Spirituality and Religion in Counseling
One of the requirements of the counseling profession according to the American Counseling Association (ACA) Code of Ethics is respecting your client’s beliefs. Many people are deeply invested in their spirituality, religion, or both. While spirituality and religion may never come up in counseling, it is important to be competent to discuss the client’s worldviews as they come up. The ACA Code of Ethics compels counselors to respect a client’s dignity and worldview to support the client’s welfare.
Spiritual and Religious Competencies
The official document created by approved by The Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC). It was approved by the American Counseling Association (ACA) in accordance with the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics. The competencies encompass:
- Culture and Worldview
- Counselor Self-Awareness
- Human and Spiritual Development
- Communication
- Assessment
- Diagnosis and Treatment
As the document addresses these aspects of counseling, the themes of acceptance, sensitivity, and counselor self-awareness.
Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)
The Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC) is a division of the ACA. ASERVIC works to spread awareness, resources, and knowledge about the intersection of spirituality, religion, and counseling.
Membership to ASERVIC is granted through an ACA membership which can be accessed online.
ASERVIC Resources
ASERVIC offers publications, webinars, and conferences for free and some exclusively for members. Counseling and Values Journal is a free ASERVIC publication that explores spiritual, religious, and ethical issues in counseling. You can also access all of their past and current newsletters, called Interaction, for free online. The newsletter offers brief, insightful articles as well as notifications on new webinars and conferences.
Resources
American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA code of ethics. https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=55ab73d0_1
Cashwell, C. S., & Watts, R. E. (2010). The New ASERVIC Competencies for Addressing Spiritual and Religious Issues in Counseling. Counseling and Values, 55(1), 2–5. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-007x.2010.tb00018.x
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