Spiritually Sensitive Human Service Organizations How we can grow them.

Theses of Presentation 1) Social work practitioners cannot be fully prepared for Spiritually Sensitive Practice until their employer is prepared. 2. A big issue for an agency to address is to define spirituality and its relevance to your clients

Spirituality Services & Agency Policies Svare, Hylton, and Albers (2007) study Sometimes, the workers deliberately worked around agency policies to fulfill their ethical responsibilities; sometimes these efforts were in support of and other times against an agency policy related to religion. They also found that workers who were more religious tended to be more open to the clients’ spiritual and religious issues. Social workers who personally viewed religion as restrictive and limiting took the position that these issues were outside the scope of their practice. They also found out that spirituality issues may have been identified as a focus at the abstract level but not adequately operationalized. In these instances some social workers have a tendency to develop their own “personal policies about spirituality”

Focus of Presentation Defining Spirituality for your agency Identifying spiritual practice areas for your clients Assessment questions (general and specific) Spiritual interventions My Study Results Eight of nine agencies studied have had their clients bring up spiritual issues? Only one agency created a definition of spirituality or religion related to practice (a Jewish agency defined Judiasm). Eight of nine agencies ask assessment questions (usually general). Five of nine agencies offer spiritual interventions (mostly mindfulness, yoga, and meditation).

Elements of a Spiritually Sensitive Approach The approach emphasizes being proactive in engaging the spiritual and religious issues of clients when the clients identify them. Spirituality is clearly defined and distinguished from religion. The spirituality of clients and workers must always remain separate. The engagement component is the stage when many spiritual issues are first identified and sets the stage. It works at all levels of client systems—micro, mezzo, and macro. It is designed to meet the core competency requirements of CSWE. Any ethical issues or problems are always addressed. Spiritual work can often be integrated into several widely used general practice approaches (e.g., Person-Centered, DBT, Cognitive Behavioral, Motivational Interviewing, Solution Focused.)

Distinguishing Spirituality and Religion A universal and fundamental human quality. A search for purpose and meaning in life, a sense of being connected with self, others, and the universe, and an ability to transcend our immediate experience to something larger known by many to be a Higher Power beyond human power. Religion: Refers to institutional groups like Christianity and Islam that have sacred doctrine (e.g., Bible), religious beliefs, and spiritual practices (e.g., prayer) available as a resource to our spirituality.

How Agencies Can Prepare Spirituality in a Mission statement (optional) A definition of spirituality Spiritual practice themes related to helping the client population Spiritual assessment questions (general and specific) will naturally follow. Spiritual interventions will follow as well. Evaluation of spiritual interventions is necessary. Ongoing agency guidance, support, and direction are important (staff training, supervision, workshops)

What Spirituality Means to a Group of BSW Students Spirituality is the feeling of wholeness and total peace with oneself. Spirituality is who we really are on the inside. It is what we believe to be true and therefore live by. Spirituality is the essence of life where your spirit of good, bad, right or wrong flow. It is where you know who you are. Spirituality is the essence of myself and finding out the meaning of my life. It gives me personal comfort and support. I define it as who God created in me to be. It’s the foundation of who I am as a person and how I reflect on others. Spirituality means to me my beliefs and what I as a person may do. To me my spirituality is like a magical child inside my heart that is the child of God/Jesus who he loves. The most important part of my spirituality is LOVE. To me it is the highest of all powers. Spirituality to me is that inner strength and comfort of knowing that I’m not alone. I’m trying to figure out exactly what I believe in but I do believe in a Higher Power that gives me strength and an inner peace. Spirituality means motivation, hope, and future. It stands for a dream that will one day become real because of spirits within you.

Broad Definition of Spirituality Spirituality is a universal and fundamental human quality. It is manifested in a search for purpose, meaning in life, morality, and a sense of being more fully connected with oneself, others, and the world. Further, an ability to transcend our immediate experience to something larger known by many to be a Higher Power or God. Other attributes of spirituality include being inherently sacred, and connected to such virtues as compassion, love, a sense of justice, forgiveness, and humility. Spirituality can be expressed in religious or non-religious forms. Some aspects of a person’s spirituality can be observed and measured, while other aspects like the mystical and sacred may be beyond the limits of language and measure.

Spirituality in a Faith-Based Agency Possible elements to add (a Catholic perspective): Holistic – involves all aspects of human life, not just the soul Both spiritual issues related to God (vertical) and issues related to others and the broader world (horizontal) Has an element of discernment in it (seeking to find where God is in a person’s life) The clients’ spiritual development and transformation are the ultimate task of spirituality.

Common Spiritual Practice Themes Seeking Meaning for Our Lives Finding Purpose Pursuing Hope Embracing Love Seeking an Inner Source of Peace Experiencing Wonder Openness to Mystery A Personal Relationship with a Higher Power (God) Morality, Ethics, and Justice for all Personal Beliefs A Capacity for Connectedness, Transcendence, and Oneness with Others

Children and Spirituality Issues Wonder is a spiritual quality that children often express. It includes the quality of imagination. They are often in wonder about exciting new things that appear around them such as new people, unusual play objects, and animated scenes. They may be enamored or amazed about something that adults take for granted (Bible story telling (e.g., imagining Jonah and the whale, Noah and the Arc) Mystery as a concept (e.g., the empty tomb and Jesus reappearing, trinity concept) Relationship to God is another important quality for children (introducing prayer at their level, seeing God in their environment)

Adolescents and Spiritual Issues Adolescents may reveal their spirituality with qualities such as restlessness with themselves or their surroundings, the lure and excitement of freedom, an openness to learning something new, or a heightened awareness of their enjoyment and attractions in relationships with others. Meaning in life is important (who am I to become) Goals and purpose of their lives Ethics are introduced and important as they struggle with finding their own identity, differentiating themselves from their parents, and individuating. Relationship to God developing their beliefs in God and how God defines their identity

Adults and Spiritual Issues Embracing deeper love in a spouse or significant other. Relationship to God for guidance and direction in their lives. Morality and ethics are developed and shared with their offspring Capacity for transcendence in evolving relationships with friends and others Capacity for transcendence to a more God-centered life and away for self-centeredness Contributing to the larger society through work and volunteer activities

Older Adults and Spiritual Issues Finding purpose for oneself post-retirement and experiencing a new inner freedom to become who they truly are. Pursuing hope and courage to face the life ahead Seeking an inner source of peace as health declines and loved ones die Sharing their life experiences and wisdom with younger people Openness to the mystery of changes in life, the dying process, and the next life Capacity for transcendence to be closer to God and close family members and friends

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