Spirituality and counseling : an integration into practice

Mental health counselors have traditionally practiced the idea of separation, not integration, in regards to the exploration and use of spirituality in the counseling setting. Research and shifting trends have shown spirituality is not only important to clientele, but these clients also express a desire to incorporate their spirituality into counseling. Through enforcing appropriate competencies and guidelines, incorporating spirituality has proven effective within clinical settings. Counselors who do desire to integrate spirituality into counseling have limited resources available for guidance. The purpose of this paper is three fold, to provide rationale for the integration of spirituality in counseling, discuss important considerations when integrating spirituality, and provide brief technique examples of integrating spirituality in counseling