Spirituality & SW

Spirituality is a human need; it is too important to be misunderstood; avoided; or viewed as regressive, neurotic, or pathological in nature.

Social workers must recognize that a person’s spiritual beliefs, values, perceptions, feelings, and ideals are intrinsically connected to religious, philosophical, cultural, ethnic, and life experiences.

It is important that the practitioner acknowledge that spirituality in a person’s life can be a constructive way of facing life’s difficulties…Developing practice skills in addressing spirituality begins with acceptance of the values, beliefs and attitudes that are fundamental to the client.

When the client chooses to use spiritual perspectives, practitioner empathy and encouragement of client self-determinations should follow.

Clients may choose to pursue self-help group membership, church involvement, prayer, meditation, or commitment to a social action or cause.

The practitioner should be willing to incorporate goals in treatment that include spiritual values for the accomplishment of tasks.

(Sermabeikian, 1994, p. 181-182)