1006015 - Spirituality in Couple and Family Therapy
Course Description
Extensive research documents that one’s spirituality has a positive impact on the physical and mental health of individuals. The field of couple and family therapy has demonstrated an increasing openness to acknowledging that the spiritual dimension of clients’ lives is relevant to the therapeutic process.
The course seeks to enhance one’s comfort and competence in engaging clients in the spiritual aspects of their lives. Spiritual beliefs and practices often profoundly influence family narratives and, given the diversity of clients seeking therapy, this competence is considered an important aspect of inclusiveness.
Exploring the integration of spirituality in therapeutic practice is the primary focus of the course. As elements of the therapeutic process, the phenomena of spiritual development and experience will also be explored. While the course is not designed to be an introduction to world religions, it considers and respects diverse religious and spiritual traditions.
This course is designed for counsellors, therapists, social workers, mental health workers, and faith-based practitioners seeking to build or enhance their practical skills and theoretical foundation in couple and family therapy, as well as those exploring therapy as a new career.
This course is typically recognized by CAMFT and AAMFT as a study or human development course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Articulate an understanding of the ways in which spirituality and religion intersect with contextual factors in clients' lives
- Apply conceptual frameworks for understanding spiritual and religious dimensions of clients’ lives
- Demonstrate increased comfort and competence in:
- Completing appropriate spiritual/religious assessments
- Identifying and addressing the spiritual aspects or concerns of clients’ lives
- Appropriately exploring the connections between clinical issues and spiritual beliefs and practices
- Identifying ethical issues inherent in therapy where spiritual concerns are discussed
- Identifying appropriate spiritual interventions for use in therapy
- Understand the impact of personal religious/spiritual beliefs in the therapeutic encounter
Course Topics
- The Family & Spirituality
- Education & Research on Spirituality in Family Therapy
- Spirituality in Family Therapy
- Spirituality & Connection
- Developmental Perspectives
- Spirituality & Suffering
- Compassion & Forgiveness
- Spiritual Beliefs
- Spiritual Rituals
- Spiritual Assessments
- Ethical Consideration
- Diversity / Difference
- Social Justice
- Spiritual Struggles
- Conversation with a Personal God
- Spirituality & Resilience
- Review and Reflection
Additional Requirements
- As well as scheduled instruction time, you can expect to spend approximately five to ten hours per week on course readings, activities, and/or assignments.
- Course assignments are completed up to four weeks following the final day of the course.
Assessment
| Assessment Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Class Participation | 10% |
| Conducting a Spiritual Assessment (Group) | 40% |
| Case Study: Assessing a Spiritual Issue in Therapy | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
Please note that the course assessment is subject to change.
Sponsoring Partner
Applies Towards the Following Certificates
Technical Requirements
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*Course details are subject to change.