I read the article "Clients' Willingness to Incorporate Religion or Spirituality in
Counseling: A Brief Report" by Diallo (2013). This article talked about eight-four
individuals dealing with addictions relating to weight, sex, food, drugs, and
codependency. They were asked whether they were willing to add religion or
Spirituality in their counseling sessions. Consequently, they agreed, but they had
to know their religion or Spirituality. The aspect to agree on was based on the
client's age and religious background. According to (Diallo 2013), religion and
spirituality play a significant role in our lives. Whether people would admit or
express it fluently. Spirituality is an awareness of a force that gives a sense of
connectedness to the universe.
Therefore, “Every client wants to be part of something greater than
themselves”(Diallo, 2013). Many scholars agree that religion and Spirituality are
essential to counseling sessions. Moreover, clients tend not to express their
acceptance of incorporating religion in their sessions, which falls on the counselor
knowing how to include it. Religion can be a tool to help clients find their purpose
and have meaning in life. Religions will help the client see the purpose and plan
God has for them.
Furthermore, training for counselors is imperative to learn about religion and
spirituality to serve the client better. The article explained most of the clients
preferred counselors who had the same faith as theirs. The real issue would be
whether there is a counselor with the same religion as every client they serve. The
counselor should keep in mind and be aware of various faiths, customs, spiritual
journeys, and beliefs. I believe that psychologists and theologists should learn
each other's professions. Therefore, to better serve the clients in the article, the
counselor had to know various religions and spiritualities for the eight-four clients.
This article was insightful and informative due to the demand for Christian’s
preference for their counselors to have a Christian background. This article could
be seen as a teaching tool to handle non-believers because the strength and
guidance of God will help me serve an unbeliever to the fullest of my faith and
ability.
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a a a a a a Reference
Diallo, A. (2013). Clients’ Willingness to Incorporate Religion or Spirituality in
Counseling: A Brief Report. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 56(2), 120–122.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0034355212439425
