Integrating Spirituality into Counseling

Syllabus
Spring, 2010

Gordon Lindbloom, Ph.D.

Contact Information

Gordon Lindbloom
(503) 768-6070
[email protected]
Office Hours: 2:00 to 4:00 Monday by appointment only.

Course Description

Spirituality, religion, the search for meaning, are central to the lives and ways of
coping with life challenges of many clients and many counselors. The importance
of preparing counselors to incorporate these issues into their work is
increasingly clear. This two-credit class will focus on understanding the ways
spirituality and religion inform and influence the lives of clients and of
counselors, and how these can enrich the purposes and efforts of both in the work
of counseling.

Through reading, reflective journaling, presentations, respectful dialogue, and

exploration of diverse spiritual orientations, traditions and practices, this class
aims to:
• Develop beginning knowledge and appreciation of the richness, diversity, and
potential power of religious and spiritual resources in the lives of counselors
and clients;
• Examine effects of these frameworks of meaning on quality of life, life
strategies, and approaches to coping with life’s challenges;
• Examine counselor strategies for assessment and intervention that seek
understanding of, and draw on client’s spiritual and religious resources.
• Increase the capacity of all participants to inquire into the frames of meaning
that shape their own understandings and to expand our capacity to
understand the similarities, differences, and rich diversity of the experiences
and views of others.

The activities of this class will emphasize dialogue, reflection, exploration and
will include experiential learning.

Goals and Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will:
• Be familiar with ethical guidelines applying to issues of spirituality and
religion.
 • Have an increased understanding of the diversity of religious and spiritual
beliefs and practices in American society and in the world.
• Be able to describe, explain, and apply conceptual frameworks for
understanding spirituality and religion, core beliefs in major religions, and
for differing orientations to differences, otherness, and diversity of these.
• Demonstrate an increased understanding of their own (as a future
counselor) religious and spiritual experience, beliefs, and practices as well
as the ability to articulate these.
• Demonstrate understanding and skill in engaging in a receptive, accepting,
and exploratory dialogue with persons whose experiences, beliefs, and
practices are different from their own.
• Develop understanding and acceptance of a variety of religious/spiritual
expressions in client communication.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and ability to explain and apply relevant
models of religious and spiritual development over the lifespan.
• Describe and understand how spiritual and religious experience are
interwoven with relationships, families, faith communities in all
traditions, communities and societies.
• Understand the role of spiritual/religious struggle in mental health and
relationships.
• Understand how religious/spiritual experience can be interwoven with
mental health issues, challenges, and disorders.
• Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of spiritual practices relevant to their
own and client well-being.
• Practice and demonstrate knowledge of a range of spiritual /religious
assessment tools and interventions.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop treatment goals that fit with a client’s
beliefs, values and practices.
• Recognize the influence of religiously based beliefs and practices in social
and political movements.

Primary Source Text

Plante, Thomas G. (2009). Spiritual Practices in Psychotherapy:

Thirteen Tools for Enhancing Psychological Health. Washington, DC.
American Psychological Association.

Reserve readings will be available online from the Watzek Library and
from the Moodle site for this course.

Regarding Respectful Dialogue

The experiences and views of each member of the class regarding spiritual and
religious matters are uniquely their own and reflect many important life experiences.
These views and experiences are normally central to each person’s sense of meaning,
personal values, and personal identity. In order to create a class environment that fosters
learning and growth, it is critically necessary that each person feel confident that her or
his views and experience will be respected. This means specifically that when a class
member speaks or writes about her/his experiences and beliefs that other members of the
class respond with their best efforts to listen carefully and appreciatively, to inquire
thoughtfully, and to first seek to understand and accept the experiences of their classmate.

While this does not mean that any of us can fully understand each other’s
experiences or views, and does not require that we agree with another person’s views, it
does mean that we offer intentional, affirming interest and an invitation to further
exploration of that person's orientation and experiences. When we give and receive this
level of acceptance and affirmation, we are enabled to reflect, question, challenge, and
enrich our frames of understanding. Deliberately practicing these approaches promotes
choice, change, and growth. Learning how to engage in this kind of dialogue and
exploration is central to the purposes of this class.

