Discussion: Spiritual Development

Furness and Gilligan (2010) stated, "There is a growing body of literature written predominantly for health professionals and more recently for social workers about the importance of developing and incorporating cultural and spiritual sensitivity and awareness in their work with others" (p. 2187). Spirituality, which may or may not include involvement with an established religion, contributes to human diversity and influences human behavior. An individual's spirituality may be an important factor in his or her social environment. As a social worker,your awareness of a client's spirituality may help increase your understanding of the client and his or her needs.

Sensitivity to and respect for your client's spiritual dimension reflects your appreciation of diversity. As you consider the potential impact of your clients' spirituality on their perspectives and behavior, you must also consider how your spirituality might influence your interactions with a client.

For this Discussion, you consider the impact of spirituality on your interactions with clients.

Post a Discussion in which you explain how considerations about clients' worldviews, including their spirituality or religious convictions, might affect your interactions with them. Provide at least two specific examples. In addition, explain one way your own spirituality or religious convictions might support your work with a client, and one barrier it might present. Finally, share one strategy for applying an awareness of spirituality to social work practice in general.

Read a selection of your colleagues' posts.

Respond to at least two colleagues in one of the following ways:

State how your colleague's examples of spirituality's influence in client relationships resonate with you. Provide support for your perspective.

State whether you are likely to use your client's strategy in your own social work practice, and explain why.