expectations and communication. Rusu and Turliuc suggest that if therapists do not have a proper training to address religion and spirituality in therapy, they should adopt a collaborative approach to overcome the lack of specialized training, including adopting a posture of learning about the faith in the dialogue with the client or collaborating with and referring to the client’s spiritual community.


14


Spirituality and religion impact culture, be- liefs, and customs. Is female circumcision in Africa a result of the culture or of religion? Was the mass suicide of Jonestown a result of a new form of religion or spirituality? Could I provide therapy for the victims of these situations in a value-free position? As a therapist navigates the various layers pres- ent within the multi-layered nature of reli- gious and spiritual autonomy for clients, his or her spiritual literacy is tested. There are many questions a therapist could use to self- reflect and determine their spiritual literacy. Psychotherapists/counsellors might occa- sionally visit questions which lead to self- reflection and goal setting. As you read the following questions, note any goals you set for yourself as a result of self-reflection. The focus is on assessing and developing religious and spiritual competence in psy- chotherapy and seeking out the appropriate CECs to develop these competencies. Cur- rent research emphasizes that these issues are related to competence, ethics, boundar- ies, and best practices. Here are some ques- tions to consider:


Have I


• considered training and supervision in relation to spirituality and religion?


• developed an awareness of what I need to study next to improve my competence in using spiritual and religious elements in my practice of psychotherapy?


• integrated spirituality and religion into informed consent procedures?


• trained in and used effective spiritually sensitive techniques such as meditation, guided imagery, and relaxation techniques in my work?


• reviewed therapy models and techniques to determine if they are open to spiritual


VOL. 46 NO. 1 | WINTER 2014


inclusion?


• read the American Psychiatric Association Guidelines regarding possible conflict be- tween psychiatrist’s religious commitments and psychiatric practice?


• provided access to the spiritual support base in my geographic area and made re- ferral resource lists for my practice and for clients to have?


• sought consultation/supervision as re- quired in addressing religion and spirituality in therapy?


• developed an awareness about the breadth of religious or spiritual traditions including language and practices?


• developed skills in recognizing and avoid- ing therapist triangulation when working with multi-religious groups?


• been able to integrate spiritual literacy and spiritual self-awareness into my work as a psychotherapist?


Am I


• inviting clients to reflect, articulate, and engage in discussion about beliefs and values which influence their behaviour and relationships?


• inviting clients to talk about beliefs and religious/spiritual convictions and practices which influence their emotions, attitudes, expectations, and coping behaviours?


• inviting clients to talk about inclusion and belonging from the spiritual and religious stance?


• encouraging clients to talk about their life-affirming spiritual/religious beliefs as resources – such as the Teachings of the Grandfathers for First Nation clients?


• encouraging clients to use the networking and community building opportunity avail- able in the spiritual and religious community as a way to build their social networking and support system – especially in rural and isolated communities?


• encouraging clients to talk about socially constructed beliefs and meaning systems?


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