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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d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d d 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