Statements and declarations of absolute, dogmatic truth are contrary to these

essential conditions for learning. While it is entirely appropriate for members of the class
to state that they feel strongly about a particular point of view or issue and explain their
bases for their approach, it is critically necessary that in doing so we acknowledge that
other members of the class may have different views that are equally important to them.
Strongly stated declarations and opinions that imply a threat, or a stance of superiority or
condemnation, or that suppress questioning and uncertainty, are inimical to a vital and
nurturing learning environment.

We will practice accepting and invitational listening, and thoughtful, respectful

expression of our own experiences and views. We are committed to this as ethical
practice with our clients. Extending the same efforts to each other will strengthen our
capacity for acceptance, perceptive understanding, and compassionate work with our
clients.

Requirements for credit:

Note: Due dates and more specific guidance regarding the content and emphasis of each
written assignment will be provided in the class sessions and the schedule.

1. Attendance and active participation.

2. Interaction, oral and written, demonstrating understanding and engagement with the
information and ideas from readings and presentations.

3. Documented practice of a spiritual practice during the weeks of the class.

4. Brief reaction and reflection notes, as requested in class sessions.

5. Reflective and integrative essays.

a. My Spiritual Autobiography

b. Exploring Spiritual and Religious Experiences Different From Mine:

c. My Approaches to Client Spiritual Issues

d. What I Have Learned from Spiritual Practices and How I Envision My Future
Learning and Growth.

Attendance and Absences

Active participation in discussions and dialogue in small groups and the entire class are
central to the purposes and the processes for learning regarding spirituality and religion.
Absences from class are acceptable only for extenuating reasons such as illness,
unavoidable emergencies, or matters of family or medical necessity. If you anticipate any
such occurrences, discuss them in advance with an instructor so that arrangements can be
made to maintain your active engagement with learning activities of the class. If you find
it necessary to be absent for unpredicted and unavoidable reasons, please notify your triad
partners and the course instructor as soon as possible. Arrangements to replace the
missing participation with your triad partners and with the activities of class may involve
supplementary work, usually in the form of written dialogue or other responsive
communication and interaction.
 Brief Bibliography
Spirituality and Counseling
Spring 2010

Abels, S. L. (Ed.). Spirituality in Social Work Practice. Denver,Colorado:

