an openness and acceptance of the client’s experiences and beliefs.

As a counsellor, identifying as being spiritual myself, I am very open to exploring spiritual concepts with my clients. Whether clients are exploring a new spirituality; experiencing rifts with their current spirituality; feeling disconnected or judged by others in their community or support network; or reflecting on how their spirituality may impact their self-identity and their past, present and future; I encourage clients to bring these concerns to the counselling session as part of a wholistic counselling approach.

If you are interested in exploring any of this further with myself, please feel free to contact me.