An Exploration of the Lived Experiences of Counselors who Integrate Spirituality and Religion into Therapy with African American Clients: A Phenomenological Study

<p>Spirituality is important when it comes to a client's identity, mental health functioning, treatment planning, recovery, and prevention work. However, in the United States, there tends to be a separation between the sacred and the secular. Integrating spirituality within the therapeutic setting is among counselor education and professional practices' most challenging and misunderstood areas (Stebnicki, 2017). A phenomenological qualitative design was used to collect data from participants. The study allowed licensed clinical professional counselors to discuss their experiences related to how they incorporate spirituality into their counseling sessions and how their perception and experience with the Black/African American community impacted their therapeutic practices. The purpose of this study was to give voice to the experiences of counselors working with the African American population. Using the phenomenological qualitative approach, the results provided insight into the lived experiences of counselors. The themes developed from the interviews are client empowerment, power of faith and personal healing, cultural competence and historical awareness, lack of spiritual integration training and personal faith discussion, and knowing oneself.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counselor Education

Year dc:date.available

2024

Author dc:creator

• Sutherland-Smith, Curissa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Patricia Robey, Ed.D.
• Leonis S. Wright, Ph.D.
• Kent B. Provost, Ph.D.

• Counselor Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opus.govst.edu/theses/156

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.govst.edu:theses-1155