In recent years, mental health professionals have recognized the importance of addressing clients’ religious and spiritual beliefs as integral components of mental health care. This webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate religion and spirituality into your therapeutic practice.
Together, we will explore the vital role that spirituality and religion can play in clinical work, in that it can offer clients a deeper sense of meaning, purpose, and connection. We will examine the theoretical frameworks and evidence-based practices that support the integration of spirituality and religion in therapy. You will learn how spiritual beliefs influence clients’ worldviews, coping mechanisms, and emotional well-being. You will also become familiar with techniques for assessing clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs, learning how to incorporate these elements into the therapeutic process. The training will also cover how to create a safe and inclusive environment for discussing spiritual and religious issues.
In addition, we will also explore the ethical guidelines and cultural competencies necessary for integrating spirituality and religion into counseling. As clinicians, the goal is to recognize the importance of respecting clients’ beliefs and knowing how to maintain professional boundaries.
By the end of this course, you will have a comprehensive understanding of how to incorporate spirituality and religion into your counseling practice, which will deepen your ability to support clients on their journey of healing and well-being. My goal is for you to gain the confidence to engage in meaningful conversations about spirituality and religion with clients, something that can only enrich the therapeutic experience of both client and clinician.
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to
- Identify the differences between spirituality and religion
- Define the role and importance of religion and spirituality in mental health
- Identify how to conduct a spirituality/religion intake interview with a client
- Gain competency in introducing religious and spiritual-based themes to clients
- Discuss the influence of a client’s religious/spiritual beliefs on the counseling process
- Understand how to employ a client’s religious/spiritual belief system during collaboration of a treatment plan
- Assist clients in accessing religious and spiritual resources
Syllabus:
Introduction
Objective #1: Identify the differences between spirituality and religion
- The nature of spirituality
- The nature of religion
- Differences and similarities
Objective #2: Define the role and importance of religion and spirituality in mental health
- The research literature on spirituality and religion
- The benefits of having a religious community/spiritual practice
- Religious trauma
Objective #3: Identify how to conduct a spirituality/religion intake interview with a client
- How to formulate the paperwork
- What kinds of questions to ask
Objective #4: Gain competency in introducing religious and spiritual-based themes to clients
- The role of ethics
- Becoming culturally competent
Objective #5: Discuss the influence of a client’s religious/spiritual beliefs on the counseling process
- How religion and/or spirituality can influence a client’s relationship with their problems
- When and how to use spiritually-based interventions
Objective #6: Understand how to employ a client’s religious/spiritual belief system during collaboration of a treatment plan
- Creating safety for the client around discussing religion/spirituality
- Fostering a collaborative relationship with the client
Objective #7: Assist clients in accessing religious and spiritual resources
- What resources has the client used in the past
- How familiar is the client with local resources
Summary / Q&A
Social workers completing this course receive 6 Ethics asynchronous continuing education credits.
For other board approvals, this course qualifies for 6 Ethics continuing education training.
Instructor: Dreya Blume, LCSW
Recording Date: May 9, 2025
CEUS On-Demand, LLC, provider #2274, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/7/2026 - 08/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 6hrs Ethics continuing education credits.
CEUs On-Demand, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7091. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CEUs On-Demand, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
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Request for Special Accommodations: Learners can request special accommodations by contacting the administrative team at admin@ceus-ondemand.com