Spirituality has recently begun to emerge as a critical anchor of a holistic approach to social work which views individuals, couples, families, groups, and communities in a bio-psycho- social-spiritual context. This course provides a framework of knowledge, values, skills and experiences for spiritually sensitive social work. Students will develop skills and insight in responding competently and ethically to diverse spiritual and religious perspectives in social work settings.
Utilizing psychodynamic and narrative frameworks, this course will address ways of assessing and working with an individual’s spiritual belief systems and attending to the ways in which spiritual beliefs and practices provide a window into a client’s inner world. Consideration regarding the impact of spiritual and religious systems in relation to diversity (e.g. by gender, social class, ethnicity and culture, and sexual orientation) will be included.