Spirituality in the World of Mental Health: What Say You?

An article I read many years ago, carries much personal development properties and so much more for today’s current times.  The article is from (News Wise-2013), entitled, “What Role Do Religion & Spirituality Play in Mental Health?” concerns spirituality and understanding its inclusion with mental health.

The interviewee, Kenneth Pargament, PhD (Psychology of Religion & Spirituality Expert) interviewed by The American Psychological Association (APA) indicated that more elderly and minority people seem to be more likely to look toward faith than enlisting their family, friends or even the Health Care System. Dr. Pargament further indicated  during this interview that people may move toward some form of spirituals in times of crisis and that some forms of religious coping are seen as spiritual support from God, rituals to facilitate life transitions, forgiveness…, support from religion facilities or clergy and more. Part of the essence of this article for which Dr. Pargament disclosed to APA was that religion and spirituality can have a huge impact regarding health and well-being and that within the frame of coaching an individual, this topic may be integrated, but with a delicate, professional style.

I must say, after reading this article, that I concur with some of Dr. Pargament’s  perspectives since as a professional Life Coach (focusing on Life-Skills/Life -Change) with inclusion of language choices and communication). I feel it does not hurt to ask a Client about his or her religious or spiritual inclusions, but it is important to be very transparent about this in the beginning. Part of the nature of my life coaching business is holistic (spiritual whole-body connection and interaction); however, my practices stand in honor and regard to whether the Client chooses to discuss this area of their life. There is still a lot of un-turned establishments about spirituality and mental health, but the more it is included in coaching sessions or in combination of visits per se with a psychologist the more beneficial it may be for a Client, and it is quite possible that the benefits from developing a discussion on a Clients’ spiritual connections equates to a more possible holistic, well-rounded, sustainable outcome.

Most issues that Clients have are never just one-sourced. In other words, there can exist many sources that may lead to one source or was the manifestations of a source; and that source could be spiritual. There is nothing wrong with people connecting with God for spiritual support, and it has been noted in Bible scriptures many times over that God can move through different sources to get His message across  regarding such things. However, I must say this once again, a Client must be willing to discuss this part of his or her life with whomever is providing the coaching service. There must be feelings of trust and togetherness of the Client/Coach relationships intertwining this topic. Once this Client/Coach relationship is established and secured, the more efficient the visit will become. Mental Health on the premise of spirituality is an area of unique circumstances and that which should be prompted further in professional environments that offer counseling, or a combination between counseling and life coaching and perhaps more. It is not an area of discussion that should be feared, hold embarrassment, anxiety, or judgment. The more open the society of people becomes about spiritual or religious beliefs the more for which mental health involvement noted in this genre may evolve and the Client possibly finding more peace, fulfilment, and positive commitment.

Brenda Rockward – Author, Life Skills/Life Change Coach

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