The article selected for the study is “The Ways Paradigm: A
Transtheoretical Model for Integrating Spirituality Into Counseling.”
Researcher suggest that emphasis on religion and spirituality has
enhanced awareness but has not brought about changes in practice. The
selected article aims at addressing the integration of spirituality and
religion in counseling (Stewart‐Sicking et al., 2017). A number of
counselors have reported not making use of the religious and spiritual
resources in counseling. Some counseling trainees do not feel prepared
for the social and cultural manifestations of the religion as well as the
spirituality of the clients. On the other hand, about half of the participants
report that their counselor education programs do not address spirituality
and religion.
The research question of the article that has been identified is that how
religion and spirituality can be integrated into counseling through a
comprehensive model. The article emphasizes on capitalizing on the
ambiguity to offer a comprehensive consideration of how spirituality and
religion can be constructed within counseling (Stewart‐Sicking et al.,
2017). The underlying challenge for the development of such models is
the fuzziness of the terms spirituality and religion. The strategy that the
authors have adopted is to precisely define both terms. In the chosen
article, it is considered that religious and spiritual integration will include
all the counseling aspects having a connection with something that is
transcendent, sacred, and beyond the ordinary.
According to the findings of the article, there are a number of ways that
counselors can adopt to effectively integrate religion and spirituality into
their work. One such means is the Ways Paradigm. The paradigm includes
three main dimensions, namely, a way of being, a way of understanding,
and a way of intervening. The “way of understanding” refers to the body
of counseling knowledge explaining personality structure and theory,
different ways in which people change, and abnormal and normal human
development. As spirituality/ religion are distinct yet overlapping, the
“ways of understanding” indicate that it is important to understand what
exactly it means to humans (Stewart‐Sicking et al., 2017). A bridge
between religious traditions and counseling is the psychospiritual theme.
This theme is seen in modern psychotherapies as well as in the historical
traditions for soul care. The article sheds light on the fact that when an
individual is able to understand suffering, the spiritual/ religious and
psychological insights come in contact. Other psychospiritual themes
include change, the idea of flourishing, and the idea of self.
“Ways of being” revolves around the counselor, level of empathy
expressed, boundaries set, and the values demonstrated by the
counselor. It is based upon the foundation of the spirituality of openness
and mindfulness and includes attending strategies for engaging the
spirituality of the clients. A notable spiritual aspect of “ways of being” is
the counselor views the counseling relationship through moral ideals of
compassion and love. Finally, the article sheds light on the fact that “way
of intervening” refers to how the counselor interrupts the client
dysfunction cycle and promotes healthier feeling, thinking, and behaving.
I feel that the Ways Paradigm is an ideal approach to effectively
integrating spirituality and religion into counseling. It can help the
counselors to consider questions relating to ethics and efficacy while
integrating spirituality and religion into practice.
References
Stewart‐Sicking, J. A., Deal, P. J., & Fox, J. (2017). The ways paradigm: A
transtheoretical model for integrating spirituality into counseling.:Journal
of Counseling & Development,:95(2), 234-241.
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