Authors discuss the importance of school counselors addressing spiritual and religious issues in ethically meeting the developmental and cultural needs of K-12 students. Domains of spiritual and religious competence for professional counselors, published by the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC, 2009), are examined in relation to their relevance for professional school counselors. The authors introduce expert-reviewed Spiritual and Religious Competencies for School Counselors to supplement the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counselor Competencies (ASCA, 2012). Implications for practice are presented along with strategies for integrating the competencies into a comprehensive school counseling program.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AllenJ. M., & CoyD. R. (2004). Linking spirituality and violence prevention in school counseling.Professional School Counseling, 7, 351–355.
2.
American Counseling Association. (2005). ACA code of ethics.Alexandria, VA: Author.
3.
American School Counselor Association. (2010). Ethical standards for school counselors.Alexandria, VA: Author.
American School Counselor Association. (2012). The ASCA National Model: A framework for school counseling programs(3rd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Author.
6.
AndersonS. K., Peila-ShusterJ. J., & AragonA. (2012). Cross-cultural career counseling: Ethical issues to consider.Career Planning & Adult Development Journal, 28, 127–139.
7.
ArthurN., & CollinsS. (2011). Infusing culture in career counseling.Journal of Employment Counseling, 48, 147–149. doi:10.1002/j.2161-1920.2011.tb01098.x
8.
Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. (2009). Competencies for addressing spiritual and religious issues in counseling. Retrieved from http://www.aservic.org/competencies.html
9.
BensonP. (2004). Emerging themes in research on adolescent spiritual and religious development.Applied Developmental Science, 8, 47–50. doi:10.1207/S1532480XADS0801_6
10.
BlochD. P. (2004). Spirituality, complexity, and career counseling.Professional School Counseling, 7, 343–350.
11.
BriggsM. K., AkosP., CzyszczonG., & EldridgeA. (2011). Assessing and promoting spiritual wellness as a protective factor in secondary schools.Counseling and Values, 55(2), 171–184. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2011.tb00030.x
12.
BriggsM. K., & RayleA. D. (2005). Incorporating spirituality into core counseling courses: Ideas for classroom application.Counseling and Values, 50, 63–75. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2005.tb00041.x
13.
CookA. L., & HouserR. A. (2009). ASCA ethical standards and the relevance of Eastern ethical theories.Journal of School Counseling, 7(28). Retrieved from http://www.jsc.montana.edu/articles/v7n28.pdf
14.
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. (2009). CACREP accreditation manual.Alexandria, VA: Author.
15.
CurryJ. R. (2010). Addressing the spiritual needs of African American students: Implications for school counselors.Journal of Negro Education, 79, 405–415.
16.
DavisK. M., LambieG. W., & IevaK. P. (2011). Influence of familial spirituality: Implications for school counseling professionals.Counseling and Values, 55, 199–209.
17.
DimitrovD. M. (2012). Statistical methods for validation of assessment scale data in counseling and related fields.Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
18.
DobmeierR. A. (2011). School counselors support student spirituality through developmental assets, character education, and ASCA competency indicators.Professional School Counseling, 14, 317–327. doi:10.5330/PSC.n.2011-14.317
FowlerJ. (1981). Stages of faith: The psychology of human development and the quest for meaning.New York, NY: Harper Collins.
21.
GoodellJ., & RobinsonD. C. (2008). Through the glass darkly: New paradigms for counselors, courage, and spirituality in contemporary education.Catholic Education, 11, 522–542.
22.
HasteH., & AbrahamsS. (2008). Morality, culture, and the dialogic self: Taking cultural pluralism seriously.Journal of Moral Education, 37, 377–394. doi:10.1080/03057240802227502
23.
HaynesC. C., & ThomasO. (2002). Finding common ground: A guide to religious freedom in the public schools.Nashville, TN: First Amendment Center.
24.
HoeflingerD. (2012). Teaching students to be global citizens.Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 79, 15–20.
25.
IngersollR. E., & BauerA. L. (2004). An integral approach to spiritual wellness in school counseling settings.Professional School Counseling, 7, 301–308.
26.
LambieG. W., DavisK. M., & MillerG. (2008). Spirituality: Implications for professional school counselors’ ethical practice.Counseling and Values, 52, 211–223.
27.
LonborgS. D., & BowenN. (2004). Counselors, communities, and spirituality: Ethical and multicultural considerations.Professional School Counseling, 7, 318–325.
28.
MacDonaldD. (2004). Collaborating with students’ spirituality.Professional School Counseling, 7, 293–300.
29.
MorrisonJ. Q., ClutterS. M., PritchettE. M., & DemmittA. (2009). Perceptions of clients and counseling professionals regarding spirituality in counseling.Counseling & Values, 53, 183–194. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2009.tb00124.x
30.
PassalacquaS., & CervantesJ. M. (2008). Understanding gender and culture within the context of spirituality: Implications for counselors.Counseling and Values, 52, 224–239. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2008.tb00106.x
31.
RayburnC. (2004). Assessing students for morality education: A new role for school counselors.Professional School Counseling, 7, 356–362.
32.
Ribak-RosenthalN., & RussellT. T. (1994). Dealing with religious differences in December: A school counselor's role.Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 28, 295–301.
33.
RichardsP. S., BartzJ. D., & O'GradyK. A. (2009). Assessing religion and spirituality in counseling: Some reflections and recommendations.Counseling and Values, 54, 65–79. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2009.tb00005.x
34.
RichmondL. J. (2004). When spirituality goes awry: Students in cults.Professional School Counseling, 7, 367–375.
35.
SchellenbergR. (2012). The school counselor's study guide for credentialing exams.New York, NY: Routledge/Taylor and Francis.
36.
SinkC. A. (2004). Spirituality and comprehensive school counseling programs.Professional School Counseling, 7, 309–317.
37.
SinkC. A. (2010, January/February). Student spirituality.ASCA School Counselor, 47, 39–43. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2011.tb00027.x
38.
SinkC. A., & DevlinJ. M. (2011). Special section: Spirituality in school counseling: Issues, opportunities, and challenges.Counseling and Values, 55, 130–148.
39.
SinkC. A., & RichmondL. J. (2004). Introducing spirituality to professional school counseling.Professional School Counseling, 7, 291–292.
40.
Smith-AugustineS. (2011). School counselors comfort and competence with spiritual issues.Counseling and Values, 55, 149–156. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2011.tb00028.x
41.
SouzaK. Z. (2002). Spirituality in counseling: What do counseling students think about it?Counseling and Values, 46, 213–217. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2002.tb00214.x
42.
WolfJ. T. (2004). Teach, but don't preach: Practical guidelines for addressing spiritual concerns of students.Professional School Counseling, 7, 363–366.
43.
YehC. J., BorreroN. E., & SheaM. (2011). Spirituality as a cultural asset for culturally diverse youth in urban schools.Counseling and Values, 55, 185–198. doi:10.1002/j.2161-007X.2011.tb00031.x
44.
YoungJ. S., Wiggins-FrameM., & CashwellC. S. (2007). Spirituality and counselor competence: A national survey of American Counseling Association members.Journal of Counseling & Development, 85, 47–52. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6678.2007.tb00443.x