Love.
Aten, J. D., & Leach, M. M. (Eds.). (2009). Spirtuality and the therapeutic
process: a comprehensive resource from intake to termination.
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Burke, M. T., & Miranti, J. G. (Eds.). (1995). Counseling: The Spiritual
Dimension. Washington, D.C.: American Counseling Association.
Cashwell, C. S., & Young, J. S. (Eds.). (2005). Integrating Spirituality and
Religion into Counseling: A Guide to Competent Practice. Alexandria, VA:
American Counseling Association.
Emmons, R. A., & McCullogh, M. E. (2004). The Psychology of Gratitude.
New York: Oxford University Press.
Gold, J. M. (2010 ). Counseling and Spirituality: Integrating spiritual and
clinical orientations. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458: Pearson
Education, Inc.
Hinterkopf, E. (1998). Integrating Spirituality in Counsling: A Manual for
Using the Experiential Focusing Method. Washington, D.C.: American
Counseling Association.
Kelly, E. W. (1995). Spirituality and Religion in Counseling and
Psychotherapy: Diversity in Theory and Practice. Washington, D.C.:
American Counseling Association.
Miller, W. R. (Ed.). (1999). Integrating Spirituality into Treatment:
Resources for Practitioners. Washington, DC: American Psychological
Association.
Miller, W. R., & Baca, C. d. (2001). Quantum Change: When Epiphanies
and Sudden Insights Transform Ordinary Lives. New York: Guilford.
Miller, W. R., & Delaney, H. D. (Eds.). (2005). Judeo-Christian
Perspectives on Psychology: Human Nature, Motivation, and Change. .
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Morgan, O. (Ed.). (2004). Counseling and Spirituality: Views from the
Profession. New York: Lakasha Press.
Nielsen, S. L., Johnson, W. B., & Ellis, A. (2001). Counseling and
Psychotherapy with Religious Persons. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum
Associates, Inc.
Paloutzian, R. F. (1996). Invitation to the Psychology of Religion (2nd ed.).
Needham Heights, Massachesetts: Allyn & Bacon.
Pargament, K. I. (1997). The Psychology of Religion and Coping. New
York: Guilford Press.
Pargament, K. I. (2007). Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy:
Understanding and Addressing the Sacred. New York: Guilford.
Pargament, K. I., & Mahoney, A. (2002). Spirituality: Discovering and
Conserving the Sacred. In C. R. Snyder & S. J. Lopez (Eds.), Handbook of
Positive Psychology (pp. 646-659). New York: Oxford University Press.
Plante, T. G. (2009). Spiritual Practices in Psychotherapy: Thirteen tools
for enhancing psychological health. Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
Propst, L. R. (1988). Psychotherapy in a Religious Framework. New York:
Human Sciences Press.
Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (1997). A Spiritual Strategy for Counseling
and Psychotherapy. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological
Association.
Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (1999). Handbook of Psychotherapy and
Religious Diversity. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological
Association.
Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (Eds.). (2004). Casebook for a Spiritual
Strategy in Counseling and Psychotherapy Washington, DC: American
Psychological Association.
Shafranske, E. P. (Ed.). (1996). Religion and the Clinical Practice of
Psychology. Washington D.C.: American Psychological Association.
Sperry, L. (2001). Spirituality in Clinical Practice. New York: Brunner-
Routledge.
Walsh, F. (Ed.). (1999). Spiritual Resources in Family Therapy. New York:
Guilford.
Walsh, F. (Ed.). (1999). Spiritual resources in family therapy. New York:
Guilford Press.
Webb, D. (2005). The Soul of Counseling. Atascadero, CA: Impact
Publishers.
Worthington, J., Everett L., Sandage, S. J., Davis, D. E., Hook, J., Miller,
A. J., Hall, M. E. L., et al. (2009). Training Therapists to Address
Spiritual Concerns in Clinical Practice and Research. In J. D. Aten & M.
M. Leach (Eds.), Spirituality and the Therapeutic Process: A
Comprehensive Resource From Intake To Termination. Washington, DC:
American Psychological Association.
 Schedule of Topics, Readings, and Assignments
Short Form
Integrating Spirituality into Counseling
Counseling Psychology 593
Spring, 2010

Jan 11 Understanding Spirituality and Readings

Religion
Week 1
Experiences, Beliefs, Practices:

The Search for Meaning

Assignment Due: Complete and turn

in Religious Background and
Behavior Questionnaire

Jan 18 No Class: Martin Luther King Day

Jan 25 Development, Change, Growth Readings

Week 2 Assignment Due: Completed SWB Text: Introduction and Chapters 1

inventory; completed BriefCope &2
(both anonymous)
Feb 1 Differences, Diversity, Conflict and Readings
Dialogue
Week 3 Text: Chapter 3
Assignment Due: Part 1, draft,
Spiritual Auto biography

Assignment Due: Spiritual

Autobiography Draft Part One

Feb 8 Spirituality and Life Challenges: Readings

Positive and Negative Strategies
Week 4 Text: Chapter 4

Feb 15 Assignment Due: My Spiritual Readings

Autobiography
Week 5 Text: Chapter 5 and 6
Exploring Other Paths
Feb 22 Exploring through Observations, Guide for Observation, Inquiry, and
Inquiry, and Interviews Exploration will be provided.
Week 6

Mar 1 Assignment Due: My Exploration Readings

Experience
Week 7
Clinical Assessment: Orientation,
Strengths, Limitations, and
Problems

Mar 8 Spiritual Struggles and Challenges Readings

Week 8 Text: Chapter 9

Mar 15 Clinical Challenges Readings

Week 9 Text: Chapter 8

Mar 22 Spring Break