Spirituality in Counselling
“There are as many different definitions of spirituality as there are people on the planet.”
The term spirituality is extremely broad. The most simple definition I have heard is that spirituality is our sense of meaning-making. Some people are religious, while others think of themselves more as spiritual, while others think of themselves as agnostic or non-spiritual. I believe we are spiritual beings. I think of spirituality in terms of meaning-making and sense of connectedness with something greater than ourselves or just with life itself.
Many people all over the world attend worship in special buildings with specific teachings and practices. Spiritual groups of various kinds also gather and share teachings often in a less formalized way. Still many others will find their sense of connection through nature, music, art, dance, their ancestry, community etc. Regardless of what or how, the vast majority of people on this planet have some sense of faith or religious beliefs. Clearly we all have a sense of meaning-making and hopefully most of us feel a sense of connection with life at least in some way.
It would seem then that to not leave space within the therapeutic paradigm for a spiritual dimension would be a great injustice - if at all even possible. I live my life from a deeply spiritual perspective and have pursued many spiritual and some religious interests. I have studied the topic of the inclusion of spirituality and religion into the therapeutic process with a diverse population. I am quite comfortable helping people to explore their own sense of spirituality, or their relationship to their religion, and have substantial experience doing so.
However we define it or access our own version of it, a spiritual dimension can be incredibly resourcing and strengthening. Often it is the piece that enables someone to make it through the challenges they are facing.